Role of Professional Vigilance in Design and Construction—A Case Study of Solar Projects

Abstract

India at present being one of the fastest growing economy attracts businesses and investors across the globe in view of several advantages like availability of qualified manpower, technology, and skilled team besides having excellent communication system. Business inflow has resulted in an exponentially increasing demand for energy. While the conventional fossil fuels are a quick fix but due to the awareness of global warming and climate change, gradual shift toward harnessing renewable energy such as solar power have been picking the pace in many developing nations including India. Massive establishment of solar power plants including setting up of high-scale solar park is a viable option. However, there are several challenges in implementing the same. The present work highlights the crucial factors to be observed by the field professionals including the time planning, design and project execution, wherein even the slightest of dilution can lead to a major disaster. Therefore, it requires utmost attention and care at all levels for ensuring proper setting up and functioning of power plants in various climatic conditions across India. The present case study reveals that lack of vigilance by concerned professionals during all the stages of work right from investigations, design, and construction is a major setback to such state-of-the-art projects. Lack of proper approach and understanding the ground realities have resulted in failure of foundations of solar panels module mounting structures. Ultimately, failures resulted in loss of power generation, reduction in revenues, and, in turn, incurring additional cost for rectification works to restore it back. The study carried out at the site has identified the contributing factors for the failures for the solar plant in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Furthermore, corrective and preventive designs were suggested and implemented at site. The performance of these designs is found to be safe after completion of 1 year of monitoring. The designs were reviewed independently and accepted.