Structural Project Review
As consulting engineers in the renewable energy sector, sbp sonne supports owner, developers, lenders, insurers and other stakeholders with chosen solar technologies and the challenges associated with them. To avoid costly system failure, to safeguard the investments and ensure cost optimization, sbp sonne offers comprehensive review services for PV tracking systems.
If a failure has already occurred, we carry out independent incident investigations/root cause analysis to identify design flaws and mitigation strategies for the future.
Engineering teams at sbp sonne have been working in the field of independent, structural-checking engineering and expert appraisals of single-axis tracker photovoltaic systems since 2017. During more than 60 tracker project reviews and more than 15 incident root-cause analysis investigations, a significant contribution was made to increasing the quality, efficiency and structural safety of the systems and the industry.
Techno-economic development of solar components
We are continually breaking new ground and developing solar technology solutions that meet the tasks at hand – both in the PV and CSP market. From early concept design to the last bolt of the serial production process, sbp sonne covers every stage of the technology development. In addition, we provide heliostat field controls and aim point strategy software, drive concepts for solar tracking, and design concentrating systems for high-temperature chemical processes as well as thermal and mechanical energy storage technologies.
Thanks to the optimization and engineering of our own PV and CSP products, we understand that to minimize cost of energy, the interdependence between optical and thermal efficiencies, area requirements, shading, piping and cabling losses and costs, etc. have to be considered. Based on this knowledge, we offer solar field engineering to customers for projects using our licensed technologies, as well as other technologies.
sbp sonne supports in the solar field engineering for PV and CSP plants, prepares and adapts planning documents like drawings, specifications, or material lists, organizes documents required for the building permit, manages tasks during the tender process, offers support during production, assembly, and installation (time management, logistics etc.), and performs static and dynamic calculations and verifications.
We undertake the structural calculations and the associated dimensioning and optimization of these elements, and we perform techno-economic analyses and optimization. Based on statistical analyses of weather data or by means of tests in the wind tunnel, we calculate loads in accordance with standards.
We develop safety concepts for the operating and driving strategy, also in case of deviations from the standardization, as well as manufacturing and assembly concepts. To verify our calculations, we build and test prototypes. Optical evaluations and optimizations are also carried out by sbp sonne.
For our clients we prepare the corresponding tender documents, and provide evidence of the “bankability” of new innovative concepts. We provide the necessary proofs for the building authorities as well as the documentation of the planning and development. For accurate tracking of the solar collectors and evaluation thereof we develop the appropriate hard- and software and are available as technical supervisor during the solar test operation.
Feasibility & optimization studies
Minimizing the cost per kilowatt-hour for the electric energy provided or maximizing ROI is the main objective of solar power plant design and optimization. Thus, it can be reasonable to accept higher investment cost if, in return, the performance and output rise significantly, or the operating expenses decrease. It may also be clever to sacrifice a little fraction of efficiency if investment costs are then reduced significantly, and LCoE is reduced. Always, it is important to take a holistic approach. To develop an optimal system or product, both, technology, and cost must be taken into consideration. Therefore, performing a techno-economic analysis and optimization is an important part of any successful development and improvement at sbp sonne.
sbp sonne is available to clients and builders as a technology consultant for all solar power generation systems. We conduct feasibility studies, efficiency and solar yield calculations, review technologies and concepts and calculate the levelized cost of electricity (LCoE).
Furthermore, we help with site search and evaluation and supervise any necessary ground surveys. For comprehensive consulting, we also collect weather data and include the evaluated results into our planning.
