2. EEQQMM SSeerrvviicceess
TTEELL:: ++11--551199--661133--99009955
EEMMAAIILL:: iinnffoo@@eeqqmmsseerrvviicceess..ccoomm ●● WWEEBB:: hhttttpp::////eeaassttoonnss..wwiixx..ccoomm//eeqqmm--sseerrvviicceess
WWhhaatt hhaappppeennss wwhheenn yyoouu ttaakkee yyoouurr eeyyeess ooffff tthhee bbaallll
dduurriinngg ccoonnssttrruuccttiioonn ooff yyoouurr ssoollaarr ffaacciilliittyy??
DAMAGE
Building a solar facility takes the coordination of people and machines in a safe and efficient manner. As
almost all of the equipment on a construction site is being operated by human beings, it is inevitable that
incidents can and will happen. Damage to installed equipment can impact on the safety and functionality of
your site.
Damage of upper rail. Equipment operator did not have
spotter and reversed into the rail.
Severed high-voltage line. Equipment operator did not
review drawing for underground lines prior to digging.
Damage PV module. Equipment operator reversing without
spotter drove into edge of table, impacting with roadside
module.
Damaged culvert. During snow removal operations,
equipment operator drove down embanked trench
and across culvert opening, crushing culvert.
3. EEQQMM SSeerrvviicceess
TTEELL:: ++11--551199--661133--99009955
EEMMAAIILL:: iinnffoo@@eeqqmmsseerrvviicceess..ccoomm ●● WWEEBB:: hhttttpp::////eeaassttoonnss..wwiixx..ccoomm//eeqqmm--sseerrvviicceess
DESIGN
In the various stages of design, it is relatively common that site conditions may not have been fully
investigated, necessitating design adjustments during construction. If conditions warrant a revision to the
approved design, the process requires notification and acceptance by key parties of any variations. Too
often, engineering change notification is missed in the rush to complete the project on schedule, leaving the
"as-built" construction changes vulnerable to rejection by jurisdictional authorities or the end-customer.
Design issue. Washout of roadway caused by too much
water being diverted into inadequate drainage trench and
catchment area.
Design called for limestone rip-rap being installed. Civil
contractor chose to use riverstone (abundant on site),
causing the eventual collapse of slope onto the
fencing.
Geotextile requirements specified non-woven geotextile.
Contractor chose to install woven geotextile to save cost.
Area excavated to repair severed high-voltage line.
Geotechnical report did not identify underground
spring feeding the area.
4. EEQQMM SSeerrvviicceess
TTEELL:: ++11--551199--661133--99009955
EEMMAAIILL:: iinnffoo@@eeqqmmsseerrvviicceess..ccoomm ●● WWEEBB:: hhttttpp::////eeaassttoonnss..wwiixx..ccoomm//eeqqmm--sseerrvviicceess
MATERIAL HANDLING & CONTROL
Many solar projects lack the resources to properly manage receiving, storage and handling. As a result,
equipment may be received damaged, incorrect quantity or dimensions, or the materials may be left in
production areas, unprotected and exposed. Lack of control of materials can lead to schedule delays, costly
replacement of damaged parts, losses of tools and materials and degraded performance of parts exposed to
environmental conditions outside their design parameters (i.e. submerged PV modules). All of this can have
a severe impact on the project construction costs, schedule and eventual operation of the installed
equipment.
Table racking being stored on the ground, in the mud and
snow.
Wet storage stain. When galvanized materials are
stored with improper ventilation or in wet
envirnoments, zinc oxide forms. In extreme cases (as
pictured above), the zinc coating can be compromized
so that it is no longer protecting the base metal.
Connector stored in mud and then installed. PV Module stored improperly. Manufacturer specifies
flat storage, glass side up.
5. EEQQMM SSeerrvviicceess
TTEELL:: ++11--551199--661133--99009955
EEMMAAIILL:: iinnffoo@@eeqqmmsseerrvviicceess..ccoomm ●● WWEEBB:: hhttttpp::////eeaassttoonnss..wwiixx..ccoomm//eeqqmm--sseerrvviicceess
INSTALLATION
Correct installation is critical to equipment functioning safely and producing the expected output. Too often,
short-cuts are taken to save time, money or because the installer didn't understand the requirements. If
your installation isn't made according to the approved design, it exposes your project to serious safety risks,
schedule delays and expensive remediation.
Perimeter fencing installed with chain link fencing on the
wrong side of posts. In addition, large gaps were left at the
bottom, allowing access by animals and unauthorized
persons.
Table-to-table conduit carrying high-voltage DC lines
not buried to correct depth, resulting in Electrical Code
violation.
Concrete poured (free-fall) into pile hole to be mixed with
mud, snow, ice and other debris before making its way to
intended location around pile. Subsequent failure of piles
occured.
Combiner box cable installed in a position where it
loops under the leading edge of the table. Equipment
operator accidentally severed cable while grading in
close proximity to leading edge.
6. EEQQMM SSeerrvviicceess
TTEELL:: ++11--551199--661133--99009955
EEMMAAIILL:: iinnffoo@@eeqqmmsseerrvviicceess..ccoomm ●● WWEEBB:: hhttttpp::////eeaassttoonnss..wwiixx..ccoomm//eeqqmm--sseerrvviicceess
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Solar equipment operates outside 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year. Manufacturer's have
designed this equipment to be robust enough to withstand the rigours of exposure to harsh environments
for many years. Even so, there are times during construction when weather conditions create challenges.
Being familiar with those circumstances will enable you to anticipate conditions which might have an
adverse impact on your scheduled installation of these systems or adversely effect your operating
equipment after it has been installed.
Excess suspended solids in run-off water leaving site and
entering downstream catchment area.
Two days of rain washed out the granular material
under the inverter house concrete pad.
Exposed concrete jacket around pile caused by run-off from
the solar field into the roadway trenches.
Pile uplift caused by frost heave; the result of
inproperly installed concrete anchors.
7. EEQQMM SSeerrvviicceess
TTEELL:: ++11--551199--661133--99009955
EEMMAAIILL:: iinnffoo@@eeqqmmsseerrvviicceess..ccoomm ●● WWEEBB:: hhttttpp::////eeaassttoonnss..wwiixx..ccoomm//eeqqmm--sseerrvviicceess
EEQQMM SSeerrvviicceess hhaass gglloobbaall eexxppeerriieennccee iinn aa bbrrooaadd ssppeeccttrruumm ooff
ppoowweerr ccoonnssttrruuccttiioonn pprroojjeeccttss.. WWee''rree hheerree ttoo hheellpp yyoouu kkeeeepp yyoouurr
eeyyee oonn tthhee bbaallll..
How can we help?
Construction monitoring and auditing
Quality assurance management and site management representation
Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) development
Document control
Quality Management System Development
Inspection personnel
Supplier auditing and pre-shipment inspection
“...extremely professional, efficient, hard working and conscientious at all times and has been a critical
conduit between my company and our client...as well as an excellent representative of Areva.” – Tom
Carlton, Infrastructure Defense Technologies, LLC (USA)
"I worked with Steven on the Kogan Creek Solar Boost project (Australia), in which time we both had site-
based roles. Steven has a great manner with co-workers and clients. He is evidence-oriented in his approach
to solving problems, and is a pleasure to work with because this attitude helps separate myths from facts. He
is very calm, patient, and listens carefully to counter-parties - very valuable skills in the stressful
environment. I highly recommend Steven and would work with him again without hesitation." – Barnaby
Smeaton, Project Manager, AREVA Solar KCP PTY LTD (Australia)
"...investigate complaints, conduct inspections, document and follow-through on prosecutions, engage in case
management, and develop enforcement policies and practices. Steve Conducted the above duties in a diligent
and efficient manner. He is a self-starter who knows how to handle responsibility and get the job done. " –
Deb Bennett, Director of Health Protection, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (Canada)
Please call us at:
+1-519-613-9095
