This document discusses technical evaluation in CPV (concentrated photovoltaic) systems. It outlines Mott MacDonald's role as an independent engineer in conducting technical due diligence and assessing the bankability of CPV technologies. The technical due diligence process for CPV systems must go beyond standard PV modules to also evaluate the quality control and integration of the entire CPV system, including optics, tracking systems, and performance over long periods of operation. Achieving a 'bankable' status for CPV remains challenging due to the lack of extensive operational data from different locations, but compliance with quality and performance standards as well as independent review and testing can help boost investor and lender confidence in CPV technologies.

1. Technical evaluation in CPV systems
Johana Trujillo, Jose Muñoz and Victor Martinez
4th Concentrated Photovoltaics Conference and Expo. 21 - 22 March 2013

2. Contents
0 - Introduction to Mott MacDonald
1 - Independent Engineer role
2 – Technical Due Diligence
3 – Standard PV module Bankability
4 – CPV specifics - System Bankability
5 – Conclusions

3. Who is Mott MacDonald?
One of the world’s largest management, engineering
and development consultancies
We work in over 140 countries
From 200 permanent offices
On some 16,000 projects
Over 14,000 staff
Turnover of ~ $1.5bn
Employee owned

4. Multisector

5. Renewable Energy Expertise
• Solar PV &CPV
• Solar CSP
• Onshore Wind
• Offshore Wind
• Biomass and Bio-energy
• Due diligence (technical, contractual
and financial aspects)
• Owner’s and lender’s engineering services
• Market & Regulatory Support
• Feasibility and optimisation studies
• Resource assessment and energy yield analysis
• Environmental, Planning and Permitting
• Technical Specification, Conceptual designs
• Project development and management

6. The Independent Engineer Role
• Provide an objective view on a project or a technology for the
benefit of investors and/or lenders
• Project due diligence and/or technology bankability
assessment
• Identify any project risk and potential mitigants
• Identify areas for improvement – technical
• Identify areas for improvement – commercial
• Provide support with commissioning and testing
• Provide independent reporting

7. Technical Due Diligence
Aim of the TDD:
• To understand project risks
• To assess technology choice, project design and site layout
• To assess plant performance over the debt finance term
• To assess permitting and project delivery timetables
Provide Comfort and Security to the Lenders
Help developers to improve the project
Healthy CPV Project
-technically and economically-

8. Technical Due Diligence
TDD standard SoW:
• Review of the project participants
• Review of the proposed technology and project design
• Independent energy yield assessments
• EPC and O&M contracts review
• Project schedule
• Review permitting status and environmental issues
• Review of the technical inputs to the financial model

9. • Technical specifications
• Certifications
• Warranties
• Track record
• Operational data
• Technical specifications
• Certifications
• Warranties
• Track record
• Operational data
Technical Due Diligence
Review of the proposed technology:
Available?
No
Bankability
Assessment
Yes
Review and analysis

10. Standard PV Module Bankability
1. Factory Quality Management
2. Manufacturing Process
3. Quality control and Testing
1. Factory Quality Management
2. Manufacturing Process
3. Quality control and Testing

11. Standard PV Module Bankability
1. Factory Quality Management
2. Manufacturing Process
3. Quality control and Testing

12. 1. Factory Quality Management
2. Manufacturing Process
3. Quality control and Testing
Due to CPV specific characteristics both the
Bankability Assessment and the Technical Due Diligence
processes should be extended to a CPV system level
Standard PV Module Bankability

13. CPV Specifics System Level
• Bankability Assessment
– Factory Quality Management
– CPV module Manufacturing Process
– Quality Control and Testing
• Technical Due Diligence
– Technology Review
– Project Design Review
– Independent energy yield
assessments
– EPC and O&M contracts review
– Project schedule
– Review permitting status and
environmental issues
– Review of the technical inputs to
the financial model

14. CPV System Bankability
• Critical system components’ integration
– Cell // Optic elements
– Primary // Secondary optics design
– Thermal disipation
– Module // tracker Achieve a single in-plane surface

15. CPV System Bankability
• High accuracy tracking system
– Deformation analysis
– CPV module acceptance angle
– Open // Close loop control System

16. CPV System Bankability
• MPP tracking System
– Inverter MPP tracking system
– Reduction of the connection time
– Integration MPP tracking // mechanical tracking

17. CPV System Bankability
• Humidity Control System
• Long Term Degradation
– Lack of long term operational data Rely on tests
– Tests under IEC 62108 simulate long term performance
– Perform harder tests than the ones defined under IEC standard provides
extra comfort (as flat PV manufacturers)

18. Conclusions
• Although CPV is not a new technology is still hard for it to achieve a
‘bankable’ status
• Prototype or CPV plants operational data helps its bankability process
• Data from different locations provide confidence
• The quality standards of the manufacturing facility of the CPV modules will
play an important role at this stage of development for CPV.
• The individual quality certifications of the CPV system components is very
important
• Compliance with International standards is a must.
• Independent 3rd party analysis provide comfort to lenders
• CPV technology has strong development possibilities and could have
advantages where innovation solutions are Sought.

19. www.mottmac.com
Victor Martinez
victor.martinez@mottmac.com