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EPC uses SDP to Make 3000+ Warranty Claims
SenseHawk Therm helps the EPC complete the gargantuan task of identifying, classifying, and remediating PV and electrical defects on a 130 MW site within three weeks.
While aerial thermography studies conducted by O&M teams post-commissioning (6-12 months into the life of the asset) were common 5 years ago, pre-commissioning studies are starting to become de-rigueur. Asset owners are realizing the benefit of catching thermal and electrical failures early, right after construction is completed.
Further, OEMs are recognizing the validity of these studies in processing warranty claims, subject, of course, to rigorous on-field analysis. Aerial thermography reports only reveal a symptom. The root cause (which ultimately determines the validity of a warranty claim) needs to be ascertained on the field through visual inspection for damage or IV curve tracing on defective modules.
Most providers that perform aerial thermography deliver simple PDF or CSV reports of thermal defects. The translation of these reports into the action required on the field is a laborious process involving printouts, guesswork regarding the defect location, and a lot of heartburn.
The digital twin of the solar power created on the SDP at the start of construction
Field technicians can navigate to the exact defect location using the mobile application
Field investigation reveals broken glass on the module – a manufacturing defect – and photographs are attached to the associated task
Impact: A seemingly gargantuan task is wrapped up within 3 weeks
The generated reports clearly indicate the resolution status of each defect – some were resolved on the field, while many (over 3500) are liable for warranty claims. The photo attachments made to each defect-related task provide a quick and effortless way to verify this. The EPC submits the Excel file to the owner, who is satisfied that the defects are either already rectified or will be rectified through warranty claims and clears this item from the EPC’s punch list. This is all done within 10 days of the thermal reports being made available to the EPC—well within the commissioning deadline.
Post-commissioning, the actual task of warranty claims remains. The serial numbers that were meticulously cataloged on the SDP prior to the thermal scan, prove to be especially useful. Each defect has the corresponding module serial number associated with it. The owner is able to simply send a list of defective serial numbers to the OEM, who is able to quickly verify the claims using evidence already gathered during the on-field investigation.
In this manner, a seemingly gargantuan task is completed in less than three weeks with the help of the SDP. The power plant operates at maximum efficiency from day one, and the usually complicated task of warranty claims is reduced to a simple checklist activity.
Over 3500 defects are identified, mapped, classified, and inspected using the SDP
