Kiwa ExTEL pioneers Site-Specific Inspections: Customized Testing Services
In Taiwan, most solar plant owners typically delegate solar photovoltaic (PV) system design and construction to engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors. The EPC contractors are also responsible for the power generation testing and acceptance of the system, creating a player-referee situation. It is difficult to objectively present the construction quality and efficiency of solar power plants, and there is considerable uncertainty.
According to Fred Chen, General Manager of Kiwa ExTEL, it is common practice overseas to appoint professional third parties to conduct inspections and acceptance tests for new solar plant projects. This practice helps reassure owners or financial institutions, ensuring system safety, electricity generation quality, and investment returns. Kiwa ExTEL has pioneered site-specific routine health check services (HC), tailoring packaged testing services to suit the needs of individual sites. These services assess whether there have been changes in the safety of the solar PV system and whether there has been a decline in electricity generation, ensuring operational quality. The comprehensive inspection typically covers 8 to 10 items and can be completed within a day for a 1 MW solar plant.
Kiwa ExTEL issues inspection reports and provides improvement recommendations, clearly outlining items requiring urgent attention and long-term risks. Owners can address these issues accordingly, enhancing electricity generation efficiency. Mr. Chen noted that since the onset of autumn, Taiwan has faced the threat of several typhoons. Kiwa ExTEL's inspection services can also serve as a basis for insurance companies to conduct post-disaster loss assessments (IDA).
Furthermore, with the increasing trend of second-hand solar plant transactions in recent years, Kiwa ExTEL's thorough due diligence inspection (TDD) services help mitigate risks for buyers and enhance the value for sellers in solar plant acquisitions.
Reporter: Economic Daily - Weng Yongquan