The rise in demand for on-site solar and battery power has created vast opportunities for energy generation, facilitated by the expansion of established manufacturing and Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies, as well as attracting new entrants. While this trend has contributed to project cost reductions, it also increases the potential introduction of risks due to a lack of experience and focus on cost and speed.
With the potentially disastrous consequences of a fire in a populated commercial building in a dense industrial business area, it’s paramount that health and safety be a core component of any energy procurement workflow. We felt it important to highlight our approach to this critical area.
Embedding health and safety in the procurement workflow
In the execution of a solar and battery installation, there are tens of decisions made that optimise costs, time to delivery, and safety. We take a “safety-first” approach across our value chain.
EPC companies
As part of automating the procurement workflow, we prioritise vetting out and qualifying Tier 1 partners. Similarly to the methods of large scale utilities, we ensure their practices meet the highest standards of health and safety, as demonstrated by a well-established, long-term zero-accident track record. This commitment continues through close collaboration, from design & installation and into the operational & maintenance phases. If you work with an EPC and want to ensure they meet these high standards, ensure your vetting and qualification process is geared towards the specific needs of commercial rooftop solar installations. If you’re an EPC that wants to partner with us, contact us.
Hardware selection, system design, and installation
We guarantee our hardware selection, including panels and inverters, is exclusively sourced from Tier 1 manufacturers, is National Building Specification standards compliant, and incorporates cutting-edge safety features.
As supporters of the advancement of industry-wide safety standards, we endorse and adhere to the latest industry safety guidance, including the Joint Code of Practice RC62, recently published by the Fire Protection Agency to prevent and mitigate fires involving PV systems. We proactively introduce safety components and measures in the design and installation of our C&I solar systems, in careful consideration with our EPC partners. For example:
Adhering to meticulous cable management, ensuring short cable length to reduce electrical resistance and mitigate overheating.
Specifically defining panel tilt to effectively manage wind-related risks.
Securely covering all coupling connections, reducing exposure to degradation and moisture to minimise electrical arcing risk.
We also employ measures that mitigate spread if a fire does occur. For example:
Incorporate the use of fire safety relays - disconnecting the solar panels from the electrical system in the case of a fire, minimising the risk of electrical arcing and enhancing firefighter safety.
Ensure the use of non-combustible materials between the panels and the roof, that act as a safety buffer.
Satisfying a fire exposure test, e.g., DD CEN/TS 1187 test 4 or BS 476-3, to ensure that a fire would not spread between buildings via the roofs.
In the face of increases in schedule and cost, such as inclement weather delaying installations or an increased cost of safety components, our commitment to health and safety takes precedence.
Leveraging advanced technology
While safety measures are fundamental, the role of advanced technology and AI within the physical industry is to prevent, pre-empt, and respond to the existing risks. We see technology play the following roles:
Efficiency optimization: Our sites deliver continuous data on the state of components, including weather and temperature. As solar panel efficiency is highly dependent on temperature, higher temperatures reduce efficiency and increase risk. By monitoring the temperature with sensors, operators can adjust the system in real-time to maintain optimal efficiency levels and avoid fires.
Real-time data analysis and predictive maintenance: The continuous data we process allows us to use AI to not only perform instantaneous analysis, but also to identify patterns and predict future issues, creating the opportunity to pre-empt them with maintenance and system changes.
Real-time alerts and notifications: Advanced technology systems can instantly notify operators, supervisors, or maintenance teams about safety breaches, equipment failures, or abnormal conditions. Timely alerts enable swift responses, minimising downtime and preventing potential hazards.
We’ve highlighted the importance of adhering to and advancing industrial safety protocols alongside the employment of AI technology to minimise, monitor, detect, and even predict risks. It’s key to take every opportunity in the energy procurement workflow to reduce the likelihood risks will turn into real problems, and react quickly and effectively if they do.
Learn more about how InRange streamlines the renewable energy procurement process, and get an instant free solar offer for your building.