Melbourne University

Solar PV Program (>3MW)

Solar Owner Engineer

Owners Engineer for UoM >3MW solar program since 2015. Feasibility, design, tender management, quality assurance and asset management.

Key Achievements:

  • 180kW CEC award winning installation.
  • 1MW at small inner city campus with complex roof areas.
  • Multiple sub-100kW solar PV systems in difficult conditions.

Impact

Technical design file of a solar and smart energy system.

Project Scope

  • Scoping, technical feasibility, financial modelling.
  • Concept and detailed design, preliminary grid connection application.
  • Manage structural approval, heritage and planning permits.
  • Tender documentation, management and evaluation.
  • Owners engineer & project management.
  • Post installation auditing and defect management.
  • Asset management and monitoring.

Project Details

  • 180kW CEC award winning solar installation which included a ‘solar PV lab’ incorporating 10 different design combinations with and without reflective roof paint.
  • Ongoing monitoring to assess yield improvements of different design combinations with and without reflective roof paint.
  • ~1MW at a small inner city campus with multiple AC connection points and complex roof areas.
  • 125kW ground mount system at a regional campus  262kW complex roof top system at a regional campus, with multiple AC connections.
  • Facade PV including concept design and rendering of 3 facade PV systems on existing north facing facades.
A man working on electrical schematics at an ergonomic desk
A man working on solar panels on a roof

Project Challenges

  • Stakeholder management and engagement ensuring all stakeholders have a clear understanding of project design, safety and installation issues such as noise and student disturbance.
  • Safe roof hardware compliance and ensuring the roof and PV system can be safely accessed following solar installation.
  • Complex roof areas, electrical networks and grid protection controls.
  • Management of multiple solar head contractors, with various sub-contractors utilised for installation and associated difficulties to ensure safety, quality and communication.
  • Management of scope changes and variation claims from the solar contractor.
  • Heritage and building permits.
  • Engagement and communication with various University stakeholders.
  • Quality issues with installation and documentation and management of defects.

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