Utility-Scale Solar PV Performance, Diagnostics & Bankability – Maximising Energy Yield, Diagnosing Performance Losses, and Protecting Long-Term Asset Value

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate the technical performance characteristics of utility-scale solar PV systems and the factors influencing long-term energy production
• Analyse PV module and inverter technologies, electrical characteristics, and system configurations to support efficient system design
• Apply appropriate protection, earthing, lightning, and grid compliance measures to ensure system safety and reliability
• Evaluate and minimise performance losses related to orientation, shading, soiling, and optical effects through optimised plant design
• Develop reliable PVsyst models and produce bankable technical yield assessments (P50/P90) to support due diligence, financing, and long-term asset performance
• Measure, interpret, and benchmark plant performance using availability and performance ratio indicators
• Assess battery technologies and hybrid system configurations to improve solar plant performance, operational flexibility, and asset reliability
• Manage warranties, insurance coverage, and spare parts strategies to support long-term asset reliability and risk mitigation
• Diagnose technical faults and performance degradation using inspections, measurements, and testing methods

• Solar Asset Managers optimising utility-scale solar PV portfolio performance and asset value
• Technical Asset Managers responsible asset health, performance guarantees, and operational risks
• Performance Engineers analysing SCADA data, performance ratio, and energy yield
• Reliability Engineers investigating equipment failures and degradation mechanisms
• Solar PV O&M Engineers working on plant operations, maintenance, and fault diagnosis
• Plant Managers and Operations Managers overseeing operations, maintenance, and plant performance
• Utility Renewable Generation Engineers optimising utility-scale solar PV and hybrid assets
• PV Performance and Degradation Analysts assessing degradation trends and performance losses
• PVsyst and Yield Assessment Engineers developing PVsyst models and P50/P90 yield assessments
• Resource Assessment and Energy Yield Analysts evaluating solar resource and energy production
• EPC and Commissioning Engineers testing, commissioning, and verifying plant performance
• SCADA and Monitoring Specialists managing monitoring systems and performance analytics
• IPP Technical Teams improving plant performance, availability, and reliability
• Warranty and Quality Assurance Engineers handling equipment quality and warranty compliance

Prerequisite:

Participants should have a basic understanding of solar PV systems, electrical engineering principles, or utility-scale renewable energy projects.

• Intermediate
• Advanced

This course will provide comprehensive learning resources, including course materials for future reference. Each topic will commence with a clearly defined intended learning outcome (LO). The learning experience will be enriched through diverse activities such as quizzes, videos, and assessments, ensuring engagement and understanding. In addition to the core material, participants will have access to additional resources like articles, case studies, and tools. The course structure incorporates interactive elements, such as group discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, enhancing hands-on learning experiences. Q&A sessions will provide opportunities for clarifications and deeper understanding.

Your expert course leader is an internationally recognised renewable energy engineer, solar PV specialist, and advisor with more than 20 years of global experience in utility-scale solar power, performance optimisation, yield assessment, and renewable energy project development across Europe, Africa, and Asia. He has led technical, commercial, and financial advisory assignments for utility-scale solar PV projects. His expertise includes solar PV performance diagnostics, degradation analysis, PVsyst modelling, bankable yield assessment, technical due diligence, EPC evaluation, and long-term asset optimisation.

He served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Grid Africa, where he led the design, implementation, technical due diligence, and EPC and power purchase agreement (PPA) negotiations for solar PV across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. He also led the development of a 50–150 MW utility-scale solar PV power plant in Zimbabwe, overseeing site selection, engineering, yield assessment, procurement, financing, and negotiations with utilities, government agencies, development finance institutions, and commercial banks. He directed the technical and commercial development of a 5–20 MW solar PV project, including EPC procurement and contract negotiations, with the project receiving recognition through FMO’s Solar Sharktank Competition in Amsterdam and support from Access Power. He previously held senior positions at BP International and HSBC Corporate Investment Banking & Markets, giving him a unique ability to bridge solar engineering, performance analytics, and investment decision-making.

His international portfolio includes utility-scale solar projects in Malaysia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and South Africa, where he has conducted PVsyst modelling, energy yield estimation, performance evaluation, technical due diligence, and bankability assessments. In Sweden, he analysed a solar portfolio exceeding 100 MW, while in Malaysia he advised investment firms on utility-scale solar developments in Pasir Putih and Ipoh. He holds an MBA with Distinction from London Business School, an MPhil in Renewable Energy from Loughborough University, and is a Certified Expert in Photovoltaics and TÜV Rheinland Solar Photovoltaics Surveyor.

Unlock the potential of your workforce with customized in-house training programs designed specifically for the energy sector. Our tailored, in-house courses not only enhance employee skills and engagement but also offer significant cost savings by eliminating travel expenses. Invest in your team’s success and achieve specific outcomes aligned with your organization’s goals through our expert training solutions. Request for further information regarding our on-site or in-house training opportunities.

In our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, we will no longer providing hard copy training materials. Instead, all training content and resources will be delivered in digital format. Inspired by the oil and energy industry’s best practices, we are leveraging on digital technologies to reduce waste, lower our carbon emissions, ensuring our training content is always up-to-date and accessible. Click here to learn more.

To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualised coaching support. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It can be delivered virtually through video conference or face to face by one of our senior subject matter experts. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster. Learn more about our post training coaching services here.