Solar panels are typically designed to last for 20 years or so. But like any equipment, solar panels and the solar PV power plant’s control systems need regular inspection and preventive maintenance to ensure the maximum energy production of the solar facility every day.
At Nor-Cal Controls, we’re not only experts in providing control systems to the commercial solar industry. Our engineers are also experienced in solar PV operations and maintenance. We share our knowledge through a series of training on solar operations fundamentals, equipping aspiring and existing operators with the skills they need to oversee an entire solar park proficiently. More importantly, we deliver support services to help make sure their operations work optimally at all times.
System Startup and Commissioning Support
We understand the importance of having a thoroughly tested system before your plant’s commercial operation date or COD. Our team of engineers, field technicians, and project managers provide engineering support services in all the key phases of your plant’s start of operation. We deliver:
- Site supervision
- Pre-commissioning and validation testing
- Operational testing
- Operation and maintenance training
- Post-commissioning support and handover
Implementation of Control Functions
If you want to change or add control functions to your existing SCADA or DAS system, we’re the team you can trust. We begin by auditing your site’s control system to determine what you need to achieve the functionality you requested. We then propose system design modifications, along with the necessary additional software or hardware. Once the modification plan is approved, our team will fully implement and test all the changes that will be made to ensure that the new functions will be working properly.
UL Panel Fabrication
Solar panels with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) marks undergo testing for product safety compliance. Our fully equipped panel fabrication facility and our team of experienced technicians are ready to do PLC or SCADA panel build-outs that comply with the UL 508A safety standards.
Network and Security Services
We have a group of networking engineers experienced in both traditional and modern network and security technologies for power plant facilities. Count on us to deliver superior support services, including:
- Network system architecture design audit
- New system design to support bandwidth and security requirements
- Network troubleshooting services
- Device configuration, including router, switch, and firewall configurations
Surveillance Systems
It is critical for solar parks to observe access protection measures like site surveillance to maintain operational efficiency and achieve considerable return on investment. Nor-Cal Controls provides complete design engineering for access protection and utility-grade solar plant video surveillance.
Radio Telemetry Systems
If you need a new wireless RF communication infrastructure in your existing or new solar power plant, our engineers will design and implement the right radio telemetry system. Our team provides scalable and reliable radio telemetry systems, ensuring the safe and timely delivery of critical information in the plant to the right personnel.
Revenue Metering
As CAISO’s certified third-party RIG and metering provider, we have the experience and resources to guide you through every step of the New Resource Implementation (NRI) approval process. No matter the size of your new project, we can handle its renewable energy revenue metering needs.
EMS for Battery Storage
Nor-Cal Controls delivers turnkey engineering services to help integrate complete energy management systems (EMS) to the battery storage system and inverters of a solar power plant. Our EMS solutions exceed all utility requirements and comply with industry standards and specifications.
Whatever you need to start a solar power plant operation or keep it efficient, Nor-Cal Controls is here to support you with topnotch engineering services. Give us a call today to know more about our solar PV operation and maintenance services.