1. Managing a Photovoltaic Project
The Devils are in the Details
Dr. Jeffery Lee Johnson
CTO Todo-Solar
Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
Email: jeff.johnson@todosolar.mx Tele: 871 722 9522 Skype: todosolarmexico

2. Agenda
• Resources
• What is Project Management for Solar Projects?
• Life Cycle of Renewable Energy Projects
• Reasons Why Renewable Energy Projects Fail
• The seven Golden rules for Project Manager
• Overview of Solar Energy in Latin America
• TodoSolar and TodoSolarKids

3. Recommended Resources
• Many companies now • The number of
offer solar energy books, online articles
courses – take them and magazines on the
subject of PV has
grown 1100% since
2007
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of
thinking we used when we created them.“ A. Einstein

4. Every Client with a New Project is
Surrounded by Challenges and Options
The Demons are in the Details …
but managing Demons can be difficult and costly

5. The role of Project Management is to put things
in order and EXECUTE the Project for the Client
Project Management is
a Team Effort… not a
role assigned to project
manager
"Any intelligent fool can make things
bigger, more complex… It takes a touch of
genius and a lot of courage to move in the
opposite direction.“ A. Einstein

7. Why do Renewable Energy Projects Fail?
Source: Building a “Margin of Safety into Renewable Energy Procurements, KEMA, Inc.
 Failure to site or permit the project
 Interconnection or transmission problems
 Financial failure of the developer or client
 Lack of credit-worthy purchaser / customer
 Availability or costs of resource
 Increase or variability on capital costs
 Technology issues
 Project Delays – On gain off again

8. Logistics and Project Management are the primary
reasons for delays, cost over runs and O&M issues that
are related to technical failures
• Of those projects that are delayed or have cost over runs:
– 84% are due to funding issues
– 16% are due to technical issues
• Technical issues result from:
– Long delays from design/quote to installations result in supply chain issues that
disrupts process chain (63%)
• Panels or other components become unavailable or change specs
– Errors in installation or rework (32%)
– Errors in design (5%)
• Projects that experience high O&M issues or post installation
performance problems, 85% could have been avoided by proper
project management
Source: Building a “Margin of Safety into Renewable Energy Procurements, KEMA, Inc.

9. Rule 1: Bring project management
in as soon as possible.
The Project Manager is the
key interface to the client and
for success of the project

10. Rule 2: Everything a Project Manager does costs
money
• This statement includes the action of managing as well
• If the Demons are in the Details, then the Details must be
tamed. But taming the details can be time consuming and
costly
• Every project is different but needs a streamlined process
• By all means, Avoid a process that is segmented and
relies on “throwing the next step over the wall”. Use an
integrated approach
• Find the balance between cutting corners and micro or
over managing Every solar project is
– Program management training using an integrated approach manageable
– Use professional software
– Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.“ A.
Einstein

11. Rule 3: Project manager must
understand the role and responsibilities
• In a hierarchical paradigm. The Project Manager is
considered the boss….. Wrong Approach
• A good Project Manager knows is just another
member of the team with specialized talents – to
coordinate the execution of the projects
• A good Project Manager is more of a “traffic cop” than
the “Sheriff”
• A good Project Manager has rapport with both his
team and superiors that instills trust
• The primary goal is not to merely complete the project
but make the client satisfied and happy with his
choice
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not
everything that can be counted counts.“ A. Einstein

12. Rule 4: Project manager must know all
aspects of the job
• Every Project manager should have formal education in Solar energy
• Every project manager should have real understanding of and
appreciation for the tasks that his team members have
• I personally believe that a project manage for PV projects should
experience the process of PV design and installation directly -- do at
least once the jobs your team members are doing.
"The only real valuable thing is intuition.“A. Einstein

13. Rule 5: Communicate issues immediately
• There is a tendency to hesitate reporting
errors, mistakes or mistakes in judgment
• Hidden but known errors or concerns can
be catastrophic
• Maintain open and honest communication
with your team to encourage reporting
• NEVER CUT CORNERS to save budget or
schedule
• It does not matter as much that you make a
mistake – we all do. What matters is what
you do about it
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.“ A. Einstein

14. Rule 6: Solar Energy is not Rocket Science
• Photovoltaic systems and components
have advanced greatly in the last 3 years
• Many components are becoming “plug
and Play” (this can be both a blessing or a
curse for project management
• The solar software and education industry
has grown 400% since 2008
• Photovoltaic industry is a now a trade
industry that needs training, monitoring
and continued education – it is not a
secret science or magic
• It is not however all that much different
than installing windows, electrical circuits
and plumbing

15. Rule 7: Never forget the AWE some moment
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the
source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a
stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is
as good as dead: his eyes are closed.“ A. Einstein

16. Solar Energy in Latin America

17. Global Solar Radiation Map

18. Mexico has the third largest solar
resource in the world
Mexico has more solar
radiation than all of of
europe combined
Germany and Spain are the
world leaders

20. Latin American Issues
• Primary barrier to the Latin American solar energy market is not cost
or resources -- it is public awareness and education
• Latin American countries pay much higher prices than US
– average residential Mexico $0.22 / Kwh Costa Rica $0.28 / Kwh
• In most countries, the Electrical Utility is Nationalized
• Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina and Brazil have net metering
laws
• Argentina and Chile just announce a FIT program
• All 7 stadiums for the next World Cup in Brazil will be powered by
solar
• Industry sees Latin America as explosive new market

21. (Solar Energy made available to Everyone)
Twitter: @TodoSolar Twitter: @TodoSolarKids
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