As global energy demands continue to rise, solar energy has firmly positioned itself as the key element of renewable power generation by playing a critical role in reducing carbon footprints. Contributing to this development, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) sector is becoming increasingly instrumental in scaling solar energy solutions by ensuring their timely and cost-effective implementation. With the global solar capacity reaching 1100 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 and projections indicating a threefold increase by 2030, EPC projects powered by solar energy are set to be a game changer in driving sustainable infrastructural development.
The EPC framework in solar energy
In its essence, the EPC model for solar projects integrates engineering, procurement, and construction into a smooth process that ensures efficient project delivery. Each phase plays a critical role in shaping the success of solar installations.
1.Engineering: Designing for precision
The engineering phase involves site assessments, energy output modeling, and system design. Advanced tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and simulation software optimize various photovoltaic (PV) layouts to maximize solar energy capture. For example, precise alignment and tilt adjustments of solar panels via engineering can improve energy efficiency by up to 20%, depending on the region’s solar irradiance and shading conditions.
2. Procurement: Ensuring quality and timely delivery
The procurement phase focuses on sourcing durable and efficient components, including solar panels, inverters, and mounting structures. In a supply chain susceptible to disruptions, effective procurement strategies reduce delays and control costs. With solar panel costs having dropped by 90% over the past decade, this phase also plays a vital role in maintaining project affordability without compromising quality.
3. Construction: Implementing the vision
The construction phase includes the installation and commissioning of solar systems. This phase demands meticulous site management, adherence to safety standards, and coordination across teams. Successful commissioning in this phase ensures that systems operate at optimal capacity from day one, helping projects to deliver consistent energy output over their lifespan.
Addressing challenges in solar EPC projects
While solar EPC projects present immense opportunities, they also face challenges that require strategic navigation, including:
Risk management: From unpredictable weather events to financial uncertainties, there are plenty of risks in solar projects. Countering these risks requires advanced modeling tools, strong insurance mechanisms, and adaptive project management practices.
Regulatory compliance: With solar energy accounting for over 70% of all new renewable capacity additions globally, compliance with evolving regulations is essential. Delays in permits and not following adherence to environmental guidelines can significantly affect project timelines.
Stakeholder coordination: Solar EPC projects involve many stakeholders including engineers, financiers, contractors, and regulators. Ensuring clear communication and alignment across these groups is critical to avoiding cost overruns or execution delays.
Ideal practices for solar EPC projects
To address the challenges we face in solar EPC frameworks, it is important to adopt the best possible practices to ensure the smooth implementation and successful completion of all projects. One of the key strategies for this involves integrating advanced technologies, particularly Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems within the projects. These systems have become essential for the real-time monitoring of solar plants, providing immediate alerts when performance issues arise. This helps operators to quickly identify problems, minimize downtime, and maximize energy production.
Another important aspect is the early collaboration between EPC teams and operations & maintenance (O&M) teams. By bringing O&M insights into the design phase, projects can be optimized for long-term efficiency. This collaboration has been shown to reduce maintenance costs by 15–20% over the project’s lifespan, making it a valuable practice. The use of energy storage solutions like lithium-ion batteries in solar EPC projects is also becoming increasingly common, as it helps to improve grid reliability. These storage systems ensure that solar energy remains accessible even during peak demand or adverse weather conditions, making them an ideal solution for overcoming the challenges posed.
Economic and social impact of solar EPC projects
Besides being an urgent environment need, the implementation of solar EPC projects also drives economic and social progress. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the solar sector creates over 4 million jobs globally per year, with significant contributions from EPC projects. These job roles span across engineering, manufacturing, and installation, supporting both local economies and global decarbonization efforts.
Moreover, solar EPC projects are today empowering underserved communities. Decentralized solar solutions, such as microgrids and rooftop installations, provide reliable energy access in rural areas, reducing reliance on polluting diesel generators. Such projects are helping to bridge the energy gap for those communities who still lack access to electricity.
The road ahead
Looking ahead, emerging technologies such as bifacial solar panels, AI-driven performance monitoring, and modular construction are set to increasingly aid the implementation of global solar EPC projects by enhancing their efficiency and scalability.
As the demand for sustainable energy accelerates, the EPC sector’s role in executing solar projects will become even more vital. Companies that can adapt to evolving challenges—be it regulatory hurdles, supply chain constraints, or technological shifts—will lead the way in delivering cleaner and more reliable energy systems.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.