Workshop on Rooftop Solar Quality Management and Performance Monitoring for Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority
The workshop on Rooftop Solar Quality Management and Performance Monitoring, held on August 1st, 2024, was a follow-up to the successful training on renewable energy integration and procurement conducted by USAID in March 2024 in Colombo. The event brought together key officials from the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) to present the importance of quality, safety and generation data monitoring in achieving optimum performance from a rooftop solar installation.
The workshop organised by USAID’s South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) program also shared insights from the rooftop solar Vendor Rating Program (VRP) from India, which is a robust initiative designed to address critical quality and safety concerns in rooftop solar installations.
Ms. Monali Zeya Hazra, Regional Energy & Clean Energy Specialist, USAID/India, set the tone for the day’s discussions. She highlighted the VRP being implemented in India, which aims at enhancing rooftop solar installation quality, safety and performance. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of supporting Sri Lanka in developing a similar program by sharing India’s experiences and insights from the VRP.
Mr. Ranjith Sepala, Chairman of SLSEA, provided valuable insights into the importance of quality in rooftop solar projects. He stressed on the need for a vendor rating program in Sri Lanka to maintain quality and safety in solar installations, given the extensive growth in rooftop solar systems. He also shared that Sri Lanka aims to install 4000 MW of rooftop solar capacity in the next few years and VRP can play an important role in ensuring quality, efficiency, and performance of these systems.
The workshop provided an in-depth understanding of the VRP’s methodology and its benefits. The VRP is a multi-faceted evaluation system that assesses vendors based on three key pillars- technical expertise, financial strength, and on-site performance. The program’s methodology was explored, highlighting the rigorous criteria used to evaluate vendors and the robust documentation requirements.
A key highlight of the workshop was the emphasis on the benefits of real time generation data monitoring, crucial for ensuring optimal system performance and identifying potential issues in a timely manner. The presentation illustrated how remote monitoring can aid in demand forecasting, grid management, and long-term resource planning.
SLSEA officials expressed keen interest in exploring the VRP as a model for improving rooftop solar quality in Sri Lanka. Recognizing the current scale of rooftop solar deployment in the country and the potential for future growth, the workshop participants acknowledged the importance of a phased implementation approach.
The workshop concluded with a discussion on next steps, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort between SLSEA and USAID. Key areas of focus included:
- Capacity Building: Working with installers to enhance their understanding of best practices and standard operating procedures.
- Customization: Adapting the VRP framework to meet the specific needs and scheme environment of Sri Lanka.
- Pilot Implementation: Conducting pilot assessments on existing select rooftop solar installations to identify gaps in Sri Lanka context.
The workshop provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, laying the groundwork for a future partnership between USAID and SLSEA to strengthen the quality and reliability of rooftop solar installations in Sri Lanka. USAID pledged ongoing support to SLSEA, sharing lessons learned from India’s experience and providing technical assistance in developing a similar framework for Sri Lanka.
