2DegreesKelvin

🌞 CALLING ALL ASSET OWNERS & ASSET MANAGERS 🌞 🆓 FREE TEAM WORKSHOP FROM 2DK 🆓 If you are an Asset Owner or Asset Manager in the UK, and you have multiple large-scale solar farms under management, then 2DegreesKelvin wish to offer you a free team workshop on Module Defects & Visual Inspection Techniques. 🔥🔥🔥 As we are approaching the median asset age of 10 years in the UK, following the peak of installs in the winter of 2014/15, the majority of these sites will have modules with 10 year product warranties. The manufacturers supplying modules in this period were prone to experiment with alternative (cheaper) bills of materials, in particular backsheets. Subsequently, these modules are now following a predictable and inevitable deterioration pattern, ultimately ending in the need to revamp your assets, or face the financial consequences. 2DK have designed a workshop to include: ✅ Overview of module components 📱 Overview of module types 🔎 Overview of Backsheet Material Identification 😢 Identifying that you have a systemic problem ✍ Initial Site Inspection Checklist 📉 Defect Deterioration Road map 🧪 Insights into advanced testing techniques 5️⃣ 2DK’s 5-Step “Road 2 Repower” Process 🙋 Overview of the Warranty Claim Process 📸 High-Volume Evidence Gathering ⏩ Future-Proofing your asset 🌱 Next Steps A huge amount of value that hopefully will inform and prepare your teams when going to sites to carry out initial site inspections, and also give them some pointers in terms of what the next steps are, and how to prioritise your portfolio in terms of risk. One thing is for certain, its not going to get any better, and the sooner you tackle the issues, the better the outcome will be for your shareholders. If your portfolio management team would benefit from this workshop, then please get in touch. I will personally address your team (John Davies CEng) and share our insights. Either send me a DM on LinkedIn, or send us an email at: info@2degreeskelvin.org Looking forward to meeting your teams soon. #makesolarbetter #solarfund #solarassetmanager #portfoliomanager #assetmanagement #road2repower #revamp #repower #solarmodules #solarpanels #warrantyclaims #solarprojects

🌧 IV-CURVE TRACING v’s EL & FLASH TESTING: THE SHIFT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ⚡ According to the Met Office, from October 2022 to March 2024, England saw a record 1,695.9mm of rainfall - the highest 18 month period since 1836. This relentless rain has impacted not only our mood, but also solar energy production across the UK. With reduced irradiation, solar farms are feeling the pinch. Despite the gloomy weather, solar deployment remains strong. However, traditional inspection methods like IV-Curve Testing, which rely heavily on sunlight, are becoming increasingly unreliable. 🔎 What’s the Problem with IV-Curve Testing? - IV-Curve testing is irradiation-dependent, leading to inaccurate results and often being treated as a "tick-box" exercise. - The test outcome has variable accuracy levels depending how far away you are from standard test conditions. - The Data is subjective, relying on the operator’s interpretation. - IV-Curve Tracing is rarely used for making strong, evidence-backed conclusions, especially for warranty claims. But there’s good news. 🌞 🚀 The Shift Toward EL & Flash Testing At 2DegreesKelvin, we’ve noticed a growing trend: O&M teams are shifting away from IV-Curve tracing and adopting more advanced testing methods like mobile module testing labs, including; Electroluminescence (EL) and Flash Testing. Why? The benefits speak for themselves: 🔧 Key Advantages of EL & Flash Testing 🔹 EL images clearly identify manufacturing defects 🛠 🔹 Detect and provide forensic evidence of mechanical damage 🔍 🔹 Flash Testing outperforms IV-Tracing because irradiation is fixed at 1,000W/m2 ☀️ 🔹 Provides consistent highly accurate (+/- 3%) power output readings of individual modules 🔹 Typically testing 4–5 strings at various locations for a comprehensive health check, on an annual basis at an affordable price 🔹 Results can be extrapolated for site-wide power loss projections 📊 🔹 Results can for a central part of module warranty claims moving forward. 🔹 Results can be stored on a digital twin and compared year on year to evidence degradation, or the emergence of new defects 🔹 Data can be compared to original PV-Syst simulations for precise degradation analysis 🔹 Critical for re-financing portfolios with realistic power loss data 💰 💼 At 2DK, we've partnered with top O&M providers for successful trials of these advanced testing methods. We’re now rolling them out across large asset portfolios to deliver better data, better decisions, and better outcomes. 🌞 Want to optimise your solar farm’s performance? If you own, manage, or operate large-scale solar assets, get in touch with me, John Davies CEng, via DM or reach out to us at info@2degreeskelvin.org . Let's talk about taking your O&M scopes to the next level. #MakeSolarBetter #solarOandM #assetmanagement #solarfunds

⏰🌞 I'M ATTENDING SOLAR & STORAGE LIVE 2024 🌞⏰ 🌅 Happy & Sunny Tuesday LinkedIn 2DegreesKelvin are taking a year off from exhibiting this year at the Solar & Storage Live. However, we will be attending on the first two days (Tuesday & Wednesday next week), and we're planning to meet with as many people as possible. ☘ 💪 Following last years event, we've seen significant growth both in terms of our strengthening team, but also the volume of assignments, contracts and projects we've been involved in. We're continually developing and innovating services with the aim of a period of service consolidation, to triple down on service excellence and maximise the value that we deliver for our clients and this booming industry. 🤝 We are seeking long-term relationships with asset/project owners, asset managers, IPP's, EPC's and O&M's who share our passion for Quality, Testing, Inspections and Project Implementation. If you are attending and you fit into one of these camps, and wish to talk to us about: 👨🔬 Owners Engineering 📋 Health, Safety, Environmental & Quality Inspections ⚡ EL & Flash Module Testing ☀ Warranty Claim Management 👷♂️ Revamp & Repower Projects Implementation Then please get in touch... 📧 😁 These are currently our areas of expertise and our core services, where we can add real value to new-build pipelines and distressed operational assets. 🤙 Please reach out if you'd like to meet for a brief coffee/beer during the Tuesday or Wednesday. 💖 Looking forward to feeling the buzz of the UK solar industry again, and can't wait to catch up with partners, clients and old friends. 🚶♂️ See you in the aisles! #makesolarbetter

🚨 MODULE 10-YEAR WARRANTY CLAIMS – TIME IS TICKING 🚨 🤔 Are your solar assets underperforming, and you can’t quite pinpoint why? ⚡Are you experiencing multiple inverter trips that are impacting your performance ratio and availability? 📉 Are you struggling with RISO (Earth Leakage) issues and unsure of the next steps? ☀️Are you managing sites with modules in the 240-260 Watt peak power class range? 🎂 Are you operating assets that are nearing 10 years old? If you answered yes to any of these questions, let me share some crucial insights. There’s a predictable sequence of deterioration that may be undermining your assets, posing significant safety risks & ultimately necessitating a revamp or repower of your large-scale solar farm. 📖 The Backstory: Over a decade ago, several well-known module OEMs chose a cheaper, yet inferior, backsheet material for their solar modules. Fast forward a few years, and these backsheets began showing signs of chalking & powdering. This deterioration evolved into cracking along the busbars and cell gaps on the rear of the modules, leading to a host of issues like delamination, busbar corrosion, hotspots & even arcing events - culminating in RISO faults and inverter trips across thousands of solar farms globally. 🔥This isn’t just a cautionary tale; it’s happening now. In the UK alone, hundreds of assets are facing this inevitable failure path. The consequences? Site shutdowns, or costly revamps and repowers to restore safe, efficient operation. While many OEMs are honouring their warranties, they require evidence presented in a specific manner. ☎ But before you jump into your claim, consider this; Simply swapping your modules out is unlikely to be the solution, as that module is no longer manufactured. You need a long-term, holistic plan that aligns with your operational strategy and shareholder expectations. Next Steps: 1️⃣ Get in touch with 2DegreesKelvin, for a no obligation exploratory call and formulate a warranty claim submission plan. 2️⃣ Organise a systematic troubleshooting investigation to pinpoint the issue, disproving inverter, DC connector and DC cable issues. 3️⃣ Once confirmed, gather evidence digitally of defects, module locations and serial numbers to form your warranty claim. 4️⃣ Conduct an Optioneering Study to determine the best course of action for your site. 5️⃣ Develop a comprehensive specification, RfQ and engage a reputable contractor to deliver a detailed engineering package & project solution (for example, 2DK). 📞 If you think your site might have a valid warranty claim or you want to leverage our market-leading expertise in revamping & repowering, let’s talk. 👉 Get in touch with me (John Davies CEng) via DM or reach out to the team at 2DK: info@2degreeskelvin.org. The next big question is, what’s the next manufacturing issue that could cause systemic failures? Let me know your thoughts in the comments ✉️ #makesolarbetter #revamp #repower #warrantyclaim

🔍 OPTIONEERING IN LARGE-SCALE SOLAR Large-scale solar assets are degrading faster than expected. The 10-year ceiling for module product warranties is now upon us and many asset owners are late to the party. In collaboration with partners, 2DK are heading up multiple module warranty claims. The primary issue? Premature degradation of backsheet materials chosen by OEMs, causing predictable defects such as delamination, busbar corrosion, and scorch marks. These defects lead to: ⚡ RISO ground faults 🔌 Inverter trips 🔥 Arcing/Fire events 📉 Negative impact on production These issues demand immediate action, not just from a Safety perspective but also to minimise the impact on power loss. Our approach begins with digitalising the asset - collecting geo-located serial numbers & HD imagery of each module, presented compellingly to OEMs. This method has proven effective with several live claims currently managed across the UK. But what happens after a successful warranty claim? In most cases, it’s not as simple as replacing faulty modules. Technology has advanced in 10 years - 240-260Wp modules are no longer in production. Secondary market specialists may have limited stock, but direct OEM options are rare. This often necessitates using higher wattage modules, which typically then demands a full-scale ‘REVAMP’ project. In these scenarios, several critical considerations arise: 🏗️ Planning impacts: Will new module heights exceed permissions? 📑 OFGEM: Could changes affect FiTs & ROCs subsidies? 🔋 DNO Export Limits & Protections 🔌 Existing DC/AC system design & cabling 👷♂️ Mounting structure compatibility 💡 Inverters & SCBs: Are replacements needed? ⚡ Transformers & Switchgear: Are upgrades required? 📊 SCADA & Monitoring: Is it compatible with new changes? 🛠️ System re-design, SLDs & as-builts There’s a lot to consider, with more than one way forward. Different technology options, phased revamps and fleet-wide strategic spares may need evaluating. Commercially, the difference between high-quality products and cheaper alternatives is significant. All of this must be carefully designed and modelled to ensure confidence in the solution. This is where the Optioneering Study by 2DegreesKelvin becomes invaluable. Our study provides asset owners with engineered options that consider: 📊 Existing operational performance, constraints, opportunities & risks 🎯 Key project drivers & objectives 🛠️ Conceptual technical design solutions 📈 PV-syst modelling, commercial estimates & projected ROI We’re currently guiding multiple portfolio owners through this process, culminating in a tailored recommendation to optimise asset performance, longevity, and investor returns. Once a solution is selected, 2DK offers a Project Implementation service to professionally execute the revamp within budget and ensure a smooth handover to the O&M team. If you or your assets could benefit from an Optioneering Study, feel free to reach out. #makesolarbetter

2DK – RESTORE, REPAIR, REVAMP & REPOWER Excited to share a recent project where 2DegreesKelvin successfully restored a site that suffered severe storm damage. The site lost modules, retained damages to the mounting structure and in some areas, the wind lifted tables out of the ground. Replacement beams were unavailable as the OEM was out of business, so we reverse-engineered parts to match the original design. Similar power modules were sourced by the asset owner, but frame thicknesses were 35mm (instead of 40mm), so we needed to also reverse-engineer and get manufactured custom module clamps. Concrete ground anchors were structurally designed and installed around the existing piles to add strength and stability. 2DK managed everything, from 3D scanning and prototyping to manufacturing and installing new beams and clamps. Electrical systems were fully restored, tested, and the site was safely re-energised, complete with a full QA/QC pack and engineering report. The project was delivered on time, meeting the original design specifications, and our client was extremely satisfied with the end-to-end delivery. All in all, not a straight forward project, but delivered impeccably by the 2DK engineering and project delivery team. If you have any high volume component replacement projects, or indeed larger revamp/repower projects that you need delivering with an experienced and professional engineering team, then look no further. 2DK now hold an unrivalled experience in life extension projects, and due to our range of advanced inspection, testing and asset digitalisation services, can ensure that projects are conceived, planned and delivered in the most optimum way. #makesolarbetter

🔆 Boosting Safety in the UK Solar Construction Industry 🔆 The UK large-scale solar market is booming, but with growth comes the responsibility of ensuring the highest standards of Health & Safety on construction sites. 🌞🏗️ Let's shed some light on 2DK's Top 5 Hazards in Solar Farm Construction and how to mitigate them: Electrical Hazards ⚡ Risk: Exposure to live wires and high-voltage equipment. Control: Implement electrical safety rules including lockout/tagout procedures, permits to work, provide electrical safety training, and ensure proper isolations and PPE. Falls from Height 🧗♂️ Risk: Working on elevated structures and/or ladders (typically when installing modules) on uneven ground. Control: Use appropriate equipment, fit for purpose ensuring that ground conditions are taken into consideration. Consider the use of suction handling equipment, and ensure all workers are trained in fall protection. Heavy Equipment Incidents 🚜 Risk: Accidents involving heavy plant such as telehandlers, dumpers and HGV's. Control: Conduct regular equipment inspections, provide operator training, and establish clear traffic management plans and pedestrian segragation. Manual Handling Injuries 🤕 Risk: Strains and sprains from lifting heavy solar modules and other materials. Control: Utilise mechanical lifting aids, enforce proper lifting techniques, and assess loads are safe to lift. Slips, Trips & Falls 💔 Risk: ankle, foot and leg sprains and breaks due to uneven ground and slippery conditions Control: Ensure routes are planned and suitable for the task in hand. Avoid walking through slippery, wet, muddy areas on site and always wear appropriate safety footwear with ankle support. 🔍 Why is an Independent Safety Professional Essential?: Independent Health, Safety, and Environmental inspections by certified professionals are crucial on solar farm construction project. They provide an unbiased review, ensuring all safety protocols are strictly followed and continuously improved. 📈🔧 Safety isn’t just a priority – it’s a commitment. Let's continue to build a greener future while safeguarding our workforce. 🌍👷♀️👷♂️ If you are looking for an independent HSE Officer to conduct weekly, fortnightly or monthly site inspections and reports, to represent you from a health & safety perspective, ensure CDM compliance and to deal with incidents & accidents during your project; then please get in touch with 2DegreesKelvin. We have highly qualified and experienced professionals available for deployment. Have a sunny & safe day! 🌞 #makesolarbetter

🌟 Unlock the Power of Solar with 2DegreesKelvin's Technical Consultancy! 🌞🔧 Did you know that 2DK offers top-tier technical consultancy services tailored to the dynamic solar market? Our team of seasoned consultants and engineers bring decades of combined experience to deliver practical, constructive advice and project execution. Why Choose 2DK? Here’s what we bring to the table: 🔹 Owner's Engineering: Not just another consultancy - our agile and thorough construction oversight service maximizes your solar assets' safety, compliance, and efficiency. We spot the corners others cut and ensure your projects are completed to the highest standard. 🔹 Site Health Assessments & Warranty Inspections: We harness innovative technologies to perform detailed surveys and inspections, offering you deep insights into your assets and supporting your warranty claims with solid evidence. 🔹 Revamp/Repower Optioneering Studies: With over 15 years of combined expertise and strong ties with top module and inverter suppliers, we provide comprehensive optioneering studies to guide your revamp and repower decisions confidently. 🔹 Preliminary Design & Planning Management: Successfully navigating the planning and grid connection for over 250MWp of assets in the past 3 years, we handle everything from redline plans to feasibility assessments and grid connection applications. 🔹 Site Technical Compliance Support: If a full Owner's Engineering role isn't in your budget, our ad hoc technical compliance inspections ensure quality and compliance across your solar projects, saving you time and money. 💡 If you're dissatisfied with your current Technical Advisor or need to spread your project risk, let's talk! We're open to long-term framework agreements, flexible service delivery on a time & expenses basis or as lump sum packages. 🔧 Let's build a brighter future together. Get in touch with 2DK today! #makesolarbetter #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #TechnicalConsultancy #SolarPower #2DegreesKelvin #SolarEngineering #SustainableFuture

2DK ANNUAL PULSE GATHERING - 2024 Wanted to share a few pic's from 2DegreesKelvin's Annual Pulse Gathering 2024 that took place last Thursday & Friday. Each year, as a team we reset our 10, 3 and 1 year goals, refine our vision for the company and set out our annual and 90 day objectives to make those ambitions a reality. This year was a definite step-change for me as a business founder. We have tripled our turnover and doubled our team in 12 months, and due to the nature of our business, we don't spend as much time together (physically) face-to-face as we would do ideally, so team get togethers are to be cherished. To have all 12 members of our team all sat around a table was special!!! As well as working on the business, we also managed to galvanise our growing team with a session of 'AXE THROWING'. We all honed our techniques with a range of weapon flinging, and I've got to say, it was great fun and we all enjoyed! Following that up with a lovely meal, some wine and cocktails, it was great to spend some time and get to know new team members. A very proud moment for me as a CEO and founder. Sincere gratitude to all of the team for your continued hard work, contribution and teamwork. We have the building blocks now as a team to build something very special. Sara Davies, Dr David Morgan BEng(Hons) PhD CEng CMgr MIET MCMI, Daniel North, Justyn Downes, Sam Hamilton MIET, Adam Dunsford, Anthony Davidson, Jay Lloyd, Ste Dunkerley, Amy Louise Smith, Vette Ramos. Here's to a sunny & successful year ahead!!! #makesolarbetter

CONGRATULATIONS SAM!!! A short but proud post this morning, highlighting the progression and achievement of one of our management team Sam Hamilton MIET. Sam joined us earlier in 2024 as a Solar Consultant and has quickly become a valued member of the 2DK team. He has a wealth of direct experience in warranty claim management and revamp & repower engineering and project execution which complements 2DegreesKelvin's expansion goals. As part of 2DK's Personal Development Review process, Sam has recently become a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), gaining MIET status, as he moves towards his Chartership objectives. This month he has also been promoted to 'Head of Technical Consultancy' allowing him to execute departmental growth strategies as the UK solar market takes off. Well done Sam, and keep up the hard work!!! #makesolarbetter