HI Sandy, an onerous document will sort the wheat from the chaff. It tends to put the cowboys off. Some of our requirements at Frankston City Council include:
- Costing in 5 years maintenance to the tender
- Bank guarantee 5% of contract sum, retained until after 12 months defects liability period concludes
- Insurance cover, 20% of contract sum plus $20m liability
- Liquidated damages varies per contract - approx. $300/day for large solar contracts
As a minimum, tenderers are asked for the following experience:
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Experience
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The head contractor must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the solar PV industry.
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Experience: commercial solar
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Preference given to contractors with experience in in the supply design and installation of commercial solar systems in the 30kW to 100kW range
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Experience: councils
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Preference given to contractors with experience in solar installation for local governments
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Experience: grid connection
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Experience with grid connection approvals and requirements in the United distribution network
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Melbourne presence
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The contractor must have Melbourne based staff and a Melbourne based project manager responsible for overseeing the installations and client liaison
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CEC solar PV retailer code of conduct
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Preference given to solar retailers that are listed on the CEC solar PV retailer code of conduct
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CEC accredited in-house staff
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Preference given to contractors that have in-house CEC accredited electricians and/or designers
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CEC accredited electricians
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Preference given to contractors that have CEC accredited electricians on staff and that will be fully responsible for the solar installation.
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Project Management
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Preference given to contractors with accredited project management procedures and a dedicated project manager.
Preference given to contractors with ISO accredited project management procedures.
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We also use the following to help sort the wheat from the chaff:
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Standard/Certification scheme
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Description/parameter
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‘Positive quality’ by the Australian Solar Council
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Preference given to panels that are on the ‘Positive Quality’ listing from the Australian Solar Council.
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VDE Quality Tested
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Preference given to panels that are VDE quality tested and certified, or certified with a similar independent third party testing organisation that provides continuous quarterly testing for reliability and degradation.
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Photon Laboratory International test results
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Preference given to panel manufacturers that have PV panels highest on the most current Photon Test result.
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‘Solar Scorecard’ by The Silicon Valley Toxins Coalition
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Preference given to panel manufacturers that rank higher on the ranking on the 2015 solar scorecard. http://www.solarscorecard.com/2015/
Panel manufacturers which demonstrate their recycling commitment and toxic material reduction through alternative documentation which does not involve the Solar Scorecard will be given consideration also.
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IEC61853 – 1
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Preference given to panels that have documented evidence of IEC61853 compliance/certification and details of module performance at 23 different temperature and irradiance conditions
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Atlas 25+
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Preference given to panels with Atlas 25+ certification with a basic tier classification or above
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PV+ test (TÜV Rheinland and Solarpraxis AG)
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Preference given to panels that are on the PV+Test listing
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Thresher mark certification with TUV SUD?
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Preference given to panels have Thresher mark certification
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Fraunhofer I PDVI testing
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Preference given to panels with Fraunhofer I PDVI testing with a ranking of greater than 3.
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PVUSA
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Preference given to panels which are published on the California ‘Incentive Eligible Photovoltaic Modules’ list:
http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/pv_modules.php
and have a ratio of PTC (PVUSA Test Conditions) / STC (Standard Test Conditions) of 89% or greater.
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Here's our Table of Contents for the Specifications to give you an idea of the level of detail we go to. This has helped prevent many issues.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 General Specifications............................................................................................... 1
1.1 Description of Works............................................................................................. 1
1.2 Ancillary works required........................................................................................ 1
1.3 Management........................................................................................................ 2
2 General Requirements............................................................................................... 2
2.1 Standard of Materials and Workmanship................................................................. 2
2.2 Compliance with Codes......................................................................................... 2
2.2.1 Structural Safety........................................................................................ 2
2.2.2 Electrical Safety......................................................................................... 2
2.3 Notices and Fees.................................................................................................. 3
2.4 Licensed Electricians............................................................................................. 3
2.5 Design................................................................................................................. 3
2.6 Materials.............................................................................................................. 3
2.7 Supply and Metering............................................................................................. 3
2.8 Setting Out.......................................................................................................... 3
2.9 Cutting, Fixing, Drilling and Making Good................................................................ 3
2.10 Wiring Methods..................................................................................................... 4
2.11 Fastening and Fastening Materials.......................................................................... 4
2.12 Reticulation.......................................................................................................... 4
2.13 Electrical Isolation................................................................................................ 4
2.14 Internal works...................................................................................................... 4
2.15 Testing and Commissioning................................................................................... 5
2.16 Warranty and Free Service.................................................................................... 5
2.17 Safety................................................................................................................. 5
2.18 As-Installed Drawings and Maintenance Manuals...................................................... 5
2.19 Inspection of Documents and Site.......................................................................... 6
3 Technical Requirements............................................................................................ 7
3.1 General............................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Standards and Guidelines...................................................................................... 7
3.3 Submissions Required........................................................................................... 8
3.3.1 Grid Connection application......................................................................... 8
3.3.2 Technical information and as built drawings................................................... 8
3.4 Solar PV panel technical requirements.................................................................... 9
3.5 Preferred Solar PV panels.................................................................................... 10
3.6 Inverters........................................................................................................... 12
3.7 Metering and monitoring...................................................................................... 14
3.8 PV mounting systems.......................................................................................... 14
3.9 Solar PV provider............................................................................................... 16
3.10 Design and Installation........................................................................................ 17
3.10.1 General................................................................................................... 17
3.10.2 Solar PV Array location............................................................................. 17
3.10.3 Solar PV Design........................................................................................ 17
3.10.4 PV array installation.................................................................................. 17
3.10.5 Inverter Installation.................................................................................. 18
3.10.6 Earthing................................................................................................... 18
3.10.7 Cabling.................................................................................................... 18
3.10.8 Labelling.................................................................................................. 19
3.11 Testing and Commissioning.................................................................................. 19
3.12 Documentation and Training................................................................................ 19
3.12.1 Documentation......................................................................................... 19
3.12.2 Training................................................................................................... 20
3.13 Warranty........................................................................................................... 21
3.13.1 General:.................................................................................................. 21
3.13.2 Solar Panels............................................................................................. 21
3.13.3 Inverters................................................................................................. 21
3.13.4 Framing................................................................................................... 21
3.13.5 Cabling and isolators................................................................................. 21
3.14 Maintenance....................................................................................................... 21
3.14.1 Call out.................................................................................................... 21
3.14.2 Ongoing maintenance................................................................................ 21
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Hope this helps!
Ella Boyen
Asset Efficiency Officer
Frankston City Council
FRANKSTON VIC
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