Construction at BT Industrial, South Africa

From Construction Supervision to Long-Term Reliability

In our previous blog, we introduced you to the pre-construction phase—a critical stage where we laid the groundwork for your solar energy project’s success. From energy yield assessments to vetting the right EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) partners, this phase ensures that every aspect of your solar project is well-planned before construction begins. Now that everything’s set, it’s time to enter the second phase of your solar journey: construction.

Here’s where your solar system starts to take shape on-site, and with candi solar, you can rest easy knowing we ensure everything is built to the highest standards. So, let’s take a closer look at what happens in this phase.

Phase 2: Construction—Bringing Your Solar Project to Life

Once the planning and assessments are complete, the construction phase kicks off. This phase involves hands-on oversight, quality checks, and risk mitigation to ensure that your solar project is executed with precision. Candi Solar remains involved throughout the process, making sure your project stays on course.

Step 1- EPC Monitoring & Quality Control

Construction Monitoring- Our team of experts conducts regular site visits during construction to track the progress and tackle any challenges as they arise. These visits happen weekly, biweekly, or monthly, depending on the project’s needs. We start as soon as major components—like panels and inverters—arrive at your site. During these visits, we create detailed reports highlighting progress, identifying any issues (or snags), and ensuring that the EPC contractor stays on track. We also review the EPC’s reports, keeping an open line of communication to align on every milestone.
Milestone Verification- Milestones are key moments during construction when we step in to verify the EPC’s progress. From the mobilisation stage and delivery of major components to practical and final completion, Candi Solar ensures that every step is verified before moving on to the next. For added assurance, we can also include a mechanical completion milestone, ensuring even the smallest details are accounted for. These checks give you peace of mind that the work meets the highest standards and that every box is ticked.
Reviewing Contractual Triggers- Throughout construction, there are often requests for changes (variation orders) or claims made by the EPC. We review these thoroughly, making sure everything is justified and within the scope of the project.
Monthly Health & Safety (H&S) Audits- Safety is a top priority. To ensure that all work is done in compliance with strict safety standards, we conduct monthly audits of the Health & Safety file managed by the EPC. We also perform a final audit once construction is complete. These checks guarantee that your solar project is as safe as it is efficient.

Step 2- Construction Risk Protection

Risk management is a crucial part of any large-scale construction project, and we’ve got your back. During construction, there are potential risks, such as credit issues with the EPC, delays due to unforeseen factors, or quality concerns. We manage these risks through the application of damages, ensuring you’re protected from any project delays or quality issues that arise.

Step 3. Approvals Support

Regulatory compliance can often be a maze to navigate. During construction, we also handle all necessary regulatory and connectivity approvals to ensure your system is fully compliant with local requirements. This way, once construction is complete, your system will be ready for operation without any unexpected regulatory hurdles.

What Does All This Mean for You?

At Candi Solar, we believe that solar energy should be easy for you. While we handle every detail—from site visits to milestone checks, risk management, and financing—you can focus on enjoying the benefits of renewable energy. Our hands-on approach during the construction phase ensures that your solar system is built with precision, quality, and safety in mind.

In the next blog of our series, we’ll explore what happens post-construction, where we’ll dive into the final checks, system testing, and transitioning to operation and maintenance. Stay tuned to learn how we ensure the long-term reliability and performance of your solar investment.