EPC stands for engineering, procurement, and construction. In solar energy projects, it refers to the coordination of engineering, procurement, and construction activities. Calling a proposal “EPC” does not automatically mean that every work item has the same scope. A meaningful comparison depends on deliverables and responsibilities that are clearly defined in writing.
Engineering: turning requirements into a project
The investment objective, site information, and existing infrastructure are assessed first. The layout approach, equipment sizing, and connections between system components are developed at this stage. The data and assumptions on which the design is based should be documented. If roof improvements or changes to the electrical infrastructure are required, these works should be identified separately.
Procurement: defining technical specifications
A procurement list containing only module and inverter names is not sufficient. Equipment models, technical specifications, quantities, delivery schedules, and relevant documents should be assessed together. Where an alternative product is proposed, the criteria used to evaluate it can also be agreed in advance. This prevents proposals from being compared solely on a single total-capacity figure.
Construction and commissioning: defining delivery
The installation programme, site access, and the business’s operating schedule are planned together. Activities by different teams are coordinated, and progress and changes are tracked. Commissioning includes inspections and tests to confirm that the installed system meets its design intent and defined specifications. Test reports, as-built drawings, and operating information are important parts of the handover file.
Questions to ask when comparing proposals
- Which engineering drawings and calculations will be delivered?
- Who is responsible for roof repairs, infrastructure modifications, and site preparation?
- How will equipment substitutions or additional work be assessed?
- At which stage will testing, training, and handover documentation be completed?
- Are operational monitoring and maintenance services included?
Bringing these answers together in the same table makes it easier to see whether different proposals genuinely cover the same work. Asking for clarification instead of making assumptions about ambiguous items helps identify potential scheduling, access, and coordination issues early. Appointing a decision-maker and point of contact on the business side also supports this process.
The EPC scope is defined for each project. For the initial consultation, simply bring the available plans, the facility’s operating conditions, and the intended use case. You can explore our solar PV EPC services or share your project to begin defining the scope.