India’s solar capacity has grown from just 10.5 GW to 52 GW in the last five years and the country has adopted ambitious target of building 280 GW solar capacity by 2030. Amid rapid growth prospects, accelerating technology changes and intense market competition, project developers and contractors face increasing commercial pressure to optimise capital cost.

In absence of clear technical standards and certification regime, BOS components, including transformers, junction boxes, cables, mounting structures, module cleaning systems, earthing and lightning systems bear most of the brunt of cost cutting. It has been shown by several studies that faulty BOS equipment selection and installation, accounting for around 40% of solar project cost, has a disproportionate impact on power output.

This report examines typical design and installation issues affecting individual BOS components and potential solutions for the same. There is an urgent need for government agencies to widen the scope of technical standards and improve compliance. But there is also a considerable opportunity for the industry to adopt a set of voluntary best practices code to instil confidence in the sector.