Presentation Description: For over a century, the automotive industry has perfected its engineering, testing and manufacturing capabilities through assembly-line vehicle production. By comparison the solar industry is still very nascent, but there are many under-appreciated similarities between the sectors that can be applied. Equipment manufacturers, EPCs and developers can take hard-earned lessons from automotive in order to increase project efficiencies — by optimizing on-site labor during construction, improving racking and tracking design, and more. Under new challenges posed by COVID, these labor strategies have become especially critical to ensuring safe working conditions while maintaining site productivity. Hear from Jake Rancourt, Manager, Business Development U.S. with Axsus, on how the solar technology provider company uses automotive industry best practices to improve the efficiency of their solar projects, and discover how to incorporate these strategies in your own business.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participant will be able to demonstrate an understanding in designing smarter solar equipment, including:
-Designing & utilizing the right equipment is key to cost-effective efficiencies in solar projects
-Designing "sub-assemblies" — individual components built prior to the full unit assembly — to achieve project efficiencies in cost and time
-Lightweight equipment allows for hand assembly, reducing installer's need for high-cost heavy machinery
Upon completion, participant will be able to describe best practices for optimizing on-site labor, including:
-Work within a seamless, efficient process for construction & installation to reduce labor costs and delays
-Design a layout accounting for sub-assemblies, quality control, & optimal placement of workstations (& bathrooms) to improve worker focus
-Reduce weather-related delays by managing sub-assembly under a tent at the base of the project site
-Rigorous quality control means ensuring a uniform, best-in-class output & that no equipment parts are lost or unaccounted for
Upon completion, participant will understand solar in the COVID era:
-Construction & installation of solar are outdoor jobs with easier social distancing, providing ideal & safe working conditions during COVID
-Process engineering ensures safe working conditions while maintaining productivity
-Reducing labor & optimizing installation timelines can make up for challenges in other parts of the supply chain
-Process engineering can reduce & optimize manpower, enabling easier social distancing
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