Inside a Successful C&I Solar Project: From Feasibility Study to Commissioning


Follow this proven 90-day roadmap used by Upthrust to deliver 25MW+ across Nigerian factories, malls, and estates—guaranteed 40% diesel savings.

Phase 1: Feasibility Study (Days 1-14)

Week 1 - Data Collection:

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- 7-day kWh meter log (day/night split)
- Diesel liters + runtime hours
- Roof survey: 1,200m²/MW @ 15kg/m² load
- Grid voltage log, outage frequency

Week 2 - Financial Model:

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1MW example → 1.46M kWh/year @ ₦38/kWh LCOE
Diesel baseline: ₦120/kWh → ₦120M annual savings
Payback: 3.8 years, IRR 38%
PPA option: ₦48/kWh fixed, zero capex

Deliverable: Bankable techno-economic report + 3 financing options

Phase 2: Design & Permitting (Days 15-45)

Technical Design:

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- DC: 1.2MW bifacial panels (20% oversize)
- AC: 1MW hybrid inverters (150% overload)
- Storage-ready: Spare DC strings, EMS protocols
- Single-line diagram for NERC approval

Regulatory Fast-Track:

  • NERC embedded generation permit (≤1MW = 30 days)

  • Lagos/Ogun ESD clearance (14 days)

  • Fire certificate (panel spacing, earthing)

  • Bi-directional metering specification

Procurement Lock:

  • Tier 1 panels (Jinko/Trina): 25yr warranty

  • SMA/Fronius inverters: 10yr warranty

  • Local content: 40% Nigerian EPC labor

Phase 3: EPC Execution (Days 46-80)

Civil Works (2 weeks):

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Roof: Waterproofing, racking (25° tilt)
Ground: Concrete pads, security fencing
Electrical: Earthing grid, lightning arrestors

DC Installation (3 weeks):

  • 2,200 panels, string optimization

  • IV curve testing per string

  • DC isolators, weatherproof combiners

AC Commissioning (2 weeks):

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Inverter room (AC/HVAC ready for batteries)
Main switchboard integration
SCADA + cloud monitoring live
Full-load simulation test

Phase 4: Go-Live & Handover (Days 81-90)

Performance Verification:

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- 72hr stability test (grid on/off)
- PR >82% first month guarantee
- Zero string mismatch
- Remote monitoring handover training

Operations Launch:

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Monthly savings report template
Quarterly cleaning schedule
Annual thermography protocol
15yr O&M escalation: 3% max

Real Lagos Factory Timeline (1MW)

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Day 1: Contract signed
Day 14: Financing approved, NERC permit
Day 45: First panel lands Apapa
Day 75: Grid synchronized
Day 90: ₦10M first month savings verified

Upthrust Turnkey Guarantee: Fixed price, fixed timeline, 40% diesel reduction or we work free until achieved.

Free 14-day feasibility for your facility—see exact savings before spending a kobo.

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