Short answer
Utility-scale solar development moves through feasibility, land and approvals, grid connectivity, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning, and the EPC contractor is typically most involved from engineering through commissioning. In Rajasthan, land readiness, grid evacuation and desert-site design are the stages that most often shape the schedule.
The development stages at a glance
| Stage | What happens | Who usually leads |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility | Site, resource, land and grid are assessed to test whether the project works. | Developer, often with technical advisers |
| Land and approvals | Land is secured and permits and clearances are obtained. | Developer or project owner |
| Grid connectivity | A connection point and capacity are agreed with the utility. | Developer, with the EPC contractor on the technical side |
| Engineering | The plant is designed and engineering documents are produced. | EPC contractor |
| Procurement | Modules, inverters, structures, cables and electrical equipment are bought. | EPC contractor |
| Construction | Civil, structural, mechanical and electrical works are carried out. | EPC contractor |
| Commissioning | The plant is tested and synchronized with the grid. | EPC contractor, with the utility |
| Operation | The plant runs and is maintained. | Owner or an operation and maintenance contractor |
The split of responsibility changes between projects, so treat this as a starting point and confirm each stage in the contract.
Feasibility: test the project before committing
Feasibility asks a simple question: does this site, at this connection point, support a viable plant? It combines a solar resource estimate, a land review, a first look at layout and capacity, and a check of the nearest grid substation. A site survey and feasibility assessment done early is far cheaper than discovering a land or grid problem after equipment is ordered.
Land and approvals
Land for a ground-mounted plant must be clearly held, large enough for the planned capacity, and accessible. Requirements for permits and clearances depend on the state, the capacity and the scheme, and they change over time, so confirm current rules with the relevant authorities instead of relying on older guidance. Keep an approvals tracker from day one, because several approvals have to be in place before construction can start.
Grid connectivity and evacuation
Grid connection is often the longest lead item. It determines the voltage level of the plant's interconnection, whether a plant substation and a transmission line are needed, and where the plant is metered. Substation and transmission-line works are specialist scopes, and they should be designed together with the plant instead of after it.
Capacity ratings are a frequent source of confusion. MW AC is the output rating on the AC side, after the inverters. MW DC is the rating of the modules on the DC side. A plant can have more DC capacity than AC capacity, so always check which one a figure refers to. Solaris's own supplied project list is stated in MW AC.
Engineering for the site
Detailed engineering turns the feasibility concept into construction drawings: plant layout, module and inverter selection, mounting structure design, electrical single-line diagrams, cable sizing, earthing and protection, and the civil design. Energy-yield and system-loss analysis tests the design and sets realistic generation expectations. In Rajasthan, that analysis should deal explicitly with high temperatures and dust.
Procurement and logistics
Large plants need thousands of modules, many inverters, structures, kilometres of cable and heavy electrical equipment. Procurement should follow the engineering design and the project schedule, with datasheets, inspection and delivery to a remote site planned together. Late delivery of a single critical item can hold up commissioning.
Construction and commissioning
Construction typically starts with site preparation and civil works, followed by mounting structures, module installation, DC and AC electrical works, and substation and transmission-line works. Commissioning follows: testing, protection checks and grid synchronization support. The full sequence is covered in the solar EPC project lifecycle guide.
Common risks and how to reduce them
- Unclear land title or access: settle title and access before engineering is finalized.
- Grid delays: start connectivity work early and track it as a critical path item.
- Optimistic yield assumptions: ask for the assumptions and test them.
- Equipment delivery delays: plan procurement against the schedule and inspect on arrival.
- Unclear responsibilities: write down who owns each approval, supply item and document.
Common questions
- What is the difference between a project developer and an EPC contractor?
- A developer originates the project, secures land, approvals and grid connectivity, and arranges funding. An EPC contractor engineers, procures and builds the plant. In some projects one company does both.
- What is the difference between MW AC and MW DC?
- MW AC is the plant's output rating on the AC side after the inverters. MW DC is the combined rating of the solar modules on the DC side. The two figures are not interchangeable.
- Where does Solaris have projects in Rajasthan?
- The Solaris project list supplied for this website contains projects in Churu and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan. See the project portfolio for the list.