Question 1:

Is it possible to obtain only a Single Line Diagram from the Development Services Section, instead of all the items listed under the "Development - Site Electrical Package"?

Answer 1:

The creation of a Single Line Diagram involves various factors that need to be depicted in the diagram. That is why it is a common requirement for Utilities or Government Agencies. While it is feasible to produce a generic Single Line Diagram for a System of size 'x', with Inverter 'y', and Solar Module 'z', such a design lacks a physical basis. In-house services of development companies often generate Single Line Diagrams in bulk to enhance their chances of finding a solar project prospect. However, our experience suggests that such projects seldom progress beyond the development stage.

At this point, our focus is on projects that have a higher likelihood of reaching the detailed design stage. Therefore, we do not offer standalone Single Line Diagrams without the necessary supporting documentation.

Question 2:

Is it possible to have only an overall Site Plan completed from the Development Services Section, rather than all items listed under “Development - Site Civil Package”, “Development - Site Mechanical Package” and “Development - Site Electrical Package”?

Answer 2:

Certainly, we can create an overall site plan that includes all the elements listed. However, the drawing would need to be tailored to the specific audience. Typically, the audience would be a Utility that is interested in Electrical Systems at a high level. While we do produce these kinds of plans, it's essential to note that design prerequisites would need to be supplied or included in the drawing's development.

To complete this type of site plan, we require Site Boundaries and Setbacks, as well as system components such as Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Layouts. While you may only require a Site Plan, this work must still be done to provide the groundwork for the drawing. If some of these components have already been created (for example, a Mechanical Site Plan from a vendor), we can use it as part of the design as long as the information is supplied in .dwg file format.

As with Question 1, it's feasible to generate a site plan with only a general idea of the site boundary, with just the most basic information required for an application. Unfortunately, these types of applications typically don't progress beyond the development stage. At this point, we're only interested in projects with a high probability of reaching detailed design.

Question 3:

Do you provide the original design files in their raw format, such as AutoCAD .dwg files, for clients to collaborate with other engineering teams?

Answer 3:

We are pleased to offer a collaborative version of our design files to clients for use with other engineering teams, including Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, and Planning teams. However, please note that this version is not the complete .dwg file but rather the 'model space' version, specifically intended for interface work.

At Bolt and Forge, we place a high value on maintaining the quality and integrity of our designs. Therefore, we do not permit other companies to utilize our preliminary work as a foundation for their own designs.

We understand that some clients may require design phase contracts with different engineering firms. However, at present, we do not support this type of contract model. This is because it would necessitate the provision of all proprietary material associated with a project to a competitor, which is not something we currently offer.

In the near future, we will be introducing a service offering template files that provide clean, clear, and detailed drawings. This will provide an excellent resource for new companies seeking to work in the Solar Engineering field but who do not yet have their own drawing templates and standards.