Setting up data foundations to enable a global leader in solar power generation to scale (Case study from OnePoint)
Author Garima Dosi, Enterprise Architect at Onepoint
The client
Our client (let’s dub them SolarCo) builds and operates utility-scale solar power farms around the world. They are rapidly scaling up to help meet the rising demand for reliable electricity while supporting the global energy transition to net zero.
The opportunity
Each of SolarCo's solar farms is equipped with SCADA systems that collect data from thousands of components in near-real time. This data needs to be cleansed, transformed, aggregated, and analysed for decision-making and reporting.
SolarCo wanted to build a central data lake to store this data in its raw format and enable efficient data management. The company also faced several challenges with its existing data management practices:
- Data silos — Business teams in different regions used different methods and tools, creating inefficiencies.
- High data volumes — SolarCo's existing data processing systems (SQL Server and Pentaho) were not scalable enough to handle the high volume of data from its growing number of solar farms.
- Data lineage tracking — It was difficult to track how data was being cleansed using existing systems.
- Fragmented data sources — SolarCo's data was scattered across multiple sources and systems, making it difficult to get a unified view.
SolarCo wanted trusted, independent advice and support from a specialist consultancy to help them select the best solution and architect and build an enterprise-grade cloud data warehouse and reporting solution.
The approach
Applying Onepoint’s Valuepath™ approach, we first conducted a series of prototyping and benchmarking exercises to decide on the best-fit data lake option for SolarCo’s requirements.
Snowflake, a leading cloud data warehouse platform, was chosen as the main data storage and processing engine. A leading enterprise business intelligence platform, PowerBI, was chosen for reporting and analytics. Microsoft Azure cloud platform and services would be used for data ingestion, scheduling, and orchestration.
With the solution defined, the stage was set for Onepoint to switch from advisor mode to delivery partner. Working closely with SolarCo’s business analysts and technologists, Onepoint’s architects, data engineers, testers, and DevOps professionals brought the overall solution to life applying agile practices.
Outcomes
Onepoint's cloud data warehouse solution helped SolarCo achieve:
- Agile scaling — Storage, processing, and IT spend scale effortlessly as SolarCo expands globally.
- Improved insights — Business users have better transparency and insights for over 160 sites worldwide.
- Operational efficiencies — By reducing report creation time and effort, SolarCo redeployed staff to higher-value activities.
- Advanced analytics — Data scientists and analysts can access clean data from a single platform to execute advanced use cases, like predictive analytics, that drive strategic and operational decisions.
SolarCo's success led to Onepoint being invited to work on a series of strategic technology and data initiatives. We are proud to be trusted partners in helping SolarCo achieve its growth ambitions and digital transformation.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Cloud Week 2023
News, views and insights on how cloud computing continues to reshape how we live and work. techUK's annual Cloud Week is an opportunity for the tech community to explore key issues in cloud and highlight new ideas and thought leadership from our members.
Cloud computing and the path to a more sustainable future
This techUK insights paper highlights the commitment of our members to a sustainable approach to cloud computing and sets out six core best practice principles for a greener future for the tech sector.
techUK - Committed to Climate Action
Visit our Climate Action Hub to learn more or to register for regular updates.
By 2030, digital technology can cut global emissions by 15%. Cloud computing, 5G, AI and IoT have the potential to support dramatic reductions in carbon emissions in sectors such as transport, agriculture, and manufacturing. techUK is working to foster the right policy framework and leadership so we can all play our part. For more information on how techUK can support you, please visit our Climate Action Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Climate, Environment and Sustainability updates
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Climate, Environment and Sustainability programme.
Upcoming climate events
![footer widget with brand.jpg](https://pixl8-cloud-techuk.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod/public/8fc62074-8d55-4ab7-9d15fc57b283b177/1000x563_highestperformance__4a7c7e45a350/footer-widget-with-brand.jpg)