How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project

Reading time: ~10–12 minutes
Key takeaway: Choosing the right Independent Technical Advisor (ITA) can make or break your LSS project’s performance, bankability, and long-term returns.

How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project

Introduction

Your LSS project looks good on paper. The numbers work. The timeline seems reasonable. But here’s the problem: many LSS projects fail after approval—during design, construction, or operation—because no one independent was checking the technical decisions.

That’s the pain. Delays, underperforming systems, disputes with EPCs, and investors asking uncomfortable questions.

The agitation comes later, when energy yield is lower than promised, defects appear, or lenders start digging into reports that were never independently verified.

The solution is simple but often misunderstood: How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project. The right advisor protects your project from day one, spots risks early, and ensures your LSS plant delivers what was promised—technically and financially.

Summary Box

What this article covers:

• What an Independent Technical Advisor really does in LSS projects

• Why lenders and investors care so much about ITAs

• Common mistakes when appointing an ITA

• Step-by-step guidance on How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project

• What questions to ask before you appoint one

What Is an Independent Technical Advisor (ITA)?

An Independent Technical Advisor is a neutral expert who reviews, validates, and monitors your LSS project from a technical standpoint.

They are not:

• Your EPC contractor

• Your equipment supplier

• Your project developer

They work independently to protect the interests of:

• Project owners

• Investors

• Lenders

In simple terms, an ITA answers one key question:

“Is this LSS project technically sound, realistic, and capable of delivering the expected energy output over its full life?”

Understanding this role is the foundation of How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project.

Why LSS Projects Need an Independent Technical Advisor

LSS projects involve:

• Large capital investment

• Long-term performance commitments

• Strict regulatory and grid requirements

Without an ITA, most decisions rely heavily on parties who are not neutral.

An ITA helps you:

• Reduce technical risk

• Avoid design shortcuts

• Catch unrealistic assumptions early

• Build confidence with banks and investors

This is why lenders often require an ITA before financial close.

The Real Risks of Not Having the Right ITA

Many project owners appoint an ITA too late—or choose the wrong one.

Here’s what usually happens:

• Design flaws are discovered during construction

• Equipment specs don’t match site conditions

• Energy yield estimates are overly optimistic

• O&M plans are vague or incomplete

By the time issues surface, fixing them is expensive.

That’s why learning How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project early is critical.

Common Mistakes When Choosing an ITA

Before we go into how to choose correctly, let’s look at common mistakes.

1. Choosing Based on Price Alone

A cheap ITA often means:

• Shallow reviews

• Generic reports

• Missed risks

This can cost far more later.

2. Choosing Someone Without LSS-Specific Experience

Solar rooftop experience is not the same as LSS experience.

LSS projects involve:

• Grid compliance

• Utility-scale design challenges

• Complex land and environmental factors

3. Appointing Too Late

If the ITA is appointed after design is finalised, their value drops significantly.

When Should You Appoint an Independent Technical Advisor?

Ideally, an ITA should be involved at multiple stages:

• Pre-development

• Design review

• Construction monitoring

• Testing & commissioning

• Early operation

Understanding timing is a key part of How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project.

Core Responsibilities of an ITA in an LSS Project

A competent ITA typically covers:

Technical Due Diligence

• Site conditions and constraints

• Solar resource assessment

• Energy yield modelling

Design Review

• PV layout and orientation

• Inverter and module selection

• Electrical and protection design

Construction Monitoring

• Progress checks

• Quality inspections

• Compliance with approved design

Testing and Commissioning

• Performance verification

• Grid compliance checks

Operational Readiness

• O&M strategy review

• Performance guarantees

How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Check True Independence

The advisor must have:

• No commercial ties to EPCs or suppliers

• No incentives linked to project approval

Ask directly:

• “Do you supply equipment or EPC services?”

• “Have you worked for our EPC before?”

Independence is non-negotiable.

Step 2: Verify LSS Track Record

Ask for:

• Previous LSS projects completed

• Project size and capacity

• Role played (not just “involved”)

Experience matters more than branding.

Step 3: Assess Technical Depth

A strong ITA should be comfortable discussing:

• Energy yield assumptions

• Degradation rates

• Loss factors

• Grid interconnection risks

If explanations are vague, that’s a red flag.

Step 4: Review Sample Reports

Good ITA reports are:

• Clear

• Structured

• Evidence-based

Avoid reports filled with:

• Generic statements

• Copy-paste language

• No clear conclusions

This step is often skipped but is essential in How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project.

Step 5: Understand Their Scope of Work

Clarify:

• What stages are covered

• Frequency of site visits

• Level of detail in reviews

Never assume “standard scope.”

Step 6: Evaluate Communication Style

An ITA must explain technical risks clearly to:

• Non-technical stakeholders

• Investors

• Bankers

If they can’t simplify, they can’t protect you.

What Lenders Look for in an ITA

Banks typically expect:

• Proven independence

• Clear risk identification

• Conservative assumptions

• Transparent methodologies

If your ITA is not lender-trusted, financing can be delayed.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Avoid ITAs who:

• Promise “no issues”

• Avoid challenging the EPC

• Rush reviews

• Cannot explain assumptions

A good ITA is not there to please everyone—they’re there to protect the project.

Cost vs Value: Understanding ITA Fees

ITA fees are small compared to:

• Project CAPEX

• Long-term revenue

Think of it as insurance:

• Low upfront cost

• High downside protection

This mindset is central to How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project.

How an ITA Improves Long-Term Performance

A strong ITA:

• Improves design quality

• Reduces downtime

• Supports realistic performance guarantees

• Improves investor confidence

The benefits continue long after COD.

Questions You Should Ask Before Appointing an ITA

Use these as a checklist:

• What LSS projects have you advised on?

• How do you validate energy yield?

• How often will you visit site?

• How do you report risks?

• Are you fully independent?

Clear answers = strong candidate.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Choosing the wrong advisor can quietly destroy value. Choosing the right one strengthens your LSS project from planning to operation.

This article showed you How to Choose an Independent Technical Advisor for Your LSS Project by focusing on independence, experience, clarity, and real risk management—not marketing promises.

If you’re planning, reviewing, or financing an LSS project and want expert, independent guidance, don’t wait until problems appear.

📞 Call or WhatsApp 0133006284 today to discuss how an Independent Technical Advisor can protect your project, your investment, and your peace of mind.