Quality control mechanisms, including post-compact ownership models, should be entrenched early in the compact design and implementation to ensure sustainable outcomes for MCC infrastructure investments. The evaluation noted that multiple solar-powered batteries experienced unanticipated quality issues soon after implementation leading to post-compact major breakdowns and failure. Extensive engineering supervisory oversight should be utilized during design, procurement, and technical capability assessments to ensure quality control for implementation, operations, and maintenance, even (and perhaps especially) when applied to grant facilities. This should include allowing more time pre-implementation to address assumption gaps in technology demand and utilizations, and adequate time for the grant to mature into operational phase for updated observations before compact closeout. MCC compact investment timelines should include realistic uptake periods to test technologies before compact closeout.
Lesson Learned