The photovoltaic installation involves several stages, from the feasibility study, the technical visit, and the project presentation to the system installation. But make no mistake, it doesn’t end there. After installation, you must conduct the final inspection of the system to ensure that the project is functioning in accordance with all quality and commissioning requirements, whether it is a 3kw or 5kw solar panel installation.
With this in mind, I prepared this text to explain the importance of inspecting the photovoltaic installation. Do you know which points should be observed to ensure the best performance of your system? Keep reading, and I’ll explain!
How important is it to inspect the photovoltaic installation?
The objective of the inspection is to ensure that the system was installed correctly, analyzing all mounting points and equipment performance. Remember that this final installation assessment prevents future system problems, such as structures with loose fixings or incorrectly sized modules.
In this way, the solar installer responsible for the inspection ensures that all technical requirements have been met, ensuring the operational quality of the system.
Inspection of the photovoltaic installation will ensure:
1. That the entire installation was carried out in accordance with the design;
2. That all equipment is fixed and connected correctly;
3. The identification and resolution of any risks or problems.
The fact is that the inspection of the photovoltaic installation is super important for both the service provider and the customer, as it ensures the transparency of information, the quality of service, and the proper functioning of the solar energy system.
The ideal scenario is for the installer to have a checklist document for the inspection containing all the technical points that must be reviewed. Thus, in addition to controlling the inspection and not failing to verify any point, he can present the document to the customer, demonstrating professionalism, safety, and quality of service.
Document for inspection of the installed photovoltaic system
There is no longer any doubt, regardless of the size of your solar project, inspection of the system after installation is part of the process and cannot be neglected.
The post-installation inspection is one of the stages of the solar energy project, it is the final attention that the photovoltaic system needs to guarantee the high level of performance of the components and equipment.
Due to the importance of the inspection of the photovoltaic installation, I have separated a list with all the points that must be checked.
1. Connecting the solar generator to the power utility
The first step is to find out whether the access request was made to the energy concessionaire. The access request is the application that must be submitted to the energy distributor in your region, and the document must be completed.
It is worth remembering that each energy concessionaire has standardized documents and procedures. The technician responsible for the installation must check the requirements and documents to be delivered. Only then can he guarantee the implementation of a photovoltaic generation system.
2. Installation of PV modules
There are detailed technical characteristics for installing each solar energy system. Fixing the structures, orientation, and inclination of the plates, checking the components, and checking the cabling and wiring are points of attention that must follow technical quality standards.
So, during the photovoltaic system inspection process, ensure that:
1. The structures and modules are correctly fixed, with adequate torque and without gaps;
2. The modules do not have physical defects that impair their operation;
3. There are no higher points that could generate shading on the plates, considering the movement of the sun and seasons;
4. The connectors are well-crimped and connected;
5. The grounding cable is well-connected to the solar panel structure;
6. All supports were placed on top of the tile;
7. All holes are sealed, preventing infiltration.
3. Inverter installation
Like all electrical installations, the photovoltaic system must receive special attention regarding installation locations. Ensure that the inverter is installed in an easily accessible, ventilated location, protected against rain, in accordance with the instructions in the product manual.
Furthermore, the inverter must have been installed following the minimum spacing established for each product model, thus offering ideal ventilation conditions for the equipment.
4. Inverters
The inverter is the equipment that transforms the direct current generated by photovoltaic panels into alternating current, thus producing electrical energy. Therefore, both direct current input inverters and alternating current output inverters must receive attention during the inspection procedure.
1. The connectors must be well-crimped;
2. Cables waiting for connection to the inverter must be identified with a label and washer, indicating the number of modules in the string and the orientation of the roof;
3. Check the polarity of the cables;
4. Check that the cables are securely attached to the connection terminals;
5. Check that the screws are tight.
It is worth remembering that it is important that the installer has all the specifications of the transformer used in the project and makes all electrical measurements of direct and alternating current, ensuring the correct recording of this information.
Alternating the current protection board
It is the frame designed to protect the inverter against power grid surges. During the inspection, check:
1. If all cables are connected correctly;
2. If the circuit breaker’s type and capacity comply with the project’s electrical diagram.
Solar Generator Monitoring
The inverter is the device that manages electricity production from your photovoltaic system. Through it, you will monitor your system’s power generation. The inverter must be connected to the platform that monitors the photovoltaic system, allowing monitoring to be done directly by your cell phone through an application.
In other words, the installer must connect and configure the energy production monitoring application and present and explain how all monitoring works.
Finally, it is worth remembering that the technician must follow all these inspection procedures, following the entire process through a document, to avoid missing any point. It is also essential to take pictures of each step for registration and customer follow-up.
Qualified and certified professionals
Photovoltaic installation requires specific professional skills, so qualified professionals can only do so. The professional installer must follow the manufacturers’ guidelines and comply with all safety procedures and technical requirements.
Inspection of the photovoltaic installation aims to ensure the system’s correct functioning, the equipment’s quality, and the technical commitment of the service performed. Therefore, it cannot be neglected.