You might have a solar photovoltaic system installed on the rooftop, complete with a battery pack and a grid connection. However, before you go ahead and switch it on, you need to inspect all the elements thoroughly.
INSPECTION
MECHANICAL ELEMENTS
Do a thorough inspection of all the following mechanical elements in the solar photovoltaic system:
RACKING
Make sure that the modules are tightly connected to your racking system (also known as the “mounting structure”). They must be grounded properly and the structure must be attached securely to the footing system.
FOOTING
These structures keep the racking in its place, be it on a rooftop or on the ground. Make sure that the location is as specified in the design and that the correcting hardware is used for the systems. If it is a rooftop solar system, you need to make sure that there is no water seepage inside the building.
PV MODULES
Check thoroughly for any defects across the individual solar cells as they are an indication of faulty cells. You also need to check for defects in the construction strip welding, the overall alignment of the solar modules according to the specifications in the system design. If the orientation is not right, the solar photovoltaic system will not be able to deliver the optimal power output.
ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS
Apart from the mechanical elements, the following electrical components also need to be checked thoroughly:
PV MODULES
Make sure that you have the line drawings ready and are familiar with all the terminologies. Even if you do not have the time to get well-versed with all that, check to see if they have installed the correct number of modules.
BATTERIES
Make sure that the ventilation is adequate, the enclosure is safe and the wiring is correct. The last one is extremely important as there can be a lot of serious damage to the batteries or even an explosion if the wiring is not correct.
CHARGE CONTROLLERS
Make sure that the charge controllers are in the proper location. Usually, they are mounted close to the battery bank or the inverter. Make sure that the disconnects and current surge protection devices are present on both the output and input sides.
INVERTERS
If the solar system is connected to the local grid, you need to make sure that the inverter voltage and the grid voltage match. Also, make sure you check for cooling measures. It should be installed in a shaded, open location with enough airflow to dissipate the heat. You should also check to see that the input voltage range matches the output of the module.
CONDUITS AND CONDUCTORS
Check the integrity of the breakage and insulation and see if the right size/gauge has been used (according to the specifications in the system design). Check for the color coding as well. As for the conduits, check to see that they cover the conductors properly. Also, make sure that the correct support structures and expansion fittings used.
Inspecting the solar photovoltaic system will not only ensure that the integrity of the installation and system design is intact, but will also guarantee that nothing undesirable will happen when you switch the system on. H.E.S. Solar’s professional and highly qualified solar technicians thoroughly inspect every solar photovoltaic system after installation and before you flip the switch on. If you or anyone you know is interested in adding a solar system to your home or business sign-up for your free solar evaluation.