Solar supply on test reports

There seems to be all sort bit of the electrical installation that seem to get ignored during "normal" EICRs even though they seem to be within scope of BS 7671 - the obvious one being central heating controls. So I guess there is a precident for treating a conventional grid-tied PV system in a similar way - i.e. just test/inspect up to the AC isolator next to the inverter.

For additions/alterations on the rest of the system, as ever, you're only certifying your own new work, the 'comments on the existing installation' box is there if you happen to notice anything obvious, but I don't believe you're under any obligation to test or inspect anything existing that your new work doesn't directly rely on.

I can see an argument that I&T of solar PV systems should be seen as a specialist task - not so much from an electrical point of view, but to do a proper job will need access to the d.c. side and thus the panels themselves - which will likely mean going onto the roof will all the access equipment and working at height complications that it's probably not reasonable for a run-of-the-mill electrician to be equipped for.

As with any on-site generation, some extra care will be needed to ensure things are properly made dead - especially if a complete installation shutdown is being avoided. Generally think in terms of looking to isolate both ends of what you're working on rather than just the 'supply' end of conventional thinking - just in case the on-site generation is connected to the load end.

   - Andy.

AJJewsbury said:

As with any on-site generation, some extra care will be needed to ensure things are properly made dead - especially if a complete installation shutdown is being avoided.

Agreed - the difficulties in that may be:

• Deciding which part (or parts) of the installation are fed by the backup supply in island mode - this will change between installations, and depends on a number of factors such as the way the manufacturer of the system components arranges the switching necessary for island mode operation, and some decisions the system installer or integrator put in place.
• The fact that there can be a suitably long pause between main isolator, or power conversion equipment (PCE) isolator going off, and the backup supply coming on-line.

Of course, having adequate documentation, signage and schematics available are essential in this respect, but an understanding of system operation might also be necessary.

I worry that, as this type of system goes mainstream, we could be behind the curve in CPD for its implementation (especially for those who aren't involved in the original installation).

To illustrate this, the title of this thread is "Solar supply on test reports", we know what the OP has said and asked... yet we've had Solar PV in BS 7671 for 14 years now, and in people's homes for longer. No criticism ... and definitely an indicator of competence for the OP to know limitations, but an illustration that the industry as a whole moves far more slowly than even the standards that support it, which are often criticised for being behind innovation and the advance of technology.

AJJewsbury said:

As with any on-site generation, some extra care will be needed to ensure things are properly made dead - especially if a complete installation shutdown is being avoided.

Agreed - the difficulties in that may be:

• Deciding which part (or parts) of the installation are fed by the backup supply in island mode - this will change between installations, and depends on a number of factors such as the way the manufacturer of the system components arranges the switching necessary for island mode operation, and some decisions the system installer or integrator put in place.
• The fact that there can be a suitably long pause between main isolator, or power conversion equipment (PCE) isolator going off, and the backup supply coming on-line.

Of course, having adequate documentation, signage and schematics available are essential in this respect, but an understanding of system operation might also be necessary.

I worry that, as this type of system goes mainstream, we could be behind the curve in CPD for its implementation (especially for those who aren't involved in the original installation).

To illustrate this, the title of this thread is "Solar supply on test reports", we know what the OP has said and asked... yet we've had Solar PV in BS 7671 for 14 years now, and in people's homes for longer. No criticism ... and definitely an indicator of competence for the OP to know limitations, but an illustration that the industry as a whole moves far more slowly than even the standards that support it, which are often criticised for being behind innovation and the advance of technology.