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Solar PV

Ryan Smyth

Good afternoon. 

The IET code of practice for Grid connected Photovoltaic systems 2nd edition states: “The interval between periodic verifications may be specified by the client, by the installation company or linked to service contracts, warranty conditions or performance guarantees”.

Does anyone know of any further guidance on the inspection and testing intervals for the solar PV installation (AC and DC side).

Thanks in advance.

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  • 0 in reply to lyledunn

    Hi,

    Yes I’m finding this to be the case also.

    With regard to BS7671, regulation 110.1.2 which outlines the scope for which these regulations apply to, regulation 110.1.2 (a) states the following: “circuits supplied at nominal voltages up to and including 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC. For AC, the preferred frequencies which are taken into account in BS 7671 are 50 Hz, 60 Hz and 400 Hz. The use of frequencies for social purposes is not excluded.”

    With that said, is there an argument there to say that as a minimum, this should fall under the scope of an EICR?

    A low level testing facility box with a link can be installed to remove the need for access to the roof during an EICR (I understand this means the entire regime of maintenance for the panels will not take place, such as cleaning of panels etc, however the electrical testing of the panels will be carried out proving the integrity of the system).

  • 0 in reply to Ryan Smyth

    A low level testing facility box with a link can be installed

    What "testing" of the panels/DC side do you envisage? Typically they're double/reinforced insulation, so no c.p.c. to insulation test to (many inverters will spot a DC earth fault anyway), they're effectively permanently live so no dead tests between live conductors, Zs doesn't make sense...  What would a link box give you that access to the terminals on the DC isolator doesn't already?

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to lyledunn
    lyledunn said:
    I think you will find insurance companies are becoming a key driver in such matters. 

    Agreed. We have a substantial area of flat roof, but the insurers will cover it only if it is inspected every other year.

    That might have been quite a palaver at one time, but it seems that it is done by drone nowadays.

    I suspect that along similar lines, insurers may exclude panels which have not been inspected within the past so many years.

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