Solar PV Inspection 2024

• Site conducted

  Select

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Customer

• Site Reference (if applicable)

• Works order reference / purchase order no. (if applicable)

• Asset/building owner

Weather conditions

• What are the weather conditions for the day of this inspection?

  Select Hot Cold Average for time of year Raining Dry Intermittent rain Gentle breeze Moderate breeze Strong winds

  • Hot
  • Cold
  • Average for time of year
  • Raining
  • Dry
  • Intermittent rain
  • Gentle breeze
  • Moderate breeze
  • Strong winds

• What is approximate temperature?

• What is approximate temperature?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What is approximate temperature?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What approximate wind speed is forecast?

• Is it safe to continue?

  Yes

  No

Health & Safety

• Has a Risk Assessment & Method Statement (RAMS) been produced for this inspection?

  Yes

  No

• Where have the PV panels been installed?

  Car Ports

• What form of access to the roof is available to carry out the inspection?

  Cherry Picker/scissor lift

  Internal Stairway

  External Stairway

  Internal ladder

  External ladder

• Does the operative hold a current IPAF 3a/3b licence?

  Yes

  No

• What date does the LOLER certificate expire?

• Does the operative have the appropriate PPE to wear? (Hard hat with chin strap, harness, lanyard, gloves, safety boots)

  Yes

  No

• Has the cherry picker been inspected?

  Yes

  No

• Is there a requirement to lock/control the access to the primary access route to the roof?

  Yes

  No

• Is there adequate lighting leading up to the roof access point?

  Yes

  No

• Is the route to the access point safe and free from obstructions?

  Yes

  No

• Is the access free from site specific restrictions/issues? (e.g. time restrictions)

  Yes

  No

• Is there a requirement to lock/control the access to the primary access route to the roof?

  Yes

  No

• Is there adequate lighting leading up to the roof access point?

  Yes

  No

• Is the route to the access point safe and free from obstructions?

  Yes

  No

• Is the access free from site specific restrictions/issues? (e.g. time restrictions)

  Yes

  No

• Is there a requirement to lock/control the access to the primary access route to the roof?

  Yes

  No

• Is there adequate lighting leading up to the roof access point?

  Yes

  No

• Has the ladder been checked in accordance with HSE guidelines?

  Yes

  No

• Is the ladder suitable for the task to be carried out?

  Yes

  No

• Is there a requirement to lock/control the access to the primary access route to the roof?

  Yes

  No

• Is there adequate lighting leading up to the roof access point?

  Yes

  No

• Has the ladder been checked in accordance with HSE guidelines?

  Yes

  No

• Is the ladder suitable for the task to be carried out?

  Yes

  No

• Is the route to the panels safe and free from obstacles?

  Yes

  No

• Has the person conducting this inspection been trained to carry out this inspection safely and are they competent to carry out the inspection?

  Yes

  No

• What method of communication is in place with a ground floor operative when needed, or in the event of an emergency?

  Direct communication (verbal)

  Two way radio (walkie talkie)

  Mobile phone

  Other

• What method of fall prevention is available on the roof?

  Select Parapet over 1.1m high Handrail over 1.1m high Mansafe system Anchor Points (fixed or temporary) None

  • Parapet over 1.1m high
  • Handrail over 1.1m high
  • Mansafe system
  • Anchor Points (fixed or temporary)
  • None

• What date does the mansafe system expire on?

• Is there any damage to the roof immediately visible?

  Yes

  No

Solar PV Modules

• Who is the module manufacturer?

• Are there any broken/damaged panels immediately visible?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any signs of

  Select Snail trails Delamination Hot Spots Discolouration Yellowing of backsheet Other panel deformities

  • Snail trails
  • Delamination
  • Hot Spots
  • Discolouration
  • Yellowing of backsheet
  • Other panel deformities

• How clean are the panels?

  Select Clean – output unlikely to be affected Isolated areas of residue - output unlikely to affected Dirty – likely to cause reduction in system output Very dirty – likely to cause significant reduction in output

  • Clean – output unlikely to be affected
  • Isolated areas of residue - output unlikely to affected
  • Dirty – likely to cause reduction in system output
  • Very dirty – likely to cause significant reduction in output

• Where on site is there a water point that can connected to, for panel cleaning?

• Are there any signs of missing panels or panels that have slipped from their mounting?

  Yes

  No

Mounting Frame

• Which manufacturer is the mounting frame by?

• Has a visual check of the mounting frame been carried out?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any signs of corrosion on the mounting frame or clamps?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any loose/missing mid clamps?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any loose/missing end clamps?

  Yes

  No

• Is a torque check required for this site? (5% of site if safe to do so)

  Yes

  No

• Has ballast been used to secure the modules in place?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any signs that ballast is insufficient or has moved?

  Yes

  No

• Is an earthing system between tables of modules present?

  Yes

  No

DC Cabling & Containment

• Where do the DC cables penetrate the roof/building?

• Do the DC cables penetrate the roof/building adequately?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any cables touching sharp edges within the cable containment?

  Yes

  No

• Is the cabling labelled correctly? (DANGER – Live DC Cables)

  Yes

  No

• Is the cable conduit in good condition and elevated above the roof surface?

  Yes

  No

• Have the DC cables been cable tied to the containment?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any signs of DC connectors (MC4’s) at risk of water ingress? (In pooled water etc.)

  Yes

  No

• Have the DC connectors been torqued correctly? (There should be no thread visible to prevent water ingress)

  Yes

  No

• Is there any evidence of mismatched DC connectors?

  Yes

  No

• Is there any evidence of DC leakage or DC corrosion near to a DC connector?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any damaged DC connectors visible?

  Yes

  No

• Have junction boxes been located to avoid water ingress?

  Yes

  No

  Not applicable

• Have combiner boxes been installed?

  Yes

  No

  Not applicable

• How many combiner boxes have been installed?

• What condition are the combiner boxes in?

  Good

  Fair

  Poor

• Have DC isolators been installed on every string?

  Yes

  No

• Have the DC isolators been labelled correctly?

  Yes

  No

• Has the DC cabling been physically separated from the AC cabling? (not in same cable trunking)

  Yes

  No

• Is there evidence of a Fireman’s Switch (DC disconnect/isolation) having been installed?

  Yes

  No

undefined

• Yes

  No

  N/A
Inverters

• Inverter manufacturer

• Model

• Serial number

• Number of strings

• String number

  Select String 1 String 2 String 3 String 4 String 5 String 6 String 7 String 8 String 9 String 10 String 11 String 12 String 13 String 14 String 15 String 16 String 17 String 18 String 19 String 20

  • String 1
  • String 2
  • String 3
  • String 4
  • String 5
  • String 6
  • String 7
  • String 8
  • String 9
  • String 10
  • String 11
  • String 12
  • String 13
  • String 14
  • String 15
  • String 16
  • String 17
  • String 18
  • String 19
  • String 20

• Open circuit voltage

• Short Circuit Current - Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance - RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance -Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current - Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance - RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance -Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current

• Insulation Resistance - RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current - Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance - RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current - Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance - RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current – Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance – RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current – Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance – RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current – Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance – RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current – Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance – RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current – Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance – RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current – Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance – RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Open Circuit Voltage

• Short Circuit Current – Isc (Amps)

• Insulation Resistance – RISO (Ohms)

• String Series Resistance - Rs

• Does the inverter show any signs of damage?

  Yes

  No

• Are all the cables (AC & DC) securely connected?

  Yes

  No

• Does the inverter have an inbuilt DC isolator?

  Yes

  No

• Are the isolators operating correctly? (Turn off/on to test)

  Yes

  No

• Is the ground connection securely connected?

  Yes

  No

• Is there sufficient ventilation around the inverter?

  Yes

  No

• Have the inverter heat sinks/fans been checked for obstruction/dust?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any warning or error messages displayed?

  Yes

  No

• Has a thermographic image been taken of the inverter and combiner box?

  Yes

  No

Electrical Distribution

• Has the Helios "Last Inspection" inspection sticker been completed and displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are site schematics present, clearly displayed, and correct?

  Yes

  No

• Is the emergency shutdown procedure clearly displayed?

  Yes

  No

• Is the O&M Manual relating to the PV system present?

  Yes

  No

• Check presence and condition of G59/G99 relay

  Good

  Fair

  Poor

• Check protection settings of relay

  Pass

  Fail

• Is the safe isolation procedure displayed on the distribution boards?

  Yes

  No

• Check integrity of sealing/weather proofing of LV AC cabinets.

  Pass

  Fail

• Check integrity of door locking mechanism

  Pass

  Fail

• Is there any debris, rubbish or waste inside the LV AC cabinets?

  Yes

  No

• Undertake thermographic inspection of LV AC cabinets

  Yes

  No

• Is the next/last inspection date sticker displayed at the distribution board?

  Yes

  No

• Visual check of all fuses

  Pass

  Fail

• Visual check of condition of MCB’s, RCD’s, isolators & surge arrestors

  Good

  Fair

  Poor

• Prove mechanical operation of switches & circuit breakers – open the circuit breaker /switch

  Pass

  Fail

• Have dual supply labels been applied to all equipment & enclosures?

  Yes

  No

Metering

• Location of the meters

  On site

  Off site

• Inside DNO substation

  Inside Private substation

  Inside Comms/Plant room

  Separate meter room/enclosure

  Other

• Generation meter make

• Generation meter model & serial number

• What is the

  Select Time Date Generation reading (kWh) Export reading (kWh)

  • Time
  • Date
  • Generation reading (kWh)
  • Export reading (kWh)

• Has a check meter been installed?

  Yes

  No

• What is the

  Select Make Model & serial number Time & Date Generation reading (kWh) Export reading (kWh)

  • Make
  • Model & serial number
  • Time & Date
  • Generation reading (kWh)
  • Export reading (kWh)

Monitoring

• Has the ability to remotely monitor the PV system been installed?

  Yes

  No

• What parameters are available to be measured?

  Electricity Generation

  Solar Irradiance

  Temperature

  Other

• Make and model of monitoring equipment

• Yes

  No

  N/A

• What make and model of pyranometer has been installed

• Location of the pyranometer(s)

• Condition of the pyranometer

  Good

  Fair

  Poor

• Check the security fittings of the pyranometer

  Good

  Poor

  Fair

Any other comments

• Are there any other factors not contained in this report that could affect the performance of the PV system?

  Yes

  No

• What make and model of temperature sensor has been installed?

• Denote other monitoring equipment

• What is the make and model of the generation meter?

• What is the serial number of the generation meter?

• What is the...

  Select Generation reading (kWh) Export reading (kWh) Display date Time

  • Generation reading (kWh)
  • Export reading (kWh)
  • Display date
  • Time

• Has a check meter been installed?

  Yes

  No

• What is the...

  Make and model?

  Serial number?

  Export reading?

  Generation reading?

  Date & time?

Monitoring

• Has the ability to remotely monitor the PV system been installed?

  Yes

  No

• What parameters are available to measure?

  Select Electricity generation Solar irradiance Ambient temperature Wind speeds

  • Electricity generation
  • Solar irradiance
  • Ambient temperature
  • Wind speeds

• Inverter or panel level monitoring?

  Inverter

  Panel level

• What monitoring equipment has been installed?

• Is the monitoring equipment operational?

  Yes

  No

• Are there any error messages visible?

  Yes

  No

• What monitoring equipment has been installed?

• Where is the pyranometer located?

• Condition of the pyranometer

  Good

  Fair

  Poor

• Cleanliness of the pyranometer

  Clean

  Moderate soiling

  Heavily soiled

• Check the security fittings of the pyranometer

  Good

  Fair

  Poor

• Where are the temperature sensors located?

• What is the temperature sensor

  Select Make Model Serial number

  • Make
  • Model
  • Serial number

• Check the security fittings of the sensors

  Good

  Fair

  Poor

• Where is the anemometer located?

• Is the anemometer operating?

  Yes

  No

Completion

• Has the work area been left in the condition that it was found in?

  Yes

  No

• Additional notes/recommendations