solar panels installation and test on allotment site

[Laudan]

hi
we are after some funding for solar panels for a community allotment meeting room. 4 x 100 watt panels , controller and inverter. all come as part of a kit and will only be used to charge power tools and lighting..i am a retired industrial spark so will be installing it myself. problem is the funders are stating that installation will need to be tested and paper certificate supplied. What are peoples thoughts, is this neccesary, no indication of this from supplier and there customer service says no as it is a complete DIY install kit. any advice would be much appreciated as i need to give them evidence it is not reqd before they release funding. cheers

 

[BXB]

Whilst testing is generally always necessary, for such a small system I wouldn't think it's essential if in a pre-built kit format. I would either;

Ask the suppliers' customer service team to put in writing that testing and certification is not necessary on the system, and they are happy for it to be installed on a DIY basis. Send that to the funders, and it should satisfy them (unless they are particularly pedantic).

or

Test the system yourself during installation, and use forms like the ones here (Solar PV Test Forms and Commissioning Certificates - https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/solar-pv-test-forms-and-commissioning-certificates.44461/) to record the results (most likely N/A for most as the system is so small), then the funders have a test record and will just need to understand that for such a small off grid system there is no certification scheme in place.

Hope that helps, funders can be a right PITA as they often understand very little outside their immediate realm!

 

[FatAlan]

Whether it’s a requirement or not it may just be a condition of the ‘funders’. May be the usual backside covering exercise to ensure they have no liability if they have funded a dangerous installation. My thoughts FWIW.