Solar PV Testing

[chrismidd]

could i have a copy please [email protected]

 

[ColinBrayshaw]

Hi Sorry about the late reply.

Testing the d.c. side of solar PV is covered in: The testing of a system should be carried out to meet the requirements of BS76712008 Part 6 Inspection and Testing, and the d.c. elements should be tested tomeet IEC 62446 and G83/1 also BS7671.

Testing Solar Pv installations is de-mystified on this course.

Learn how to correctly and Safely test your PV installation.

Course duration: OneDay, 8.30am to 4.00pm

Are you fully complying with inspection and test requirements?

Coursedetails:

· Earth continuity of array frame to earthConnection to main earthing terminal
· Polarityof all DC cables
· PV string open circuit voltage test
· PV string short circuit current test
· PV array insulation test
· Operational test – PV string current
· Functional test
· Irradiance

If you still need help. my email is: [email protected].

 

[Ecoheatnw]

Hi, could i also get a copy of your PV array test report, my e-mail address is [email protected]

Cheers

 

[Rajesh Patel]

hi any chance you can send mi a copy of the test sheets please my email addy is [email protected]

 

[dingledong]

yellowvanman i bet you wished you hadn't said anything he he

 

[Rajesh Patel]

hi can anyone give me some advice please its about the testing side of the solar installation i can find Voc and Isc not a problem but how do i find the string Voc and Isc is that the same as the array parameter ?? and how do you do the array installation resistence ?? is it plug the male and female together per string in the loft leaving the modules out thus having a long lead...then at the furthest point like the 16A mcb or AC isolator...belt 500v through the live and earth and the same for neutral and earth. is it safe to put 500v through the invertor ?? its my first test i,ve done 12 installs so far and want to test myself now am doing my inspection and testing 2391 in feb too looking forward to the learning curve!! cheers rajsparky

 

[pvelectrician]

Any chance I could grab copy as well to compare against my own to make sure I havent missed anything? Kind regards, [email protected]

 

[Catesie]

hi yellow van man. any chance the excel file is still available as the one im using is a bit poor. seems yours is in high demand. thanks in [email protected]

 

[water mark]

yellowvanman, if you still have your test file I would appreciate a copy. Many thanks. [email protected]

 

[Eco Deal]

look at all these up and coming mcs installers !!!!!! gonna get harder out there now !!!!

 

[tiddywiddy]

When testing panels, measure the irradiance and cell temperature. Get the temperature co-efficient and irradiance co-efficient of the panels from the manufacturers datasheet. calculate the loss compared to STC (standard test conditions IE 1000W/M2, ambient temp 25C and air mass 1.5) and then you will know if the panels are producing correctly . IE if there was a temperature co-efficient of 0.04V/degree C, then if the cell temperature was 70 degrees C,
STC = 25degrees, Cell temperature - 70 degrees = difference of 45 degrees
45 x 0.04 = 1.8V / panel
1.8V x 16 panels = 28.8V loss across system
Repeat this for your irradiance coefficient and then you will be able to say if the system is working as expected.
so if you got to around 5V loss per panel this would be around 80V less than expected if you just calculated using the Voc of the panels. If not tested this way, you readings would look like 2 panels weren't working/connected

 

[SibertSolar]

Good advice tiddywiddy, temp coefficient for voltage is normally a -ve figure though, even though your calcs do show the 28.8v as a loss rather than an increase. An alternative is to use a Seaward SolarSurvey 200R meter which measures irradiance, inclination, orientation, module temp, air temp all at the same time - and combined with the new PV150 testmeter (wireless link to the SolarSurvey 200R meter), you can run your Voc, Isc, resistance tests at the touch of a button and draw the environment data from the 200R as a snapshot at the same time. All this data can then be downloaded to a PC and imported into the pre-loaded commissioning documents within the SolarCert Elements software. String/array tests can also be repeated post-install and the PV150 will demonstrate whether the panels are performing within the required 5% tolerance of the manufacturer's data - handy for ongoing maintenance contracts etc.

Just an option fyi......

 

[moggy1968]

Is all that really necessary though for testing the array on installation.

 

[SibertSolar]

Depends really Andy, if you are installing relatively large systems, or multiple install teams then the SolarLink test kit is a justifiable expense (£895) as it really does save time and stores up to 200 sets of data. Means carrying less equipment/tools too. Also, I believe a 17th Ed tester can cost upwards of £700 with no-where near the same level of functionality specific to what the Solar PV designer/installer is required to perform and present to the end-customer. The pre-loaded commissioning sheets are designed around the MCS framework/requirements so it can save time and help with handover packs etc. Also, short-circuit and IR testing can often be a pain in the proverbial to perform without concerns over safety and/or damage to the panel/string/array whereas the PV150 unit does it all for you internally (with the help of the DC clamp meter provided in the kit, when needed).

More info on Seaward's site, or here, if needed. I'm getting a bit too commercial on this thread now so I'll leave it alone but I'm always interested to see installer feedback on test procedures/habits etc.

 

[The Solar King]

We use PV100. Just a real pain it cannot be upgraded to PV150. End up shouting "Now" to get irradiance figure from operative on roof measuring same, at same time as measurements are taken. Due to variation in irradiance due to cloud etc we work to 10% variance. We use IR thermometer to measure temp. We input figures to spread sheet to extrapolate back to STC.

Even with PV 100 we test every panel before installation. If you can afford a PV150, it will make your life very easy.