Clean GRID-CONNECTED PV SYSTEMS ( No Battery Storage)

Energy Installation, Testing and Commissioning Checklist

Council for Accredited Installers and Supervisors

INSTALLATION CHECKLIST SIGNAGE ( White on Red ) AS 4777.1 & Appendix A

WARNING is permanently fixed

PV ARRAY Dual Supply
Mounted flat on roof
Isolate Both Normal and Solar on the switchboard.
Supplies before working on this
Building integrated
Normal Supply is permanently fixed at the main switch
Mounted on tilted array frame MAIN SWITCH
PV Array tilt ……………………°
Solar Supply is permanently fixed at the
PV Array orientation ……………………° MAIN SWITCH
main solar switch
PV Array is securely fixed and installed If the solar system is connected to a distribution board
in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations then the following sign is located on main switchboard
Any timber used is suitable for and all intermediate distribution boards
external use or is properly sealed WARNING
DUAL SUPPLY ISOLATE
No dissimilar metals are in contact SOLAR SUPPLY AT
with the array frames or supports DISTRIBUTION BOARD DB???
Roof penetrations are suitably
sealed and weatherproofed Where the inverter is not adjacent to the
PV wiring losses are less than 1% main switchboard, location information is provided
at the maximum current output of the array Warning and Advisory Signs AS/NZS 5033 & Appendix G
Where PV array comprises multiple strings
is permanently fixed
- string protection has been provided AS/NZS 5033 on array junction boxes
SOLAR DC
Wiring is protected from UV and ( Black on White )
mechanical damage
Fire Emergency information is
Weatherproof isolator permanently fixed on the main
( where required by local electricity distributor)
switchboard
is mounted immediately adjacent to the PV array
INVERTER ( White on Red )
Double pole DC isolator [ or DC circuit breaker ]
is mounted close to input of the inverter
( rating. ..….A ) Shutdown procedure is permanently fixed
If d.c. isolator is of the polarised type then it is at inverter and/or on main switchboard
correctly connected to ensure operation under full load Any other signage as required by
Isolator is mounted on output of the inverter the local Electricity Distributor
(can be part of inverter) 230-240 VOLT (LV) INSTALLATION
Lockable AC circuit breaker mounted within the All low voltage wiring has been installed
switchboard to act as the main switch by a licensed electrical tradesperson
for the PV / inverter system. ( rating …….. A ) All wiring has been tested and approved
Inverter is inside building or in weatherproof by a qualified electrical tradesperson
enclosure with adequate space and ventilation
LV DC CABLING is clearly identified This checklist is based on the Clean Energy Council’s GC Design and
– LV DC or similar at least every 3 metres Installation Guidelines. The Guidelines demonstrate the latest industry
"best practice" and are to be read in conjunction with the relevant
Australian Standards.

AUTHORISATION : I, ………………..…….................……... CEC Accreditation number ………………….. verify that the

following system has been installed to the standard indicated by these guidelines and complies with all applicable Australian Standards
Name of the person for whom the system was installed …………………………………………………………………………..
Location of system ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
signed ……………………………………….. Date : / / Attach a separate sheet detailing any departures

Issue 6 September 2010 Page 8

Clean GRID-CONNECTED PV SYSTEMS ( No Battery Storage)
Energy Installation, Testing and Commissioning Checklist
Council for Accredited Installers and Supervisors

TESTING and COMMISSIONING

WARNING:
PV ARRAY- d.c.
The following procedures describe how to measure
NOTE : where there is only 1 string and short circuit currents - the voltages can be very high
no array junction box, then the following tests and if the procedures are not followed then arcing
will be conducted between the string and the and damage to components could occur.
PV array isolator at the inverter.
Note: Some projects require that short circuit
Isolate PV string and array wiring currents are recorded as part of the contractual
CHECK that there is no voltage on input commissioning; otherwise a record of the actual
OR output sides of any array junction box operating current of each string is sufficient.
( where installed ) This could be done by using the meter on the inverter or
CHECK by using a clamp meter when the system is operational.
Continuity between strings and array junction box
FROM PV STRING
String 1 +ve 1. Where short circuit currents
String 1 -ve are required undertake the
following steps to measure the
String 2 +ve
short circuit current safely as
String 2 -ve shown in Figure 3:
OFF OFF
String 3 +ve Ensure each string fuse
(where required)
String 3 -ve
is not connected or that LV
......
array is disconnected in the
Continuity between middle of the string as
WIRE
array junction box and PV array isolator LINK shown in Figure 1 of these
guidelines.
CHECK CLAMP
Polarity of PV string and array wiring METER 2. Leave solar array cable
Figure 3 connected to the PV array
String 1 isolator.
String 2 3. Remove the cable from the PV Array isolator to the
String 3 inverter.
...... 4. With the PV array isolator off - put a link or small
Array +ve cable between the positive and negative outputs of the
PV array isolator.
Array -ve
5. Install the string fuse for string 1 or connect the ELV
segments to complete the wiring of the string.
Polarity of wiring between Turn on PV array isolator - using a d.c. clamp meter
array junction box and PV array isolator measure the DC short circuit current for String 1. Turn
off PV array isolator. Disconnect string fuse for string 1
WARNING: or remove links to break string into ELV segments.
IF POLARITY OF ONE STRING IS REVERSED, THIS
CAN CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ARRAY JUNCTION BOX. 6. Repeat point 5 for each string
7. After each string has been individually measured –
RECORD PV string ensure PV array isolator is off- then install all string
open circuit Voltage String 1 …………………V fuses or connect the ELV segments of each string. Turn
on PV array isolator and measure d.c. Array current
String 2 …………………V using clamp meter. Turn off switch and remove link in
output of PV array isolator.
String 3 …………………V

Issue 6 September 2010 Page 9

Clean GRID-CONNECTED PV SYSTEMS ( No Battery Storage)
Energy Installation, Testing and Commissioning Checklist
Council for Accredited Installers and Supervisors

Where short circuit currents are not required then

record the operating current/s after Start-Up of System. Start-Up of System
RECORD Refer to system manual for the inverter
Short circuit Currents String 1 …………………A and follow start-up procedure.
(where required)
String 2 ………………… A This generally involves turning on the PV DC main
switch followed by the Solar AC main switch but the
String 3 ………………… A procedures as recommended by the inverter
String 4 …………………. A manufacturer must be followed.

Array ………………… A System connects to grid [ after 60 seconds ]

Irradiance at time of recording the current …………W/m
2 When the AC main switch is turned ON
- follow the inverter start-up procedure -
With the PV array isolator OFF
CHECK continuity Voltage at d.c. input of inverter ……..…..……..V
between PV array isolator and inverter
Array +ve Voltage is within operating limits of inverter
Array -ve Voltage at a.c. output of inverter ……..…..……..V
CHECK polarity Input power of the inverter ..……………..……..W
between the PV array isolator and inverter ( where available )
Output power of the inverter ..……………..……..W
RECORD Open circuit voltage at ( where available )
input side of the PV array isolator ..…………….V Output power as expected
WARNING: If polarity is reversed at the inverter
damage may occur which is generally not covered Turn AC main switch OFF
under warranty System immediately disconnects from grid
INVERTER - a.c.
PV operating current
Ensure that the a.c. normal supply is isolated
and the main switch Solar supply is OFF 1. Where there’s only one string in the array record the
operating current after Start-Up of System.
CHECK continuity
between Inverter & main switch Solar supply 2. If more than one string - turn off the inverter, the a.c.
main switch and d.c. main switch. Isolate all strings.
Line
3. With one string connected at a time turn system back
Neutral
on and record the operating current of that string.
CHECK continuity
between main switch Solar supply & kWh meter Repeat 2 and 3 above
until all string currents have been recorded.
Line
NOTE: Unless you have a solar irradiance meter then any
Neutral
string current tests should be performed on a bright sunny day
CHECK polarity with no cloud. This is to avoid varied readings due to cloud
at the Inverter and the main switch Solar supply cover.
CHECK polarity at the output
of main switch Solar supply from the kWh meter Initial RECORD
operating currents : String 1 …………………A
reading of kWh meter ………………………….
String 2 ………………… A
Accredited Installer Name………………………………...... String 3 ………………… A
Signed……….....……………………. Date……………….. String 4 …………………. A
Maxwell Higgins
Licensed Electrician Name……………………………….... Array ………………… A

Signed…………………….....………. Date………………..

Issue 6 September 2010 Page 10