Appendix 3

Testing & Commissioning Procedures

HKU PV Research Group
March 2002
Test & Commissioning Procedures for BIPV Systems

1. Introduction
The HKUPV research group is conducting research into Building Integrated
Photovoltaic (BIPV) projects. Initial funds from the Government’s Environment and
Conservation Fund began the thin-film technology monitoring research in 1997. Recent
funding has allowed the group to carry out building integration demonstration projects
with funds mainly from the Hongkong Electric Co. Ltd. (HEC), the Innovation &
Technology Fund (ITF), CLP Research Institute (CLP RI) and a donation in kind from
Flourcity Architectural Metals Asia.

The object of the HKUPV research group is to promote the application of photovoltaic
(PV) technology and the sophisticated integration of PV in Hong Kong’s buildings. To
fulfill this and other activities, e.g. the setting up of demonstration PV projects, the
group now publishes the document Testing and Commissioning Procedures for BIPV
systems, hereinafter referred as the ‘T&C Procedures’.

The purpose of publishing this T&C Procedures is to set up recommended practice to

guarantee quality installation of photovoltaic systems in Hong Kong. It discusses the
following issues:
• Design stage considerations,
• Detail testing and commissioning procedures
• Checklist examples (3 sections)

2. Design stage considerations

Testing and commissioning of a PV system should be seriously addressed and
planned during the design stage to ensure that appropriate provision is made. It is
recommended to identify the commissioning engineer at an early stage of the design
phase. Sufficient time should be allowed in the construction schedule for testing and
commissioning to be adequately carried out and to ensure that any faults or equipment
defects are identified and rectified. Testing cannot be properly carried out under low
levels of sunlight so extra time should be allowed for testing during rainy seasons.

Testing and commissioning requirements should be clearly stated in the contract

specification. These should include parameters to be tested, test conditions, test
points, values expected and acceptable tolerances. If specialist commissioning is
required, it should also be outlined in the specification.

HKU PV Research :August 2001/revised 19 March 2002 1

Test & Commissioning Procedures for BIPV Systems

3. Detail testing and commissioning procedures

Visual checks will be the most simple and effective way to check the PV system
components prior to and after installation. Special attention has to be paid for:
• cracked or broken glass
• signs of delamination or water infiltration
• broken, damaged or discoloured cells
• loose electrical connections to the junction boxes and leads

After examining the components, electrical tests can then be carried out according to
IEE Wiring Regulations, or Code of Practice for Electricity (Wiring) Regulations – 1997
Edition:

1. Continuity of circuit, protective conductors, equi-potential bonding

2. Earth electrode impedance
3. Insulation resistance
4. Polarity
5. Earth loop impedance
6. Functions of protective devices

For a sensible recording of the PV performance, the array commissioning tests should
be carried out under a reasonable sunlight condition of global irradiance of higher than
400W/m2 onto the plane of PV panels. The tests should be checked against the
system specification and detail design taking into account any change made during
installation as follow:

1. string open circuit voltage

2. string short circuit current
3. string maximum power point voltage
4. string maximum power point current
5. array open circuit voltage
6. array short circuit current
7. array maximum power point voltage
8. array maximum power point current
9. array rated power
10. physical installation including mounting details, orientation, and tilt angle

HKU PV Research :August 2001/revised 19 March 2002 2

Test & Commissioning Procedures for BIPV Systems

3. Detail testing and commissioning procedures/continued

For most of the applications there will be a power conversion unit (PCU) for converting
the power to proper form for usage. A series of power conversion unit functional tests
will then be essential:
1. anti-islanding tests (for grid-connecting inverters)
2. disconnection capability for voltage and frequency disturbances (for grid-
connecting inverters)
3. THD and individual harmonics measurement (for grid-connecting inverters)
4. isolation between dc and ac side (for grid-connecting inverters)
5. power factor recording (for PCU with AC output only)
6. EMI measurement
7. acoustic noise recording
8. visual check on markings

Under certain circumstances, specialist commissioning tests of IV curve measuring,

detail tests of inverter performance and data acquisition system tests may be required.
These circumstances include but are not limited to:

1. requirement for the supplier to provide modules with a specified actual power output
rather than a total nominal power output;

2. guaranteed system performance to deliver a specified number of kWh over a given

period;

3. system requirement for modelling or research purposes requiring an accurate

knowledge of the performance;

4. reference data is required for use in subsequent tests, data analysis, computer
modelling or in devising plant management strategies;

5.it has been specified by the system designer;

6. a problem is suspected within the array and further tests are required to confirm the
nature of the fault and pin-point its location.

HKU PV Research :August 2001/revised 19 March 2002 3

Test & Commissioning Procedures for BIPV Systems

4. Check-list example
The following serves only as an example and detail testing procedures shall be
submitted for approval prior to commence tests.

Project Title:
Client:
Commissioning Engineer:
Date of Tests:
Signature:
Witnessed by:

PV ARRAY PERFORMANCE RESULTS

Parameter Measurement Comments
PV system with n strings
Measured Voc V
Measured Isc A
String 1
Measured Voc V
Measured Isc A
String 2
Measured Voc V
Measured Isc A
String n-1
Measured Voc V
Measured Isc A
String n
Measured Voc V
Measured Isc A
Sun of I for all strings A
=∑ Isc
Specified Isc for system A Not for string PCUs
Specified Isc for each string A For string PCU systems
Lowest measured for Isc strings 1 to n A For string PCU system
Lowest measured for Voc strings 1 to n V
Specified string Voc V

INVERTER PERFORMANCE RESULTS

Parameter Symbol Measurements
Inverter serial number
d.c. array power PA kW
d.c. inverter input PII kW
a.c. inverter output PIO kW
Rated inverter efficiency at %
measured d.c. input power
(from supplier’s information)
Measured Inverter efficiency (PIO / PII ) x 100 %

Symbol Description Units

PA Array output power (d.c.) kW
PII Inverter input power (d.c.) kW
PIO Inverter output power (a.c.) kW
end

HKU PV Research :August 2001/revised 19 March 2002 4