Solar Installation Checklist by Straton Solar https://straton.co.

za/solar 041 505 4600

Item Checked Comment/s

Pre-Sales:

Everyone researches online first so find the companies web site first and
evaluate it in terms of information, look and domain age.

Look for accreditation to valid professional bodies like the Electrical

Contractors Association of South Africa (ECA) SA and CHECK that it is
current.

Look for Social Media accounts and read the comments.

Gauge how long it takes the company to return your call, answer your
question/s and confirm an inspection date.

Ask your friends for referrals (of companies that they have personally used not
from hearsay).

Try Google Searches like; “company name reviews” or “company name praise”
or “company name fraud” etc.

Check sites like Hello Peter for comments by qualified consumers.

The sales call:

Was the salesperson on time?

Did he/she appear knowledgeable?

Did he/she ask essential questions like; “Average consumption over 12

months?”; “What do you want from a renewable energy system?”; “Have you
reduced your consumption or are you on a journey to do so?”; “Where do you
want to place your inverter and batteries?”

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Did the salesperson listen or preach?

Did the salesperson encourage you to continue your education and, more
importantly, get other quotes for the same system?

Didi the salesman ask about or inspect your roof space and roof?

Ask the salesman what types of jobs they have walked away from?

Were you given referrals or proof of other work done?

How many and of what quality systems has the company installed?

Do you feel confident to enter into a long term ‘marriage’ with the
salesperson/company?

The Quote:

Handwritten on a scrap of paper or presented with forethought and in an easily

digestible manner?

Does it lay out the exact equipment being installed?

Are there acceptable lead and payment timelines?

Are the payment terms clear?

Most installers require an upfront payment – do they leave an amount to be

paid on or after completion?

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What warranties are included?

What exceptions will you be expected to pay for?

The Installation:

As your installer delivers stock, check that off against your quotation.

Solar Panels – if Tier 1 was specified check with a quick Google e.g.; “Are
Canadian Solar Panels Tier 1”

Solar Panels – check that ALL the panels are the same wattage as specified
AND preferably from the same manufacturer and date.

Inverter – check that the inverter delivered is the same size and make as
specified

Inverter – check that it is brand new out of the box with no scratches (e.gn look
at the screw heads for wear and tear)

Inverter – check for an owners manual either supplied or available online.

Battery – check for size and manufacturer

Battery – check for manufacturer warranty and spec sheet.

Balance of System – Check that you are getting proper mounting structures
and fastenings – incorrect installations can lead to leaks or wind damage.

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Balance of System – Ask what type of connectors are being used and Google
them.

Balance of System – What gauge wire is being supplied from Solar Panels to
inverter (rule of thumb – thicker is much better, and more expensive)

Balance of System – Each roof type has specific mounting structures and
fastenings tailor made. For example a Harvey Tile roof fastening is completely
different to a clay roof tile roof.

Tools:

The best way to check tools is to ask your installer to walk you through the
process and show you what tools will be used. You will soon get an idea of
whether the installer is well qualified and caring by the state of tools used.

Ask what tools will be used to test the installation and request a demo.

Check for safety equipment.

Before the installation inspection:

You and your installer must walk through the installation and agree/confirm
with you that the areas selected for installation of equipment are correct and/or
possible.

Your installer must explain the time frames and requirements.

You and your installer must have a clear picture of which circuits will be
‘essential’ if you have a battery backup component.

Ask your installer if he/she is qualified and do not be shy to ask for proof.

Be very clear to the installer what your house rules are.

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Trust the installer to do the best job and, if it takes more time than first
estimated, do not hurry the installation rather get an understanding of why the
delay or additional work needs to be done.

During the installation check for some of these items:

Solar Panels:

Solar PV Structure earthed

Solar Panels fastened properly to structure (not with rope/string/cable ties)

PV Cables exposed to sun to be in UV protected sprague/conduit.

PV Cables mechanically protected on pinch points

Check/ask for proof of overload protection.

Labelling.

Lightning Protection.

Connections – certain pieces of equipment demand a certain torque for good

mechanical and electrical connections. Bad (loose) connections are the
leading cause of production loss, heat and fire. The quickest check is to shake
and or pull a connection.

The PV Structure must feel tight and strong to support PV Panels

Solar panels connected in the correct series and or parallel configuration for
the type of inverter and, more importantly, actually connected.

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Check that the solar panel strings are connected through an MPPT and
balanced.

Check that the yield of each MPPT is correct for the amount of panels and time
of day.

Inverter:

Valid inverter settings used.

Current Transformer to support excess power to grid or Islanding as the case

may be is present.

Check for a correct and functioning communication connection to the battery

system.

Check that correct grid settings have been loaded.

Check for adequate Surge Protection.

Check for proper inverter labelling.

Check that any changeover switch wired DOES isolate your system.

Check that the inverter complies with the manufacturers required space and
mounting guidelines – e.g 30 cm of clear space around the inverter.

Check that AC, DC and Comms Cables are not all in the same trunking/conduit
or that they do not run parallel to each other.

Install the inverter app (something you could do or examine BEFORE the order
as well) and check that you can ‘drive’ it with understanding.

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Distribution Board:

Take photographs of your Main Distribution Board BEFORE installation

commences

If your installer is using your existing board then check that there is adequate
space for the additional Circuit Breakers required.

Check for a point of isolation for your system.

Check for a working Earth Leakage Unit.

Check labelling.

Check cabling for neatness.

Check connections – mechanical and electrical.

Check for warning signs.

Check that AC,DC and Comms cables are separate.

Check that your new ‘essential sub DB’ has the circuits on it as discussed –
under most installations no heavy consumers like pumps, geysers, stove etc.
can be connected to this DB.

Battery:

Check Battery for correct installation as per manufacturers guidelines – e.g

level, proper mounting structures used, proper ventilation space.

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Check battery for proper mechanical and electrical connections.

Check that manufacturer specified cables are using for the comms cable to the
inverter – depending on the manufacturer using the wrong cable may void a
warranty and those manufacturer cables can be expensive.

System:

Insist on a Certificate of Compliance from the installer.

Complete the SSEG application for your municipality.

Check that your premises are left neat and tidy.

Check for holes and scratches and get them fixed by the installer whilst still on
premises.

Get a run through with the installer/supervisor/owner/salesperson.

Get a clear picture of what has been installed and where – at this time it is a
good idea to look out for neatness, mechanical and electrical integrity.

Understand what is expected from you to keep your warranties intact.

Ask questions and get an emergency number from your installer.

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