Electrical inspection of PV plants and solar farms
Electrical inspection of PV plants and solar farms: standards-compliant testing of all components for safe and economical operation.
For the safe, reliable and economic operation of your solar farm, regular electrical inspection is indispensable. We test all relevant components of your photovoltaic plant comprehensively, in line with standards and with modern measuring and test equipment. Testing is carried out without gaps in accordance with current legal requirements, standards and guidelines. Testing is not a formality: it reduces the risk of electric shock and fire, because worn insulation, loose terminals and poor earthing connections can be found before they become a problem. The tests cover DC and AC circuits alike.
In Austria, the OVE E 8101 series of standards with Part 7-712 forms the basis for the planning, installation and operation of photovoltaic plants; the Electrical Engineering Ordinance refers to electrotechnical standards for certain requirements, and which editions and parts are binding is governed by the version currently in force. An initial inspection before commissioning or after substantial changes and recurring inspections are provided for, together with documentation comprising a test report, drawings and circuit diagram. For the maintenance of grid-connected PV plants, technical standards do not set rigid intervals. The cycle depends on plant type, scope of monitoring, manufacturer specifications and site. Technical standards also provide that the initial inspection belongs to installation, while recurring inspections lie within the operator's responsibility; they supplement safety-relevant repeat inspections but do not replace them.
Typical measurements are the continuity of earthing and equipotential bonding, polarity, open-circuit voltage and current per string, insulation resistance and the current-voltage curve. Insulation resistance shows how ageing, moisture, dust, installation errors or rodent damage affect the plant; the usual minimum values describe only the limit state, and outdoors behaviour in heat and humidity counts too. The curve provides indications of cabling or connector faults. With a thermal imaging camera, for example from a drone during operation, loose contacts and overheated connections can be detected that can harm fire protection and availability. The electrically qualified person assesses the technical condition and recommends the necessary measures; responsibility for the safe operation of the plant lies with the operator. Curve measurement in the field is an indicator; in warranty cases manufacturers usually require laboratory measurements at module level. Electroluminescence images can reveal microcracks and interrupted cell connections at module level but do not say anything directly about performance.
This way you detect damage and faults early, before they lead to outages. This protects your yields and increases plant safety. Our highly qualified staff bring experience from planning, implementation and operation of PV projects and assess your plant at expert level. The inspection complements ongoing technical operations management with monitoring and maintenance. After construction, technical acceptance forms the starting point. Commercial operations management is also part of operation. For cables and switchgear in wind farms there is additionally partial discharge measurement. The results belong in a test report that serves as the basis for repair and for evidence towards insurers and operators.
