Installation day checklist
As the day of your install approaches and on the day of install - clarify these items:
0. First & foremost - recheck that their MCS/Flex-orb certification is valid. Also take photos of your roof, the aspects scaffold will be installed on and the interior of your roof. That way if there's any damage you'll have before pictures. Also keep the camera handy on the day and take as many pictures as you can - especially of anything you're unsure about.
1. If the install will result in total inverter capacity (existing plus new) of greater than 3.6kw ask to see the DNO G99 approval before they start
2. Check that the equipment they’re about to install the same as was listed on the quote and the DNO approval
3. Check that the kit is all new & in good condition. Look for wear and tear - we've seen examples where installers have reused kit removed from other installs
4. If the system is roof mounted
- Are they using scaffold or ladders (and what was on the quote)
- Are the tile hooks that are going to be used correct for your roof type. If unsure, don't let them start the install until you're sure. Page 13-14 of this document might help
https://www.nhbc.co.uk/binaries/content/assets/nhbc/foundation/guide-to-installation-of-renewable-energy-systems-on-roofs-of-residential-buildings.pdf
- As tile hooks go up, are they pre-drilling the holes for screws
- Are the tiles sitting flat/flush after hooks are fitted (see MCS standard, specifically read section 5.8)
- Do the rails look straight & parallel
- As panels are being fitted do they look level with each other and aligned/straight
- If you have access to your loft, check the roof to see if the screws have missed or damaged rafters, or if the roof membrane has been damaged
- If it's raining check the roof for leaks or if it's not raining check on the first day it does
5. If the system is ground mounted
- Confirm if planning permission is needed
- Are the panel rows spaced to avoid any shading
- Are all the panels on each string on the same aspect, orientation and pitch
- Are the cable runs from the panels buried and/or protected from damage
6. Are the wires for the panels loose or cable tied in place to avoid rubbing/wear
7. As the bird proofing is going up are they using proper attachments (✅) or screws (❌)
8. Is the inverter mounted on heatproof material
9. If an EPS or UPS is being installed ensure it has its own earth and that a qualified electrician is available to sign it off
10. Is the electrical cabling tidy and (ideally) in conduit and if it's outside underground
11. Are warning labels in place
12. Are your batteries in an area that will get hot in summer or cold in winter (ie loft or garage) - consider insulation and heating for winter and cooling in summer
13. Have the batteries and inverter been installed with sufficient clearance between each other and with sufficient air circulation space (see installation docs for minimum clearances)
14. Are your batteries in a rack or separated using stackable brackets ✅ or are they just sat on top of each other ❌
15. Has the solar/battery circuit been installed on its own RCD in your fuse box ✅ or does it share the with the RCD on other circuits ❌
16. Has the installer left the area tidy and cleaned up any packing material or scraps from install
17. Have any gaps in your building fabric (ie where wiring has been brought from outside to inside) been sealed/left good
18. Ask the installer to clear any inverter errors that may have been logged during the install so that your system is starting with a clean error log
19. Ask the installer to set preferred charge/discharge times for your batteries (ie to charge during the overnight off-peak window)
20. If your system includes batteries indoors, then consider installing heat/smoke alarms where they are installed
21. Make sure your installer gives you a map of which panels are on which string. This is particularly important if you have microinverters or optimisers as the monitoring needs to know which panel is which
22. Once the system is up and running take a photo of your smart meters export reading as soon as possible. It means that when you apply for an export tariff you'll get paid for everything from that point rather than having to wait to be asked to take a photo which could happen weeks or months later
https://octopus.energy/blog/how-to-read-your-meter/
23. Has any of your equipment been installed outside? If so you might want to consider building and enclosure around them - even if they are IP Rated.
24. You'll likely receive an invoice for final payment on the day of install. Keep in mind that making that final payment should only be done once all of the handover documents are complete & ready to be handed over (see list below) and the system has been proven to operate to your satisfaction.
There are also some tests that they should do after install, but it depends if the suns out and/or batteries are charged
1. Switch on the kettle and check your smart meter - if the sun's out or the batteries are charged there should be very little coming from the grid
2. Batteries may initially draw from grid during the day as they'll likely do a "balance" charge. This can be a bit scary as your daily consumption will go up. If it lasts more than 1 day get your installer back
3. If you have an EV try a car charge (even just a 10 minute charge) and stopping the charge. This will put some load on your circuits and when it stops hopefully no breaker trips. If the EV charger is solar enabled, make sure the charger uses solar & doesn't drain your batteries
4. If you’ve had an EPS or UPS installed, have the installer disable the grid and see if you can still run appliances
5. If there’s an app for tracking usage, make sure it shows the correct direction of energy flow. So when you charged your EV it should have shown some grid draw, when you boiled the kettle it showed draw from solar or batteries
6. If you have a smart meter, check that it is recording some export as just about any system will export something
7. When the suns out, check your app and see that the batteries are charging from any excess solar
8. Check that the batteries are charging during off-peak window (if that’s what is set)
Once your install is complete this is the information you want to get from your installer
1. DNO notification (if the total capacity of inverters is under 3.6kw) or Approval if greater than 3.6kw - and confirm kit list matches what’s installed
2. MCS or Flex-orb certificate - and confirm it matches what was installed
3. Electrical certificate (part P)
4. Schematic of your system
5. Component serial numbers
6. Warranty details/registration
7. HIES registration details
8. An operating manual for all components - specifically: how to switch on/off/reset the system; how to know when it’s working at full capacity (ie all panels/batteries are working); how to change settings (ie to force charge battery during off peak window)
9. User ids & passwords for devices, websites and apps - make sure to try them before they leave
10. Contact information for support issues
Finally once you have all that, make sure you register your kit with the manufacturer to ensure warranty is valid (and in some cases extended)
One final note
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