Installation day checklist

As the day of your install approaches and on the day of install - clarify these items:

1. Are they using scaffold or ladders (and what was on the quote)

2. Is the kit they’re about to install the same as was listed on the quote (and the DNO notification)

3. 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

4. As tile hooks go up, are they pre-drilling the holes for screws 

5. Again on tile hooks are the tiles sitting flat/flush after hooks are fitted (see MCS standard, specifically read section 5.8 https://mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MIS-3002_Solar-PV-Systems-V4.0.pdf)

6. Do the rails look straight & parallel 

7. As panels are being fitted do they look level with each other and aligned/straight

8. Are the wires for the panels loose or cable tied in place to avoid rubbing/wear

9. As the bird proofing is going up are they using proper attachments (✅) or screws (❌)

10. Is the inverter mounted on heatproof material

11. 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

12. Is the electrical cabling tidy and (ideally) in conduit

13. Are warning labels in place

14. 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

15. 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)

16. Are your batteries in a rack or separated using stackable brackets ✅ or are they just sat on top of each other ❌ 

17. If it's raining check the roof for leaks or if it's not raining check on the first day it does

18. Has the installer left the area tidy and cleaned up any packing material or scraps from install

19. Have any gaps in your building fabric (ie where wiring has been brought from outside to inside) been sealed/left good

20. 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

21. Ask the installer to set preferred charge/discharge times for your batteries (ie to charge during the overnight off-peak window)

22. If your system includes batteries, then consider installing heat/smoke alarms where they are installed 

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

If this blog has helped and you go on to installing a solar or battery solution, please let me know by leaving a comment and sharing this page as I really like to know I've been able to help. 

If you're considering a move to Octopus to charge your batteries in the darker months, please consider using my referral link below (click on the Octopus) as it will give each of us £50 off our Octopus bill.