Required information when carrying out a survey for a commercial PV system.

Buildings:

In most instances a commercial PV system will be mounted on the roof of the building. The following information should be supplied in order that the system can be designed to maximise the size and make installation as simple as possible. Sending over relevant photos can also be useful to clarify any obstructions and the type of roof.

In most cases a design can be produced using Google Earth however this is not 100% accurate and the final design would need to be checked that it fits before ordering.

Installation of the inverter should be as close as practical to the solar panels. However in a lot of instances this would be in the plant room next to incoming main electrical supply. Where larger distances are likely (over 30m) it might be necessary to enlarge the PV wire or to move the inverters closer to the array as there are fewer losses in transmitting AC power produced from the inverter than DC from the PV array.

Building with pitched roofs

Address:

Postcode:

Number of roofs on which PV to be installed:

Orientation of roof:

Pitch of roof:

Cladding type on the roof:

If steel profile centre of profile:

Dimensions of roof and height: (drawing if possible)

Any obstruction likely to cause shading: (e.g. chimney or trees)

N.B. It should also be noted that some roof sheeting manufacturers carry a warranty which could be void if holes are drilled into it. There are methods of fixing that can overcome this but at an additional cost, it needs to checked with the building owner at the outset.

Building with Flat roof

Address:

Postcode:

Number of roofs on which PV to be installed:

Orientation of building:

Dimensions of roof and height: (drawing if possible)

Any obstruction likely to cause shading: (e.g. chimney, air handling or trees)

Type of material covering the roof:

Warranty: (Again most new roofs carry a warranty and does not allow for piercing of skin)

Parapet dimensions including its height:

Roof structure: (in many cases it is important that the roof loading is checked by a structural engineer before installation to check its load bearing capacity as a lot of flat roof systems are counterbalanced rather than fixed)

Field mount system

Address:

Postcode:

Planning permission status:

Defined area of installation and dimensions:

Orientation of Land:

Pitch of land:

Soil type: (This affects the type of fixing – there are 3 types Concreted into the ground, large screws that are threaded into the ground with a machine and system bolted to a concrete base (not usual)).

Any obstruction likely to cause shading: (e.g. hedges, walls, buildings, or trees)

Distance to grid connection:

Inverters and grid connection:

In most cases multiple inverters would be specified.

These will come with G59 certification but where more than 5 inverters are to be installed there will need to onsite certification at an additional cost.

As mentions try to keep the inverters as close as possible.

A DNO connection certificate will need to be obtained before installation can take place – it is possible that the DNO will restrict the amount of power that can be generated due to line size, transformer size or existing renewables on the line.

Information that is useful to the design:

Single or 3 phase supply:

Incoming voltage:

Incoming main fuse size:

Any outstanding issues with the supply: (Low voltage, high voltage, power factor)

Any large loads: (machinery, heating, cooling, processes)

Again a picture is useful of incoming main supply