Solar PV systems are now common across residential blocks and mixed-use sites — often installed to support planning approval rather than long-term operation.
In practice, many systems are:
- poorly documented
- rarely inspected
- not properly tested at handover
- or, in some cases, not generating at all
A Solar PV inspection isn’t just about electrical compliance. It’s about fire risk, asset value, and making sure the system is actually doing what it’s supposed to do.
Why Solar PV Inspections Matter (Beyond Electrical Safety)
🔥 Fire risk & system condition
DC cabling, connectors and inverters operate continuously whenever daylight is present. Poor fixings, damaged insulation, damp connections or incorrect terminations can all increase fire risk — particularly in risers, plant rooms and roof voids.
⚡ Understanding what feeds what
Many property managers don’t have clear records showing:
- which distribution board the PV system feeds
- whether it supplies landlord areas or exports to the grid
- how it’s isolated in an emergency
An inspection confirms how the system is wired and how it integrates with the building’s electrical installation.
💷 Is the system actually generating (and being paid)?
We regularly find systems that:
- show no meaningful output
- aren’t monitored
- or have generation meters that no one checks
An inspection verifies whether the system is operational and whether generation is being recorded correctly.
A Common Scenario We See
Many blocks were fitted with Solar PV systems to satisfy planning conditions. In some cases:
- the system was never fully commissioned
- testing at sign-off was limited
- or responsibility for the system was never clearly handed over
Years later, no one is quite sure:
- if it’s safe
- if it works
- or if it’s worth keeping
That’s where a proper inspection comes in.
What We Check During a Solar PV Inspection
Based on a full Photovoltaic Electrical Installation Compliance Inspection, our checks include:
🔍 System design & installation
- Confirmation the system complies with current PV installation standards
- Verification that equipment is correctly rated for voltage, current and environment
- Assessment of mounting structures for security and durability
🔌 DC system checks (critical for fire risk)
- Condition and routing of DC cabling
- Mechanical protection where cables pass through walls, ceilings and roofs
- Correct specification and installation of connectors
- Insulation resistance testing to identify deterioration or moisture ingress
(Low insulation resistance is a common early warning sign we see.)
⚠️ Inverter & isolation
- Secure and non-combustible inverter mounting
- Correct DC and AC isolation
- Verification that isolators are accessible, labelled and functional
🔁 AC integration
- Confirmation of how the PV system feeds into the building’s electrical supply
- Correct positioning of the inverter on the “load side”
- Verification of protection devices and settings
🏷 Labelling & emergency information
- Dual supply warning labels
- Clear identification of isolators
- Single-line diagrams and shutdown procedures displayed on site
These are essential for emergency response and ongoing maintenance.
Performance & Output Checks
We don’t just look at whether the system is safe — we look at whether it’s doing its job:
- Functional inverter checks
- Review of generation meter readings
- Identification of obvious underperformance
- Confirmation the system is capable of generating as expected
If generation data exists, we help property managers understand what it means.
Maintenance, Cleaning & Ongoing Care
As part of our inspections, we often identify issues that affect performance rather than safety alone, including:
- debris, moss and mould on panels
- standing water on roofs
- damp connectors or poorly positioned joints
Where appropriate, we can also provide:
- professional panel cleaning
- remedial works
- and a planned maintenance schedule
This helps protect the asset and maintain output long-term.
What Property Managers Get Out of It
A Solar PV inspection provides:
- clarity on safety and fire risk
- a clear understanding of how the system is wired
- confirmation of whether it’s generating
- documented evidence for records and stakeholders
- and practical recommendations, not just test results
In short: no guesswork.
Need a Solar PV Inspection?
If you manage a property with an existing Solar PV installation — especially one installed several years ago — an inspection is often the simplest way to understand:
- whether it’s safe
- whether it works
- and whether it’s worth keeping
We’re happy to talk through your site and advise on next steps.
1 comment
This is an interesting article.