DAY 17: PERFORMING PV SYSTEM TESTING - Full title: “An act to ordain and institute a

AND COMMISSIONING national building code of the Philippines”

b. Republic Act No. 7920 - mandates the use
UNIT 1: COMMISSIONING THE PV SYSTEM
of Philippine Electrical Code as basis for
LESSON 1: COMMISSIONING electrical works
c. ERC Resolution No. 115, Series of 2001 -
 Commissioning refers to the process in which a The Philippines distribution code
machine or system is put in operation. It d. ERC Resolution No. 9, Series of 2013
involves: - Rules enabling the net-metering program for
- Final checks renewable energy (so-called “Net- metering
- Verifying compliance with PEC Rules”)
requirements - Note: The Net-Metering Interconnection
- Testing the PV system Standard is included in this resolution
 Testing refers to the procedures performed on  Equipment Procurement and Installation
the components to diagnose errors in a. IEC 61215 (2005)
installation, as well as measure baseline - Crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules –
performance of the system. Testing is not Design qualification and type approval
limited to the commissioning process; it can be b. IEC 61646
conducted before installation and during - Thin-film terrestrial PV modules – Design
periodic maintenance. qualification and type approval
 Commissioning is conducted immediately after c. IEC 61730
installation and before the system is turned over - PV module safety qualification
to the owner/client. d. IEC 61701 (2011) 2nd Edition
- Salt mist corrosion testing of PV module
TOPIC 1: BASIC TASKS IN
- Note: This standard should be considered for
COMMISSIONING
a solar PV project located in a coastal area.
 These are the basic tasks involved in e. IEC 61683 (1999)
commissioning (Gleason, 2009): - PV system – Power conditioners –
1. Verifying that the installation is complete. Procedure for measuring efficiency
2. Verifying compliance with electrical code f. ERC Resolution No. 09, Series of 2013
requirements. - Rules enabling the net-metering programme
3. Conducting electrical verification tests: for renewable energy (so-called “Net-
- Continuity metering Rules”)
- Voltage-current g. ERC Resolution No. 115, Series of 2001
- Polarity - The Philippines distribution code
4. Verifying that the installation is aesthetically  Grid Connection
acceptable. a. Republic Act No. 9513 (2008)
5. Verifying that all components of the installation - Renewable Energy Act of 2008
are robust and permanent. - Full title: “An act promoting the
6. Completing system documentation. development, utilization, and
7. Verifying system performance. commercialization of renewable energy
8. Verifying proper system operation. resources and for other purposes”
b. Department Circular (DOE) No. 2009-07-
TOPIC 2: CODES AND STANDARDS FOR 0011
COMPLIANCE - Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)
Codes and standards for compliance of Small of Republic Act no. 9513
Solar Photovoltaic Project Development in the c. IERC Resolution No. 09, Series of 2013
Philippines (GIZ, 2014) - Rules enabling the net-metering programme
for renewable energy (so-called “Net-
 System Sizing and Design metering Rules”)
a. Republic Act No. 6541 (1972) - National d. ERC Resolution No. 115, Series of 2001
Building Code of the Philippines - The Philippines Distribution Code
  Further Requirements for Commissioning o Identifying and completing any
Grid-Tie PV Systems unresolved items
- LGU Certificate of Final Electrical o Completing site clean-up and restoring
Inspection site to original conditions
- Distribution Utility Connection Agreement  Installation Checklist
- Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from the - document used as a reference to ensure that all
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) PV system components have been installed
properly

LESSON 2: VERIFYING THE DESIGN AND

INSTALLATION TOPIC 2: LABELS AND MARKINGS
 Verifying the design and installation is a Labels and markings are required in all electrical
standard operating procedure prior to the systems, including PV systems.
commissioning of the PV system. In this lesson,
you will learn the tasks in performing the final  Standard Electrical Safety Labels
installation checkout -- including the a. Electrical Panel Labels
accomplishment of the installation data sheet. b. Voltage Rating Levels
This lesson also covers the labels and markings c. Electrical Hazard Labels
required for safety compliance. d. High Voltage Labels
e. Electrical Equipment Labels
TOPIC 1: FINAL INSTALLATION f. High Voltage Lockout Labels
CHECKOUT AND VISUAL INSPECTION  Required Markings for Photovoltaic Systems
(Philippine Electrical Code, 2017)
 Visual Inspection
a. 6.90.1.5 Ground-Fault Protection
a. Design Match – checking if the installation
- (c) Labels and Markings. Labels and
matches the electrical plan.
markings shall be applied near the ground-
b. Compliance to Safety and Electrical
fault indicator at a visible location stating
Codes
that if a ground fault is indicated, the
c. Errors in Installation
normally grounded conductors may be
d. Physical Damage
energized and ungrounded.
 Tasks in the Final Checkout include
b. 6.90.2.1 Maximum Voltage
(Seaward Electronic Ltd. 2021, n.d.):
(e) Bipolar Source and Output Circuits. For
o Verifying that all structural and
2-wire circuits connected to bipolar systems,
electrical components are properly
the maximum system voltage shall be the
installed and secured
highest voltage between the conductors of
o Verifying that all components are
the 2-wire circuit if all of the following
installed in a neat and workmanlike conditions apply:
manner, including wire management (1) One conductor of each circuit is solidly
practices grounded.
o Verifying proper connections and (2) Each circuit is connected to a separate
terminations, including terminal torque subarray.
specifications (3) The equipment is clearly marked with a label
o Verifying that all required system and as follows:
equipment labels, marking and placards
are correct and in the proper locations WARNING
o Verifying that any calibrations or BIPOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY.
adjustments for inverters, charge DISCONNECTION OF NEUTRAL OR GROUNDED
controllers or other equipment are CONDUCTORS’ MAY RESULT IN OVERVOLTAGE
properly set or programmed ON ARRAY OR INVERTER.
o Verifying that all disconnects are open,
fuses are removed and lockout/tagout c. 6.90.2.4 Stand-Alone Systems
procedures are in place
 - (c) Single 120-Volt Supply. The inverter RESPECT TO GROUND DUE TO LEAKAGE PATHS
output of a stand-alone solar photovoltaic AND/OR GROUND FAULTS.
system shall be permitted to supply 120
g. 6.90.6.1 Modules
volts to single-phase, 3-wire, 120/240-volt
- Modules shall be marked with identification
service equipment or distribution panels
of terminals or leads as to polarity,
where there are no 240-volt outlets and
maximum overcurrent device rating for
where there are no multiwire branch circuits.
module protection, and with the following
In all installations, the rating of the
ratings:
overcurrent device connected to the output
1. Open-circuit voltage
of the inverter shall be less than the rating of
2. Operating voltage
the neutral bus in the service equipment.
3. Maximum permissible system voltage
This equipment shall be marked with the
4. Operating current
following words or equivalent:
5. Short-circuit current, and
WARNING 6. Maximum power
h. 6.90.6.2 Alternating-Current Photovoltaic
SINGLE 120-VOLT SUPPLY. DO NOT CONNECT
Modules
MULTIWIRE BRANCH CIRCUITS
- Alternating - current modules shall be
d. 6.90.3.2 Additional Provisions marked with identification of terminals or
- (c) Requirements for Disconnecting Means. leads, and with identification of the
- (2) Marking. Each photovoltaic system following rating:
disconnecting means shall be permanently - (1) Nominal operating ac voltage
marked to identify it as a photovoltaic - (2) Nominal operating ac frequency
system disconnect. - (3) Maximum ac power
e. 6.90.3.5 Switch or Circuit Breaker. - (4) Maximum ac current, and
- Where all terminals of the disconnecting - (5) Maximum overcurrent device rating for
means may be energized in the open ac module protection.
position, a warning sign shall be mounted on i. 6.90.6.3 Direct-Current Photovoltaic Power
or adjacent to the disconnecting means. The Source
sign shall be clearly legible and shall read - A marking for the direct-current
substantially: photovoltaic power source indicating items
(1) through (4) shall be provided by the
WARNING installer at an accessible location at the
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD disconnecting means for this power source:
- (1) Operating current
DO NOT TOUCH TERMINALS TERMINALS ON - (2) Operating voltage
BOTH THE LINE AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE - (3) Maximum system voltage (4) Short-
ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION. circuit current
- FPN: Reflecting systems used for irradiance
f. 6.90.4.5 Ungrounded Photovoltaic Power
enhancement may result in increased levels
Systems
of output current and power.
- (f) The photovoltaic power source shall be
j. 6.90.6.4 Interactive System Point of
labeled with the following warning at each
Interconnection
junction box, combiner box, disconnect, and
- All interactive system(s) points of
device where the ungrounded circuits may
interconnection with other sources shall be
be exposed during service:
marked at an accessible location at the
WARNING disconnecting means as a power source with
the maximum ac output operating current
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD. THE DIRECT and the operating ac voltage.
CURRENT CIRCUIT CONDUCTORS OF THIS k. 6.90.6.5 Photovoltaic Power Systems
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEM ARE Employing Energy Storage
UNGROUNDED BUT MAY BE ENERGIZED WITH - Photovoltaic power systems employing
energy storage shall also be marked with the
 maximum operating voltage, including any properly so that the electrical current will flow
equalization voltage and the polarity of the in the right direction. Specifically, the current
grounded circuit conductor. that flows in negative and positive wires of DC
L. 6.90.6.6 Identification of Power Sources circuits.
- (a) Facilities with Stand-Alone Systems.  Having reverse polarity in a PV system can
Any structure or building with a cause component and/or circuit damage.
photovoltaic power system that is not  What do we test for polarity?
connected to a utility service source and is a o Battery to inverter conductor (off-grid,
stand-alone system shall have a permanent hybrid)
plaque or directory installed on the exterior o Solar panel to inverter conductor (grid-
of the building or structure tie, hybrid)
- at a readily visible location acceptable to the o Solar panel to charge controller
authority having jurisdiction. The plaque or conductor (off-grid)
directory shall indicate the location of o Battery to charge controller conductor
system disconnecting means and that the (off-grid)
structure contains a stand- alone electrical o DC loads (off-grid)
power system.
 DIGITAL MULTIMETER
- (b) Facilities with Utility Services and PV
 CLAMP METER
Systems. Buildings or structures with both
utility service and a photovoltaic system
shall have a permanent plaque or directory
providing the location of the service TOPIC 3: VOLTAGE AND CURRENT
disconnecting means and the photovoltaic TESTING
system disconnecting means, if not located
 Voltage and current testing are conducted
at the same location.
prior to commissioning to verify that
components are operating within the standard
operating range.
LESSON 3: COMMON TESTING METHODS FOR  Open-Circuit Voltage Testing
PV SYSTEMS - measures the voltage or potential of a
TOPIC 1: CONTINUITY AND component even when it is not connected to
RESISTANCE TESTING a complete electrical circuit. Open circuit
voltage (Voc) represents the full voltage
 Continuity and resistance testing is done to capacity of a source.
verify that the grounding and bonding of
electrical systems work. What components do we test?
 Bonding and grounding systems protect against - Solar panels
electrocution and ground faults that could be - Batteries
fatal to humans and animals.  PV Array Current Testing
 Low resistance means continuity of electrical - Current testing is done to verify that the
currents. amperage output of the PV array is within
 When wire insulations are damaged or exposed, the standard operating range given the
the current is diverted to the low resistance lighting conditions.
ground path which then triggers the fuse or
circuit breaker, avoiding the human body.
 DIGITAL MULTIMETER LESSON 4: COMMISSIONING THE PV SYSTEM
 ANALOG MULTIMETER
TOPIC 1: COMMISSIONING GRID-TIE
PV SYSTEMS
TOPIC 2: POLARITY TESTING Use:
 Polarity testing is done to ensure that the  Multimeter
conductors in an electrical circuit are connected  DC and AC Clamp meter
  Commissioning Checklist  Power Quality Analysis
- This test measures various parameters of a
TOPIC 2: COMMISSIONING OFF-GRID
PV system to diagnose issues with load or to
SYSTEMS
provide baseline measurements. Some of
Use: these parameters include:
o Voltage
 DC and AC Clamp Meter o Amperage
 Commissioning Checklist o Frequency
TOPIC 3: COMMISSIONING HYBRID PV o Fluctuations (sags and surges in voltage)
SYSTEMS o Harmonic currents
o Waveform
Use:
Power analyzers, digital multimeters, and oscilloscopes
 Multimeter are used to perform this analysis.
 DC and AC Clamp Meter
 Commissioning Checklist  Inverter Efficiency Tests
- Inverter efficiency tests measure the ratio of
direct current (DC) that an inverter can
convert into alternating current (AC). This
test involves measuring the DC power input
LESSON 5: POST-COMMISSIONING TESTS and AC power output at the inverter
terminals using a multimeter, voltmeter, or
 When commissioned or put into operation, it is
power analyzer.
expected that a PV system will experience
 Thermal Imaging
system losses in power and energy production.
- This measurement uses Infrared
These losses can be due to the following:
Thermography to diagnose problems with
o Varying weather conditions
PV arrays. Using thermal imaging cameras,
o Inverter efficiency this test can detect overheating and thermal
o Wiring gradients in PV panels.
o Module mismatch  Shading Analysis
o Soiling - This test measures the worst-case altitude
o Age of the system and azimuth angles from a point or angle in
 The PV system should be monitored for its the array. A scale image is drawn which
power output and energy production to maintain shows which portions of the array are
optimum operation. obstructed by shading. Nowadays, shading
analysis can be done using modern devices
TOPIC 1: VERIFYING POWER AND
and software programs.
ENERGY PRODUCTION

 AC Energy Production is measured over periods

of time - daily, monthly, total yield since UNIT 2: COMPLETING THE COMMISSIONING
operation. Energy production can depend on the OF THE PV SYSTEM
following:
LESSON 1: DOCUMENTING THE PV SYSTEM
- Array size;
- Solar energy resource; Upon commissioning, it is important to provide
- Array operating temperatures; the client with the documentation of the PV system.
- Inverter efficiency; This lets them know that the installation was performed
- Maximum power point tracking; correctly and provides them with the knowledge on basic
- System losses system components, information on design and
installation, and operation & maintenance requirements.
UNIT 1: COMPONENTS OF THE
TOPIC 2: OTHER TESTS
COMMISSIONING DOCUMENT
 General Information
- Name of the System Owner
- Contact phone number of owner
- Email address, if any.
- Site Address
- System capacity
- Date of commission
- Contractor/Installer
 Basis of Design
- Site Layout
- Electrical Plan
 Installation Data Sheet
 Installation Checkout
- Contains the important information about
- This part of the commissioning document
the major component of the system.
contains information about the condition and
performance of the major components and
the balance of system components during
the time that the PV system was put in
commission.
 Commissioning Test Reports and Verification
Data
- This part of the commissioning document
contains information on relevant electrical
parameters particular to PV system
components.
 Operation & Maintenance Requirements
- This part of the commissioning document
lets your client know what maintenance
activities they should perform or services
they need to hire to keep the system running
in good shape.
 Acceptance
- This part signifies that the system has been
commissioned, is in good condition, and has
been accepted by the client. Ideally, this is
signed by the two parties involved in the
installation: the contractor/foreman and the
client.

TOPIC 2: PREPARING THE

COMMISSIONING DOCUMENTS

 Documenting the System Inspection

(NABCEP, 2017)
1. Verify that the site layout includes the location of
major components.
2. Verify that the electrical plan includes information on
electrical components, wiring methods, and electrical
connection to the utility service.
3. Verify string sizing for compatibility with the inverter - Inverter Efficiency
or other power conditioning unit.
4. Include specification sheets for major components.
TOPIC 2: MAINTENANCE
 Quantify and Report Deviations of the
System from Design Documents and
Applicable Codes and Standards (NABCEP,
2017)
1. Report any deviation from the manufacturer's
specifications.
2. Report any code violations.
3. Report any deviation from submitted design
documentation.
4. Include photos, measurements, technical documents,
code references.

TOPIC 3: TROUBLESHOOTING
LESSON 2: MONITORING, OPERATION, AND
MAINTENANCE
TOPIC 1: MONITORING

 A well-maintained photovoltaic system will

produce electricity for about 25 years before it is
decommissioned. To be able to maintain a PV
system, it must be monitored regularly by the
end-user. One cannot simply expect a PV system
to be in tip-top shape all the time. There are two
types of monitoring.

 What to Monitor in PV Systems?

- Physical Condition of Mechanical and
Electrical Components
- Voltage
- Amperage
- Frequency
- Fluctuations (sags and surges in voltage)
- Harmonic currents
- Waveform