Solar performance testing is crucial for verifying the efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) power systems. As solar installations become more prevalent, it’s essential to have testing plans in place to ensure systems are functioning optimally and meeting expected performance standards. This article explores the key components of a typical solar interconnection site, outlines an effective testing methodology, and discusses …

As the world of solar energy continues to grow, testing on the acceptance and maintenance sides will grow with it. In typical installations, we have been asked to test only the basic electrical apparatus. This typically consists of circuit breakers, transformers, instrument transformers, relays, cables, grounding, and functional testing. Inverters are often held for the manufacturer to set up and …

Solar generation relies on a discontinuous power source — the sun. Day and night cycles paired with environmental factors like precipitation and cloud cover influence its reliability, so power generation from this type of renewable source is cyclical rather than continuous.  This means your transformer will not run at 100% load for 24 hours. Depending on the time of year, …