Commissioning
Whether a solar energy project is sized to produce kilowatts or megawatts, commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system demonstrates that the system is designed, installed, and working as promised. Commissioning, however, can save time and money; ensure system efficiency and safety; and increase end-user satisfaction, especially when introduced in the planning phases.
The basic tasks of commissioning are:
Verify that the design meets the owner’s project requirements
Verify that applicable equipment and systems are installed according to the contract documents, manufacturer’s recommendations, and industry-accepted minimum standards
Verify installing contractors perform adequate operations checkout
Verify/document the proper performance of equipment and systems
Verify that the operations and maintenance documentation left on-site is complete
Verify the owner’s operating personnel are adequately trained
