When do you need an independent solar PV inspection?

An independent solar PV inspection can be relevant when the client needs a separate technical assessment of an installation. For solar PV companies and property owners, this may concern handover, a reported deviation or follow-up of completed work.

The key point is that “inspection” should be accompanied by a clear scope. Two quotations can use the same word while including very different checks.

At handover and ahead of follow-up

Ahead of handover, the client may want the installation, available documentation and agreed inspection points reviewed. Later, the need may instead be to investigate a specific problem or document the condition ahead of contractual follow-up.

Distinguish a technical condition inspection from a formal contractual inspection under a particular agreement. Confirm in the brief what role the project should fulfil. Do not assume that an ordinary inspection report automatically meets every contractual requirement.

What should the brief include?

Ask for a scope of work that answers the following:

• Which parts of the installation are included?
• Will mounting and available documentation be reviewed?
• Does it include thermography, visual inspection or electrical testing?
• Who carries out each task?
• What evidence is used in the assessment?
• How are deviations and limitations reported?
• Is reinspection after completed work included?

If electrical checks are needed, competence and responsibility for these tasks must be clear. The Swedish Electrical Safety Authority states that the owner should inspect the installation continuously and that more detailed checks should be carried out by an electrical installation company. See the authority's guidance.

Operational checks and inspections serve different purposes

A recurring operational check follows an installation's condition within an agreed approach. A broader inspection can cover additional installation and documentation questions. Thermography is one possible part of the inspection, not another word for the entire inspection.

Learn more about how thermography complements production data and then choose the scope according to your actual needs.

Documentation for warranty matters

For technical follow-up, we recommend giving each observation a clear location, image reference and description. Also state the evidence on which the assessment is based, such as an identified set of installation instructions.

A report can help the parties discuss what needs investigating or correcting. It does not, on its own, determine legal responsibility or the scope of a warranty. Check the deadlines and terms in the relevant agreement; the report does not replace that process.

From observation to verified action

Plan from the outset how follow-up will be documented. Keep the observation ID and add the action date and new evidence. This distinguishes “action reported by the contractor” from “action verified during reinspection”.

See UAS Inspect's solar PV inspections and example solar PV report. Contact us to define the scope.