What is solar PV acceptance?

The process of solar PV acceptance ensures that photovoltaic systems are safe for operation, can remain compliant with environmental and planning requirements, meet design and performance objectives, and that any tests meet contractual requirements.

What does acceptance mean for a solar system?

Acceptance is a critical part of the solar system development process for any PV system owner. Before the handover to commercial operations can begin, solar systems must pass a set of acceptance and performance tests conducted by the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor.

What should be done before energising a photovoltaic system?

Before the plant is energised, a series of functional tests and measurements should be undertaken as per the reference norm IEC 62446: Grid connected photovoltaic systems. Minimum requirements for system documentation, commissioning tests and inspection for all electrical commissioning.

How do we support solar PV?

Support for solar PV should assess and respond to the impacts of deployment on: grid systems balancing; grid connectivity; and financial incentives – ensuring that we address the challenges of deploying high volumes of solar PV. 7. This Roadmap sets out these principles – covering what has been done to date, and where further work is needed.

What are the stages of solar PV acceptance?

Solar PV acceptance requires more than a single step due to the complexity of the projects. In the European market, acceptance involves three key stages, provisional acceptance (PAC), intermediate acceptance (IAC) and final acceptance (FAC).

How to validate PV plant performance at provisional acceptance phase?

To validate the PV plant performance at Provisional Acceptance phase, the PR test is conducted over a limited period and compared to the guaranteed PR, set based on simulations. The usual duration of PR tests is 7 to 15 days, depending on the contract.