Rooftop Solar and Battery Installation Procedure

Purpose. This procedure covers the site survey, design check, safe roof access, installation, commissioning and documentation of grid-connected photovoltaic and battery systems.

1.Site survey and design

Before any system is quoted the accredited designer will complete a site survey recording roof type, pitch and condition, orientation, shading, switchboard capacity, the existing supply arrangement, network requirements and the customer's usage. The design will be checked against the relevant standards and the network's connection rules and recorded on the job before installation is scheduled.

2.Roof safety

Roof work must not start until edge protection, a rated anchor and harness system or a scaffold has been set up as determined by the job safety analysis. Work will not proceed on wet, frosted or windy roofs, in electrical storms or when the roof surface temperature makes the work unsafe. Ladders must be secured and extend above the roof edge.

• Edge protection or anchor and harness before stepping on the roof
• Fragile roof sheets identified and covered or avoided
• Tools tethered or kept in a tool bag
• Ground exclusion zone below the work area

3.Installing the array and cabling

Mount the racking to the manufacturer's engineering and the design, fit modules with the correct clamps, and route direct current cabling in conduit and enclosures as the standard requires. Label direct current isolators and cabling. Direct current strings must be treated as live whenever the modules are exposed to light.

4.Battery and inverter

Install the inverter and battery in the location determined by the design, respecting clearances, ventilation, fire separation and the restrictions on locations in habitable rooms and near exits. Follow the manufacturer's commissioning sequence for the battery.

5.Commissioning

Complete the electrical tests required for the alternating current installation and the direct current tests for the array, including open circuit voltage, short circuit current, insulation resistance and polarity of each string. Record all results on the test sheet, verify the inverter settings match the network requirements and demonstrate shutdown and isolation to the customer.

6.Documentation and handover

Enter results in the compliance register, complete the certificate of electrical safety, prepare the compliance documentation the rebate scheme requires, submit the network connection paperwork and give the customer the system manual, shutdown procedure and warranty information.