Design Review and Approval of Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

The Florida Solar Energy Center has been accredited by both the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation and PowerMark Corporation to certify grid-tied photovoltaic systems. The certification process involves both the testing of photovoltaic modules for performance ratings and the review and approval of system designs to provide photovoltaic system design certification. This paper focuses on the design review and approval process, which consists of a documentation review and focuses on the completeness and accuracy of instructions, schematics, and accompanying materials. System designers have received substantive critiques and assistance through the third-party technical reviews used in this process. As a result, photovoltaic system manuals that accompany reviewed systems lead to a greater likelihood of code-compliant and high-performing installations.