Problems with a new solar install

[marc8]

Hi Heliosfa

looks like you may want to think about downloading Guide to PV on the MCS website this is free & will take you through the whole system from there i would say you have everything you need.
including RCD protection for system ECT.

hope it helps, i down loaded & printed just the other day 121 pages but worth the read.

 

[heliosfa]

looks like you may want to think about downloading Guide to PV on the MCS website this is free & will take you through the whole system from there i would say you have everything you need.

Thanks Marc - the MCS installation guide was very useful in preparing the complaint that was submitted.

 

[heliosfa]

Just to give a quick update: I have just had a NAPIT inspection where an "Independent Assessor" chosen by the company also attended. I wont go into too much detail at the moment but both agree that there are some significant issues that need resolving and it has been suggested that the system is left isolated till then.

I will give more updates as I get them.

 

[Earthstore]

Thank you for the update, I would believe that some will be interested in how you get this resolved and it may well help others in the future too.

 

[MCS Renewables]

And well done to NAPIT as well for getting an assessor/engineer to site to conduct an installation inspection .

I for one have been very critical of the MCS registration bodies and REAL so it's good to hear that at least NAPIT responds to customer complaints.

 

[dansk]

I had my NAPIT CPS audit yesterday and he told me reliably NAPIT are clamping down internally and with regards to complaints etc, so it seems to be starting.

 

[heliosfa]

OK, So I have just had a call from an electrician from the Company who wants to attend next week to "handle" the electrical issues:

• He will change the DC Isolator as a courtesy, as apparently the AC isolator they use is rated for 1000V.
• He will uprate the 2.5mm AC cable drop to 4mm.

Apparently, he won't be securing the cables under the panels as this is not required by the MCS regs (and DC cables are not covered by the wiring regs - I think this assettion is wrong, can anyone confirm please?) and the cables are double insulated.

• No mention was made regarding the missing RCD.
• No mention was made re. DC cable entry.
• No mention was made regarding missing documentation.

NAPIT have not provided me with a copy of the report, so I have no idea what is in it but what this guy was saying does not correspond to the issues pointed out by the NAPIT inspector and the company's own "independant assesor" who attended the inspection.

 

[MCS Renewables]

I would refuse to let them on site until you get a copy of the report from NAPIT.

I thought Project Solar we're going to totally remove your system and get it reinstalled properly !

 

[heliosfa]

I have emailed NAPIT asking for a copy again, I will call on Monday though.

as for rectification - you are correct, that was what was talked about with them and what their "independent assessor" said would happen.

ill get onto NAPIT tomorrow and see what is what.

just back to the cables under panels, any comments on them being outside the scope of building/wiring regs? The reason for not clipping them up is (apparently) it is very very difficult to do when attaching the panels.

 

[heliosfa]

OK, I have just received a copy of the findings from the NAPIT report and they broadly corespond to the issues that we identified here and that were in my report.

The differences:

• Report has identified that the tails to the PV DB are undersized and should be 25mm like rest of installation,
• The cable entry on the botom of the solar DB has been made too large and exceedes IP2X,
• Potentially missing a rotary AC isolator that can be locked off with a standard padlock (Depending on DNO),
• AC Cable unclipped in places in the loft,
• DC cables unsupported below inverter,
• Missing load, fixing and structural calculations,
• Company making reference to SAP calculations and old SAP disclaimer than than the new system,
• Inverter position in loft is probably appropriate as loft should be cooler with PV fitted,
• After inspection, weather sealing of brackets does not appear to be an issue.

The dangling DC cables have been picked up in the findings, so obviously should be corrected.