[RE-wrenches] required inverter and system testing

[Greg Egan]

Esteemed Wrenches,

I'm in the process of bidding a small government job.  They're requiring 
the following tests.  I was wondering if any of you have ever run across 
this before and if so how you went about it.

/- Inspect   inverters   according   to   requirements   in   NETA 
Acceptance   Testing
Specifications.

- Test  the  PV  system  under  prime  solar  design  conditions  to  
validate  system
power  performance  rating.    Use  instruments  calibrated  within  
the  previous  six
months according to NIST standards.   /(not easy since the site they've 
chosen will shade some of the array all the time.  I should be able to 
just explain this to them)
/
- Simulate  malfunctions,  including  ground  faults,  to  verify  
protective  device
operation.   /(I would create a GF and then replace the fuse for this test)
/
- Test  anti-islanding  shutdown  function  due  to  normal  utility  
source  failure,
time delay and automatic restart after utility power restoration.  
/(this is an easy one)
/
- Test  and  record  the  total  harmonic  distortion  (THD)  content  
of  output
current at 25, 50, and 100 percent of system rating.  Comply with IEEE 519
at MDP point of connection.

- Test  and  record  the  real  power  output  for  each  inverter,  
and  total  power
delivered at the grid tie connection, for a 24 hour period.  The continuous
power   output   during   prime   solar   conditions   shall   meet   
or   exceed
performance requirement under part I of this specification.

- For  each  inverter,  record  DC  input  voltage  for  24  hours,  to  
demonstrate
affects of maximum power point tracking (MPPT), voltage regulation within
inverter  rated  limits,  and  affect  of  partial  shading  on  solar  
modules. 
Simulate  partial  shading  by  covering  50%  of  modules  during  
prime  solar
conditions.

- Record  of  Tests  and  Inspections:    Prepare  and  submit  
documentation  of  tests  and
inspections,  including  references  to  manufacturers'  written  
instructions  and  other  test
and inspection criteria.  Include results of tests, inspections, and 
retests.

/
Any advice would be gratefully accepted and appreciated!

Best,

Greg Egan

NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Remote Power Inc.
Fairbanks, AK

-- 
Greg Egan

Remote Power Inc.
981 Gold Mine Trail
Fairbanks, AK 99712
P. 907.457.4299

U.S.Distributor for Outback Power Systems and other premium power equipment.

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