Maintenance contract for PV System

[Earthstore]

I have a commercial customer whose insurance company have insisted on an annual maintenance contract,
But they have not been specific in what they require, my question to the farmer was: do you have an annual maintenance contract for the rest of your electrics, including motors etc, well of course not.

I am aware that one or two of you are offering this as a service, but being a farmer, he wants to keep his costs down.
Has anyone else come across this yet, and will a visual inspection from a sparky suffice??
Your comments please?

 

[SolarCity]

Good question. I'd be interested to hear what others do for this also.

 

[Glen Powell]

Realistically the maintenance should be similar to a periodic test ??? Does this include cleaning the panels (costly).

Probably the usual tests, open circuit voltage, closed circuit voltage, ditto on current, irradiance test, efficiency calc, remove dust from heatsinks and air intakes, insulation tests, etc, etc.

 

[Earthstore]

But it appears strange as all other electrical equipment goes completely untested, so why just the PV system?
Maybe I need to talk to the insurance company direct?
Still at least he was happy producing 26KW today from his 34KW system,

 

[jupestar]

interesting, never heard for this before. we do a maintainence contract, which includes vandalism, theft, lightning, parts failure, lack of sunshine... just about everything (except the gov, randomly changing the fits). but only really cause the financing companies want to make sure they are getting the money back... we monitor it remotely and if production drops get our are butts out there and work out why.. but never heard of an insurer wanting it..

 

[finchy]

The insurance co might be more worried about the fixing to the building and risk of fire or damage I don't think they care much about ensuring performance. But to check the fixing is really a visual check not mechanical as the panels cover the mounting screws etc. I would get the farmer to speak to the broker for clarity, you could always speak to them. I'm assuming it's roof mounted not field ..?.(it be a laugh if it was !).

 

[Earthstore]

Roof mounted, 4 year old barn, that has also had to have all the timbers doubled up with C16 to conform to structural, It must now be the strongest roof in the UK.
And now this...

 

[rob11]

My insurers asked what maintenance and cleaning options where there for a field mounted array.They didn't like my reply of "farm hand and a long brush".... They then went on to ask what training the said farm hand would have.... I haven't answered yet.