Solar Installation Checklist (QC and Commissioning)
A scored solar installation QC and commissioning checklist: system details, racking, attachments and flashing, modules and clamps, grounding, wire management, conduit and roof penetrations, inverter, optimizers or microinverters, a string-by-string Voc, Isc and polarity log, rapid shutdown, labels and placards, AC disconnect and interconnection, battery, monitoring, site cleanup, the customer walkthrough, corrective actions and sign-off. Every failed check becomes a finding with its location.
Job and System Details
What was installed, where, and who is checking it.
Checklist title
Customer
Site address
Your company
QC inspector
Crew lead
Date
Permit number
Building department or authority having jurisdiction
System size (DC)
Inverter output (AC)
Module make and model
Number of modules
Inverter type — String inverter, String inverter with optimizers, Microinverters, Hybrid inverter with battery, Other
Inverter make and model
Mounting — Pitched roof, Low-slope roof (ballasted or attached), Ground mount, Carport or canopy, Mixed
Roof covering — Asphalt shingle (3-tab), Architectural shingle, Concrete tile, Clay tile, Wood shake, Standing seam metal, Corrugated or exposed-fastener metal, Slate, Low-slope membrane (TPO, EPDM, PVC), Modified bitumen or built-up, Other, Not a roof mount
Battery installed with this system?
Was the system built to the approved plan set — layout, equipment and interconnection? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Each array plane, finished
Racking and Attachments
What holds the array to the building, and what keeps water out where it goes through.
Are attachments at or closer than the spacing on the plans? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is every attachment fastened into framing (or the blocking the plans call for), not just decking? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is every attachment flashed, with the flashing tucked under the course above as the manufacturer requires? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is sealant used only where the attachment system calls for it, and applied fully? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are attachment and rail fasteners torqued to spec and torque-marked? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are rails straight, spliced as the manufacturer allows, with end overhang within limits? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the roof covering around the array undamaged — no cracked tiles, scuffed or lifted shingles, dented metal? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are fire-access pathways and setbacks kept clear as the plans show? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Ground mount only: are piers or posts, bracing and fasteners complete and tight? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Attachments and flashing — close-ups
Racking notes
Modules
Every module undamaged, clamped where the manufacturer says, and bonded.
Are all modules free of cracked glass, chipped frames and scratched backsheets? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are clamps inside the manufacturer's clamping zones and fully seated? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Does the module layout match the plan (count, rows, orientation)? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are the module and rail bonding parts installed — bonding clamps, lugs or jumpers — with the equipment grounding conductor continuous? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are gaps between modules and rows even and as specified? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Module and serial-number labels (or the serial map)
Grounding and bonding points
Wire Management
Conductors under the array secured, protected and off the roof.
Are all conductors held clear of the roof surface along their whole length? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are conductors kept away from sharp edges and rail ends, with no tension or tight bends? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are conductors held with clips or ties rated for sunlight and the roof temperature? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are connectors fully mated, of a matching make and type, and kept off the roof? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are junction or transition boxes mounted, sealed and with their covers on? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are home runs labeled by string or circuit at the box? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Wire management under the array
Conduit and Penetrations
Every hole in the roof or wall sealed, every conduit supported.
Are roof penetrations for conduit or cable flashed and sealed? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are wall, attic and fire-rated penetrations sealed with the right material? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is conduit supported and strapped at the required intervals, and raised off the roof where it crosses it? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are fittings tight, with expansion fittings where long runs need them, and no crushed or cracked conduit? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Does the conduit run where the plans show and look tidy — level, plumb, painted if required? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Conduit route and penetrations
Inverter, Optimizers and Microinverters
The power electronics mounted, connected, set up for this utility and reporting.
Is the inverter mounted level and secure, with the clearances and ventilation the manufacturer requires? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are inverter terminations torqued, with no exposed conductor and every unused opening closed? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the inverter set to the grid profile and settings this utility requires? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is every optimizer or microinverter installed, connected and reporting? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the module-level layout map captured (serials placed on the map or scanned)? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the DC disconnect present, rated and operating? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the grounding electrode connection made as the plans show? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Inverter installed, with its label readable
Inverter notes, including firmware version
String Readings
Proof each string is wired right before the system is switched on.
Does this system have strings to measure?
Meter used (make, model, calibration date)
Irradiance at the time of testing
Module temperature
Sky — Clear, Thin cloud, Broken cloud, Overcast
String readings
String
Inverter input or MPPT
Modules in the string
Expected Voc
Measured Voc
Measured Isc
Polarity correct? — Pass, Fail, N/A
Readings within the expected range? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What was wrong, and what was done
Insulation resistance test done and passed, where your process calls for it? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Meter readings or test printout
Rapid Shutdown
The shutdown works, and a firefighter can find it.
Is the rapid shutdown initiator where the plans and the placard say, and easy to reach? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
With the initiator operated, did the array conductors drop to a safe voltage within the time the equipment is listed for? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Voltage measured after shutdown
Time to reach it
Did the system return to normal production after the initiator was reset? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Rapid shutdown initiator and its label
Labels and Placards
Every sign an inspector, utility worker or firefighter expects to see.
Is there a directory or map at the service equipment showing where every disconnect and power source is? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the rapid shutdown sign installed where it is required? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are DC conduits, raceways and enclosures labeled along their run as required? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are the AC disconnect and inverter labeled with their ratings? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the panel marked for the backfed breaker or the supply-side connection, as required? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are labels permanent, legible and of the material required — not handwritten? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Every label and placard
AC Disconnect and Interconnection
Where the system ties into the house, and the utility side.
Is the AC disconnect installed where the plans and utility require, rated correctly, and lockable? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the interconnection made the way the approved plans show (breaker, derate, tap or new panel)? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the backfed breaker sized and positioned as the plans show, and fastened in place? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are all conductors in the panel terminated, torqued and torque-marked? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the panel dead front back on, with every opening filled? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is any production meter or meter collar installed and sealed as the utility requires? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Panel with the PV breaker or tap, cover off and on
Utility meter and any production meter
Permission to operate — Not applied for yet, Applied — waiting, Utility inspection booked, Granted, Not required
Building inspection date, if booked
Battery Storage
The battery installed safely and backing up what the customer was promised.
Is the battery mounted where the plans show, with the clearances and protection from vehicles the manufacturer requires? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Did a backup test transfer the protected circuits and restore them cleanly? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the backed-up loads panel labeled and are the agreed circuits on it? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the battery commissioned and reporting in monitoring? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Battery, gateway and backup panel
Answer "Battery installed with this system?" in the first section. If there is no battery, nothing here applies.
Commissioning and Monitoring
Proof it produces, and that someone will know if it stops.
Is the system producing with no active faults? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Output at commissioning
Time of the reading
Is monitoring online with every inverter, optimizer or microinverter reporting? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the monitoring site set up under the customer's account and your company's fleet? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Are consumption or current sensors installed facing the right way and reading sensibly? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Monitoring screen and inverter display
Site Cleanup
The property left as the customer would want it.
Has all packaging, wire scrap and offcut been removed from the roof, gutters and yard? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Has the ground under the roof edges been swept with a magnet for screws and nails? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the attic left as found — insulation put back, no debris? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the property undamaged — gutters, siding, landscaping, driveway? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Site as left
Customer Walkthrough
The customer knows how the system works, how to shut it down, and what happens next.
Was the customer shown where the shutdown switch is and what it does? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Is the monitoring app working on the customer's own phone? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Were warranties, manuals and the as-built details handed over or sent? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Was the customer told whether they may switch the system on before permission to operate? — Pass, Fail, N/A
What failed, and where exactly?
Customer questions or concerns
Result and Sign-Off
Ready for inspection or not, what is left, and who agrees.
Overall result — Ready for inspection, Ready once the actions below are closed, Not ready — rework needed
Solar Installation Checklist (QC and Commissioning)
A scored solar installation QC and commissioning checklist: system details, racking, attachments and flashing, modules and clamps, grounding, wire management, conduit and roof penetrations, inverter, optimizers or microinverters, a string-by-string Voc, Isc and polarity log, rapid shutdown, labels and placards, AC disconnect and interconnection, battery, monitoring, site cleanup, the customer walkthrough, corrective actions and sign-off. Every failed check becomes a finding with its location.
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Fill this in and download the finished PDF. Your answers stay on this device as you type. We ask for an email address once, at the download.
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This checklist hands a new system to the customer. The scored preventive maintenance visit for a system that is already producing has its own form: Solar maintenance checklist
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A solar installation checklist is the installer's own quality check before anyone else looks at the job: before the building inspector climbs the ladder, before the utility grants permission to operate, and before the financier releases the next payment. It walks the system from the roof down — attachments and flashing, modules, wiring, conduit, the inverter, string readings, rapid shutdown, labels, the disconnect and the tie-in — and ends with monitoring, cleanup and the customer walkthrough. Each check is Pass, Fail or N/A; every Fail asks where, so the fix list writes itself. Fill it in here and download a PDF, or speak while you walk, and the document writes itself.
Why installers run their own QC first
A failed building inspection costs a truck roll, a reinspection fee and often a week in the inspector's calendar. A failed utility witness test or a missing photo in the funding package costs more. Almost every one of those failures is something the crew lead could have seen on the way down the ladder: a missing label, an unsealed penetration, a conductor resting on the shingles, a rapid shutdown switch nobody tested.
Running a scored checklist at the end of every job turns that knowledge into a habit. The score is useful across jobs — which crews and which items fail most — but on the day the list of Fails is what matters, because each one says what is wrong and exactly where.
String readings: write down what you expected
Open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are the quickest proof that every module in a string is connected the right way round and none is damaged. The reading only means something next to what you expected, which depends on module count, the module's rated values, cell temperature and sunlight at the time.
This form keeps one row per string with the expected and measured values side by side, a polarity check and a "within range" call. It does not calculate the expected value for you — type it from your design or your meter's software — and it records the irradiance and module temperature so the numbers can be compared later.
Severity: electrical items are safety items
Not every Fail is equal. A scuffed shingle is a repair; a conductor rubbing on a rail edge, a rapid shutdown that does not drop the array voltage, or a backfed breaker that is not secured is a safety matter. The checklist marks each electrical check as a safety finding when it fails, and roof and weatherproofing checks as repairs, so the summary sorts itself in the order the crew should fix things.
Code requirements for labels, rapid shutdown, conductor support and interconnection come from the edition of the National Electrical Code your jurisdiction has adopted, plus local amendments and utility rules. This form records what was checked; it does not restate the code, so check the current requirements before relying on any single item.
Handing over to the customer
The last section is the one customers remember. Show them where the shutdown switch is and what it does, get their monitoring app working on their phone, leave the warranties and manuals, and be clear about whether they may switch the system on yet. Many utilities do not allow it until permission to operate is granted, and a customer who turns it on early can create a problem for everyone.
Common questions
When should the installation checklist be completed?
At the end of the install, before you call for the building inspection, and again if anything is reworked. Some companies have the crew lead complete it and a separate QC inspector check a sample of jobs; the sign-off section has room for both.
Does this checklist replace the building or utility inspection?
No. Those inspections are done by the authority having jurisdiction and the utility. This form is the installer's own record that the work was checked first, which makes those inspections faster and gives you evidence if a question comes up later.
What if the system uses microinverters and has no strings?
Answer No to the string-readings question and that section folds away without affecting the score. The module-level electronics section still asks you to confirm every microinverter is reporting and mapped.
What photos should an installation QC package include?
At minimum: each array plane, attachment and flashing close-ups, grounding and bonding, wire management under the array, conduit penetrations, the inverter and its label, every disconnect, the interconnection point in the panel, all placards and labels, the meter, the monitoring screen and the cleaned-up site. Many financiers publish their own photo list; check it before the crew leaves.
How is the score calculated?
Each Pass scores one, each Fail scores zero, and N/A is left out entirely. The score is the share of applicable checks that passed. It is a quality measure across jobs, not a sign-off: one failed safety item still has to be fixed before the job is closed.