Testing of photovoltaic systems

Your operator obligations for photovoltaic systems

In accordance with the German Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV) and DGUV Regulation 3, you as the operator bear sole and unrestricted responsibility for the safe condition of your photovoltaic system. Unlike conventional electrical installations, voltage is constantly present on the DC side and cannot be switched off – aged connectors, damaged cable insulation and degraded modules are therefore among the most common causes of fire on commercial roofs. Without a seamless inspection history compiled by qualified personnel, you risk losing your insurance cover as well as facing personal liability for the company's management in the event of damage.

Scope of inspection from the modules to the grid connection point

We inspect your system in its entirety, not just in sections. This includes the visual inspection of modules, mounting structures, cabling and connectors, the measurement of open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and polarity for each individual string, insulation resistance measurement on the DC and AC sides, as well as testing the inverters, grid and system (G99/NA) protection and the grid connection point. In addition, we verify the continuity of all protective and equipotential bonding conductors as well as the condition of the lightning and surge protection systems.

Thermography and IV curve measurement under real operating conditions

We make faults visible during ongoing operation that a purely visual inspection would miss. Using thermography, we locate hotspots on modules, terminals and connectors before they can cause an arc flash or a fire. IV curve measurement reveals the actual performance of each string and detects module defects, shading issues and gradual degradation – so you not only find out whether your system is safe, but also whether it is delivering the yield you designed it for.

Inspection intervals according to DGUV Regulation 3 and your insurer's requirements

For fixed electrical installations, DGUV Regulation 3 specifies a guideline interval of four years. In practice, however, property insurers often demand significantly shorter intervals for photovoltaic systems and link insurance coverage directly to compliance. We determine your inspection interval based on a risk assessment, align it with the terms of your insurance policy and remind you in good time of any upcoming re-tests – ensuring there are no gaps in coverage or unnecessary testing costs.

Audit-proof documentation according to BS EN 62446-1

All recorded measurements are compiled in an audit-proof database and consolidated into a comprehensive test report in accordance with BS EN 62446-1. You receive legally compliance-ready documentation that is fully recognised by all employers' liability insurance associations of the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) and by insurers such as the VdS. For existing systems lacking complete documentation, we can also reconstruct the required records from scratch as part of the inspection.

Evaluation by certified independent experts

As BDSH e.V. certified experts, we evaluate your photovoltaic system to a professional standard that goes far beyond standard electrical services. We operate independently of manufacturers, carry out inspections nationwide across Germany, and ultimately deliver not just a collection of raw measurements, but a robust assessment of your system's condition along with concrete recommendations for action.