Solar PV Certificate Requirements
A solar handover should leave the owner with the electrical certificate, commissioning evidence, equipment information and network paperwork needed to operate and maintain the system.
Solar PV installations combine DC equipment, AC connection, generation controls and network interaction. The documentation package proves what was installed, how it was commissioned and who should be contacted before future alterations.
This is practical guidance for competent electricians. Assess the actual installation, follow the current edition of BS 7671 and manufacturer instructions, and stop where the work cannot be completed safely.
Key takeaways
- Agree the scope and make the installation safe before starting work.
- Use a controlled sequence rather than relying on a single reading or visual assumption.
- Record the actual result, limitation or action taken while it is still traceable.
- Check the result against the design, protective measures and equipment instructions.
- Issue the appropriate certificate or report when the work is complete.
Scope the work first
Solar PV installations combine DC equipment, AC connection, generation controls and network interaction. The documentation package proves what was installed, how it was commissioned and who should be contacted before future alterations.
Method
Prepare documentation throughout the project: design information, equipment details, electrical inspection and test results, commissioning settings, labels, isolator locations and client operating information. Match the package to the actual scope and scheme requirements.
Doing this on a job? Solar PV & Battery Commissioning Certificate — part of TradePlanr. Free to start, no card needed.
Checks and common pitfalls
Do not hand over only an inverter app login or generic manual. Missing circuit schedules, unclear isolation labels, unrecorded settings and absent network paperwork make maintenance and fault response more difficult and can create safety risk.
Record and hand over
Issue the relevant EIC and solar commissioning documentation, together with approvals or notifications and equipment warranties. Store a complete copy against the project in TradePlanr.
Keep the evidence with the job
Record readings, limitations and remedial actions as you work. A clear certificate or report protects the client and makes the next visit easier to manage.
From guidance to action
Frequently asked questions
Is one certificate enough for every solar installation?
No. The required records depend on the electrical work, equipment, network connection and any scheme or warranty conditions. Build the handover package around the actual installation.
Can I rely on a standard rule of thumb?
No. The installation method, supply characteristics, equipment instructions and the current requirements all affect the correct decision. Use the guide as a workflow, then assess the actual job.
What should be recorded?
Record the scope, results, limitations, observations, remedial work and the certificate or report appropriate to the work carried out.
Related guides
Solar PV Installation Explained
The electrical side of a domestic solar PV install — DC strings, inverters, isolation and DNO notification.
G98 vs G99: DNO Notifications for Solar and Batteries
How to identify the relevant DNO connection process for small-scale solar and battery work, and document the installation.
Renewables Commissioning Paperwork: What You Need
Every document a renewables install needs at commissioning — solar PV, battery, heat pump and EV charger — and who each record is for.
