2.2 PV Lab Tools and Equipment

Rather than presenting information on components of photovoltaic systems, this subsection provides information on the tools and equipment necessary to work with them in a PV laboratory (see table below). Included are site evaluation and survey equipment, electrical test equipment, meteorological and solar test instruments, personal protective equipment (PPE), electrician’s hand tools, and other equipment and hand tools. As with the PV system components, importance ratings have been assigned for the items listed based on information collected from other PV training facilities.

Note: Use of all equipment listed in this document should be consistent with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and NEC requirements, as well as with the installation and operation instructions provided by the product suppliers. In addition, system manuals should be requested for all packaged PV systems that are purchased as part of the laboratory development process. These manuals should include instructions, safety information, parts lists, electrical and mechanical drawings, manuals and specification sheets for all major components (modules, inverters, and racking systems), maintenance requirements, troubleshooting procedures, and warranty information.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTIMPORTANCE RATING
Site Evaluation and Survey EquipmentSolar shading calculatorEssential
Miscellaneous site assessment equipmentEssential
Electrical Test EquipmentGeneral purposeEssential
Specialty measurementsDesirable
Diagnostic instrumentsDesirable
Meteorological and Solar Test InstrumentsSolar powerEssential
Meteorological stationDesirable
Current voltage (I-V) testerDesirable
    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Head protectionEssential
Eye protectionEssential
Hearing protectionEssential
Hand protectionEssential
Electrical insulating glovesEssential
Foot protectionAdvanced
Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS)Essential
Arc flash protectionAdvanced
Lock out/tag out (LOTO)Essential
Emergency and first aidEssential
Fire protectionEssential
Battery safetyDesirable
Safety signs, labelerEssential
Electrician’s Hand ToolsElectrician’s tool kitEssential
Specialty toolsDesirable
Other EquipmentOther EquipmentLaddersEssential
Roofing toolsEssential
Battery test equipmentDesirable
Power ToolsBattery-operated toolsEssential
Donate to IREC

IREC builds the foundation for a 100% clean energy future.

Donate Now