Specifications

2008 Residential Appendices RA3-34
Appendix RA3 – Residential Field Verification and Diagnostic Test Protocols
RA3.6 Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing of Photovoltaic Systems
RA3.6.1 Purpose and Scope
The field verification and diagnostic testing procedures in this Appendix are intended to ensure that the:
• PV modules and inverters used in the expected performance calculations are actually installed at
the applicable site;
• PV modules are minimally shaded, or if shaded, that the actual shading does not exceed the
shading characteristics were included in the expected performance calculations; and
• Measured output power from the system matches that expected by the PV Calculator within the
specified margin at the prevailing conditions at the time of field verification and diagnostic testing.
This is required to comply with the NSHP Compliance Option as explained in the Residential ACM
Manual Appendix B. The actual protocol is included in Appendix 4 of the New Solar Homes Partnership
Guidebook (most current version, available at http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/documen
ts/index.html).