Install Audit

Here is a step by step guide on doing a typical Install audit.

Step 1 Claiming the audit

Step 2: Auditing 

Step 3: Reviewing photos

Step by step guide
Roof Work and Provisioning

1. Pull up the most recent set of approved plans or installation CD and verify it is for the correct customer.

2. On the home page scroll down to Installation under Assistant or accept it through the tools PA step. Accept the “Post install field audit” step. If the assistant has already been used (Ex. When we have a rough and electrical ticket. It will only work for one of them, and not both.) You will have to reject the step and then re-accept it. 

   1. SA Fields- Ticket status, Audit status, Field audit completed date and time, Field audit tech, Field audit result.

      1. For Passes it to get it out of the queue it should be Status = Complete, Audit status = Ready For Audit - 100% Complete, Field audit result = Pass

      2. For Fails to get it out of the queue should follow Status = Cannot Complete (with the correct reason updated), Audit status = Not Ready for audit, Field audit result = Fail - New Service Appt Needed or Fail or Fail - Eligible for Bonus Review

   2. Installation Object Fields- To verify if PA filled in the correct dates, Scroll down to “Solar Install” dropdown. Solar work date, Electrical work date, System provisioned, Partial work started - If the job is not complete, Photos uploaded date, Field Audit ready for inspection, Post-install audit passed, Post-install audit failed - If the job fails the audit, and Field audit notes.

3. Open service appointment summary through project assistant. Have the installed photos and planset side by side to easily compare the 2. You can access these through the PA step/

4. Pull up the account through the respective monitoring portal (Tesla, SolarEdge, Enphase). And make sure the system is reporting and the panels are producing. 

   1. Common errors- 

      1. ENPHASE: Panels have not produced, and are showing gray on Enlighten. This is typically due to the system not being left on long enough for panels to produce, and report back to Enlighten.

      2. ENPHASE: Blue M next to your production numbers. This means the wrong production measurement was chosen for the integrated production meter when provisioning. Go into Settings in the systems page, scroll down to Energy and Power Display, and choose Microinverter measurements in the dropdown.

      3. SOLAREDGE:  Nothing showing in the physical layout, means the site was never published.
         
         

      4. Consumption CTs

         1. We need consumption CTs on every Enphase job regardless if its a PPA or not

         2. For SolarEdge we only install CTs on exclusively PPA accounts 

         3. For Tesla is a case by case project. We should make sure that if its called out on the bom then they need to install it.
            
            

      5. ENPHASE: Meter Issue. This typically means that the production CT is wired backward, or that the crew ran the red wire through the CT instead of the black wire.
         
         
         

Audits - LightReach standards apply to all jobs (with few minor exceptions with installing CT and causing major damage to the CX drywall and Cell Units)

5. Verify panel type, panel rating, and inverter type match the planset and financing tab. Verify that we have the JHA form filled out. This is used in the event of an OSHA ding, or crew injury, or when verification is needed that the crew is safely installing.
   
   

6. Verify racking hardware and racking layout. We should be cross-checking the racking type that is installed with what the planset calls out on page S-4. Certain projects also require the racking to be staggered. Make sure we can see this in the photos if it is required. Ask a senior agent or management with any questions on this.
   
   

7. Verify panel layout matches exactly as shown on the planset. If there was a change made check the CO log/Call log to see if the change was called in, and approved. If the layout matches the new signed layout in the CO then we are good to proceed. If it doesn’t match the new layout, or the change was not called in, the job will fail the audit and a write-up will be issued.
   **For write-ups- Email Garrett Scoffield, their regionals, their OM, their AOM (if they have one), Cameron Lawson, and Joe. Check the crew sheet for details on their leadership.

8. Need the Solar Module Label from the back of the panel and the side of the panel
   
   

9. Need clear readable photos of all tilt meters.
   
   

10. Micro-inverter/Optimizer/MCI label from side (this is the most important one) and back, must be clear and legible with no obstructions covering the serial number.
    
    

11. Verify the crew uploaded the sticker map. This is needed for our lenders and in the event we have to reassign microinverters to the panels.
    
    

12. Next, we will want to verify our EZSolar junction boxes have been installed correctly. The shingle above should be notched allowing the flashing of the junction box to sit even with the shingle below.

    1. If we are running conduit to the EZSolar box we require a ground bushing at every puncture by that EMT or FMC if going into the attic.

    2. Romex should have a minimum of 1/4in sheathing left above the connector clamp. It cannot be stripped back into the attic.

    3. LightReach requires photos that show the sola-decks opened and closed with bare copper running to the rail all in one photo.
       
       

13. Verify panel grounding photos. We need photos of each ground landed on the rails or panels and Dyno clips for multi-row arrays.
    
    
    

Attic Run, Soffit Jbox, and Home Run Conduit

1. Verify that Romex is stapled within 12in of entering the attic, every 4.5ft for the length of the attic (Typically every other stud bay), and within 12in of exiting the attic. For entering and exiting we have a bit of wiggle room. If the closest spot is not within 12in we can leave it as is, as long as it is the closest possible location.
   
   

2. Verify that the ground has been wrapped clockwise (This is a code requirement, but most areas do not enforce it. VA is the only area where we see this code get sighted) around the green ground screw in our soffit junction box, and that the photos clearly show it landed.

   1. We should confirm that the crew is not running romex through the home run conduit. You will be able to tell as the ground will be a bare #10 Cu wire, and you may be able to see the orange sheathing in some cases. Romex CANNOT be run in exterior or wet locations, and cannot be stripped back and run as single circuits.

   2. LightReach requires photos that show the junction opened and closed
      
      

3. Conduit should be neatly run, and anchored to the wall within 3ft of leaving the bellbox/soffit junction box. Conduit cannot span more than 10ft in between supports and is required to be anchored within 3ft of any juncture on either side. This would include leaving/entering a box, compression connectors, LBs, and so on. Photos should be clear enough to see each conduit hanger/conduit strap.

Electrical Work

1. ENPHASE: Combiner Box: Verify that all breaker ratings, breaker brands, and wiring match.

• Verify that all Black or line 1 wires are going up through the CT before entering the breakers.

• Every conduit connection into the combiner box needs to be at or below the lugs of the bus (Picture a horizontal line at the bottom of the bus and out to either side of the box), every conduit connection is required to have a ground bushing installed with ground wire landed, all line 1 wires (this will be the black wire) are required to be ran up through the production CT before entering the breaker, verify that all wires are properly landed, and all breakers are properly sized. This should match exactly as shown on the 1 line. (Only the monitoring breaker is rated to be anything but an Eaton BR type breaker. The combiner is rated to accept GE, Siemens, or Eaton BR in place of the monitoring breaker.) Reference the combiner install manual pictured in the provisioning section for proper wiring.

• Need to verify the CT ring wiring in the top right of the combiner

• Need Cell Kit installed on LightReach accounts 

2. For SolarEdge we need to see the top and the bottom open to ensure its properly wired up. 

• For PPAs we need to see the cell chip and we need to be able to read IMEI cell chip number. 

• Conduits punching in the bottom side of the inverter they need proper bushing and lock rings.

• We have to make sure that the AC & DC wiring aren't crossing, DC wiring should only be on the left side and AC wiring should be on the right.
  
  

2. AC Disconnect: Verify we have all necessary bushings, fuses if using a fused disconnect, wiring method (neutral and ground bonded or unbonded, neutral floating or landed, etc.) and properly sized disconnect 30A/60A/100A with the label being visible and not covered by a sticker.

   1. If the electrician used the concentric knockout on either side of the box it requires a bond bushing be installed. This is always a requirement when using the knockouts, regardless of if there is one on the other side.

3. PV Meter: Verify that the wiring matches exactly to the 1 line, the neutral either floats or lands, neutral and ground are bonded or unbonded, and the neutral bonding strap has been removed if neutral is landed. There will be a tag landed in the middle or on the load side of the lugs if the meter is able to isolate the neutral. Refer to the photo below.

1. The same requirements when it comes to concentric knockouts as with the AC disconnect.

4. PV Interconnection method: Common interconnection methods will consist of Load side breakers, Line side taps, Interior taps with OCPD panel, Load side taps, and sub-panel insert.

   1. Load Side Breakers- We will want to check several things for this. We should be checking that the breaker brand matches the panel brand, the breaker rating matches the 1 line, and that our breaker is located in the furthest slot from the main breaker. This means our breaker will always be in the last 2 spots of the bus every time.

   2. Line Side Tap/Supply Side Tap- We will want to check that our taps are installed on a straight piece of wire (They cannot be installed on a bend), as far away as possible from the main lugs, minimum of #6 copper wire is used, taps are correctly installed on the line side and not load side of the main breaker, and ground bushing is installed on the tap side of the wire run from the disconnect. For line side taps we are also required to have a minimum of a 60A disconnect.

   3. Interior Line Side Tap with OCPD- For this, the checks will be the same as a normal line side tap, but a couple of extra steps. After you have verified wire size, taps correctly installed, and the rest of the info. We will now need to check the breaker size in the OCPD, the OCPD is being installed correctly, and ensure OCPD has the necessary working clearances. The OCPD being installed correctly means that the breaker is installed right side up (The on position of the breaker will be up on the handle tie), the panel is installed flush mount, and it is not installed too high (height maximum for breakers will be 6ft 7in from floor to center of the breaker).

   4. Load Side Tap- A load-side tap will be installed downstream or on the load side of a main breaker. We can verify this by finding the service lines coming from the meter and following them to see on which side of the breaker they land. Our taps will land on the other side of where those wires go into the breaker. These wires are sized the same way our PV breakers are sized. So, there is no minimum wire size/or disconnect size like for line side taps. Verify wire size, tap location, disconnect rating, fuse size, and downstream main breaker.

   5. Subpanel Insert- We will need to verify everything that you would verify with a load side breaker, but the new subpanel feeder breaker will also need to be at the very end of the bus, all relocated loads need to be relabeled in the new panel, and their neutrals and grounds should be relocated with the black or black and red wires, if they are 2 pole breakers.

5. For Enphase systems: CT rings were installed with the arrows pointing toward the loads.

For SolarEdge systems: CTs must be pointed towards Utility meter.

6. Deadfront on and off

7. Clear photo of the MSP label showing the bus rating, it needs the rating on it, so it could be on the exterior label or on the interior wall labels.

8. Clear step-back photo of the Electrical wall.

9. All labels installed to plans

Miscellaneous photos that we need

1. Front of Home photos showing the address.

2. Safety photos ( Zone taped off, Harness photos, Harness anchor installed and sealed afterward, Ladder strapped etc..) 

Miscellaneous work and Home Damage

1. Ensure that all needed dates are marked and any needed rework is added to a new ticket. 

   1. The needed dates are Solar Work, Electrical Work, Provisioning, Ready for inspection, photos uploaded, and Post-install audit passed. Ensure you leave your notes in the Field Audit Notes section as well.

   2. If anything still needs to be done make sure it is added to a new ticket and pushed to scheduling.

   3. IMPORTANT- If we need a revision, but the installation is done then please make the ready for inspection date. The Inspection queues should keep it out of ready for inspection as long as we are waiting for that revision.

   4. On that same note, we are fine to push to inspection if all we are waiting on is provisioning. Ensure the return ticket has been made, but push it to inspection at the same time.

   5. If we get notes from a tech saying “The customer asked about this and that” or “Customer requested a call to talk about their loan” make sure we make an urgent project note and push it over to the Sales liaisons for them to contact the customer.

   6. Any time we have drywall damage, shingle damage, or any other damage caused by the installer/installers we need to open an SPS object to get it taken care of.

Pass/Fail

1. Once all components of the install/service have been checked and verified then through project assistant complete the step and mark the audit as passed and mark all applicable dates. 

2. If the Audit fails, then mark the service appt as cannot complete, not ready for audit and properly dispatch the cannot complete reason with why it fails (I.E. insufficient photos) 

   1. Send the Crew lead, Electrician, and OM a text of the fail reason.

      1. Depending on the fail we may be able to mark the appropriate dates to keep the account moving forward. 

      2. If the crew is able to fix the issue while on site then we can update it to “Pass corrected on site” and Pass their quality. And in the SA move the status to complete and remove the cannot completed reason.