Solar Home Systems (SHS) - Quality Standards for Documentation

This overview on standards for documentation is an extract of the publication: GTZ, Division 44, Environmental Management, Water, Energy, Transport: Quality Standards for Solar Home Systems and Rural Health Power Supply. Photovoltaic Systems in Developing Countries, February 2000.

The system documentation shall include, in addition to the data sheets of all main components, a user’s manual and a technician’s manual with the following contents:

The User’s Manual should include:

• warranty conditions for all major components
• battery safety requirements
• battery maintenance requirements
• battery replacement requirements
• description of all user-interactive hardware
• requirements for proper system operation, including load limitations, critical loads, load conservation, weather dependence, shading problems, etc.

• system maintenance
• emergency shut-down procedures
• simplified operating instructions for the charge regulator
• functional block diagram

The Technician’s Manual should include:

• a copy of the user manual
• a list of all system components, data sheets, warranty conditions, etc.
• installation instructions
• acceptance test procedures verifying all electrical set points for PV generator, charge regulator, load operation, battery capacity, voltage drops, etc.
• the recommended maintenance schedule and maintenance instructions
• trouble-shooting guide, including all repairs and diagnostic procedures that can be performed by the supplier
• functional block diagram
• emergency shut-down procedures

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