Fluke Identifies and Addresses Top Three Critical Concerns in Solar PV Installations for Enhanced Performance and Safety
Key Insights
Fluke and industry expert Will White highlight ground faults as the primary concern in solar PV systems, often stemming from poor wire management.
PV module diagnostics, including IV curve tracing and thermal imaging, are crucial for identifying underperformance and ensuring system efficiency.
Inverter issues, the third major concern, are addressed through error code analysis, power quality testing, and robust network troubleshooting.
The discussion emphasizes the critical role of skilled technicians and specialized tools in maintaining solar PV system longevity, efficiency, and safety.
Toronto, Canada – August 1, 2025 – Fluke, a global leader in test and measurement technology, has partnered with Electrical Business Magazine to outline and address the three most significant challenges impacting the performance and longevity of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. In a recent discussion, Fluke senior applications specialist Will White provided comprehensive insights and diagnostic strategies for installers and maintenance technicians, emphasizing the critical role of precision tools and skilled personnel in maximizing solar PV system efficiency and ensuring operational safety.
White identified ground faults as the paramount concern across all solar PV systems, frequently resulting from inadequate wire management. He underscored that conductors rubbing against sharp metal edges can compromise insulation, leading to these faults. To mitigate this, White stressed the importance of meticulous wire routing, robust support, and careful conduit pulls during installation to prevent insulation damage. Commissioning processes must include thorough insulation resistance testing to verify wiring integrity before system energization. Fluke is poised to launch the GFL 1500, a new tool designed to automate testing and rapidly pinpoint faults within a solar string using voltage analysis and field tracing, potentially reducing the need to take entire strings offline for inverter re-energization.
The second area of significant concern involves the PV modules themselves. While modules undergo initial checks, their ongoing performance requires diligent monitoring. White highlighted IV curve tracing as an invaluable diagnostic tool, providing a detailed current-voltage relationship snapshot that reveals a module's true operational state. For large-scale installations, aerial thermography offers an efficient method for broad assessment, allowing technicians to follow up with targeted onsite testing using handheld thermal cameras, multimeters, and IV curve tracers to identify specific anomalies.
Rounding out the top three challenges are the inverters, which often signal issues through onboard error codes or underperformance alerts via monitoring platforms. These devices are rich data sources, and their error codes frequently guide technicians directly to the root cause of a problem. Similar to modules, insulation resistance, voltage, and current testing are fundamental diagnostic steps for inverters. For utility-scale operations, power quality testing becomes paramount, as grid conditions can significantly influence inverter performance. White noted that power quality analyzers frequently help demonstrate to utilities when grid-side issues are impacting system operation.
The discussion underscored the necessity of well-trained technicians equipped with the appropriate diagnostic tools to ensure both efficiency and, critically, safety. White concluded by reiterating Fluke’s commitment to technician safety, stating, “We always want to make sure our technicians go home to their families at the end of the day.” Fluke will showcase its latest solar industry testing technology at the Electricity Transformation Canada tradeshow from October 6-8, 2025, at the Enercare Centre in Toronto, reinforcing its role in advancing renewable energy reliability.