Free inspection template
Solar O&M Annual Check — Free Template
Run this Solar O&M Annual Check from your phone — online or offline — and get a finished PDF report when you're done.
Overview
What is A Solar O&M Annual Check?
A Solar O&M Annual Check is a structured checklist that helps inspectors systematically verify compliance with the relevant standards or operational requirements. Completing the inspection on mobile produces a timestamped PDF that can be shared immediately with clients or management.
The checklist
Every checkpoint, in full
A read-only preview of the live template. Clone it to run the inspection on mobile, where each item records Pass, Fail or N·A with optional photos and notes.
System & Visit Information
8 checksNOTENote on Usage
This annual health check is based on NREL/DOE photovoltaic O&M best-practice guidance; safety-critical items (e.g., rapid shutdown per NEC 690.12) are referenced by requirement only. Completing it does not replace the manufacturer's required maintenance, electrical-code compliance, or required safety testing, and does not certify the system as safe or code-compliant. The servicing company and system owner remain responsible for safe, code-compliant operation and for correcting identified issues.
Service date
Technician name and certification
Name of the servicing technician; include license or NABCEP certification number if applicable.
Site address
System size (DC)
Nameplate DC capacity of the array.
Year installed
Inverter type
Expected annual production reference
Informational: modeled or prior-year annual production for comparison this visit. Leave blank if not available.
Battery storage present?
Gates the energy-storage section below.
Modules & Array
5 checksModules clean; soiling within acceptable range or cleaned this visit
Note heavy or uneven soiling (dust, pollen, bird droppings); uneven soiling can cause localized hot spots.
Cracked, discolored, or delaminated modules observed?
Look for cell cracks, browning/yellowing, bubbling, or delamination of the laminate or backsheet.
Photo of damaged module(s)
New shading since last visit (tree growth, construction)?
Compare to prior site conditions; note any new obstruction casting shade on the array.
Module clamps and mounting fasteners secure
Thermal Imaging
4 checksThermal (infrared) scan performed this visit?
Infrared imaging detects hot spots, inactive cells, bypass-diode failures, and loose connections.
Thermal hot spots or anomalies found?
A hot spot is a module or cell running notably hotter than its neighbors.
Maximum anomaly temperature rise above ambient
Action threshold: investigate any hot spot more than 20 °C above the surrounding module temperature. Confirm against the camera and module manufacturer guidance.
Photo of thermal anomaly
Racking & Structural
5 checksRacking intact; no significant corrosion
Fastener torque spot-check within specification
Re-torque to the manufacturer's specification; note any backed-out or missing hardware.
Roof penetrations and flashing sealed and watertight
Roof-mount systems: confirm sealant is intact and not degrading.
Ground-mount footings and posts stable (if applicable)
Conduit and cable management secured and supported
Confirm conduit straps, cable clips, and wire management are intact; no conductors resting on the roof or in standing water.
Electrical (DC & AC)
7 checksCombiner box(es) inspected; connections tight, no moisture intrusion
Open and inspect combiners; re-torque terminal connections to specification, report broken terminal blocks.
DC connectors (e.g., MC4) intact; no burning or meltingCritical
Conductor insulation sound; no cracking, chafing, or UV damageCritical
DC and AC disconnects operate freely (not jammed)
Grounding and bonding connections intactCritical
Signs of arcing, scorching, or overheating found?Critical
Look for discoloration, soot, melted insulation, or a burnt odor at terminations, connectors, and enclosures.
Photo of arcing or scorching
Inverter
6 checksNo active fault or error codes on the inverter
Fault or error codes recorded (if any)
Capture any displayed or logged codes verbatim; leave blank if none.
Display and communications operational
Cooling fans, vents, and heat sinks clear of dust and debris
Clean vents and heat sinks per the manufacturer's warranty requirements.
Inverter firmware current (updated if required)
Inverter AC output verified
Record measured AC output at the time of the visit (informational; compare to expected for the conditions).
Production & Monitoring
4 checksUnderperforming or mismatched string(s) flagged?
Compare per-string current or zone-level production; flag any string reading low versus its peers.
Underperforming string detail
Identify the affected string(s) and the suspected cause (shading, soiling, connector, module).
Production vs. expected
Performance this period as a percentage of expected. Action threshold: investigate if below 90%.
Monitoring portal online and reporting correctly
Energy Storage
4 checksBattery state of health
From the battery management system if available. Action threshold: investigate if below 80% of rated capacity.
No active battery fault or alarm codes
Enclosure ventilation and clearances unobstructed
Confirm airflow and required clearances; keep open flames and ignition sources away from the battery.
Battery terminals clean and tight; no corrosion
Safety & Labeling
2 checksRapid shutdown function operates correctlyCritical
Verify the rapid-shutdown initiator de-energizes the array as required (NEC 690.12).
Required labels, placards, and signage present and legible
Confirm rapid-shutdown, disconnect, and warning labels are intact and readable.
Recommendations & Sign-off
3 checksWork performed and recommendations
Next service due
Technician signature
Yours to edit
Not quite how your site runs?
Clone it and the checklist becomes yours in seconds. Reword a checkpoint, drop in a whole new section, flag what's critical, and add photo or signature fields wherever proof matters. No code, no form-building.
Field procedure
How to run this inspection
Walk the site area by area. Mark each checkpoint Pass, Fail or N·A as you go, and add a photo on any Fail to document it for the report.
STEP 01
System & Visit Information
Check all items in the System & Visit Information area and record Pass, Fail or N·A for each.
STEP 02
Modules & Array
Check all items in the Modules & Array area and record Pass, Fail or N·A for each.
STEP 03
Thermal Imaging
Check all items in the Thermal Imaging area and record Pass, Fail or N·A for each.
STEP 04
Racking & Structural
Check all items in the Racking & Structural area and record Pass, Fail or N·A for each.
STEP 05
Electrical (DC & AC)
Check all items in the Electrical (DC & AC) area and record Pass, Fail or N·A for each.
STEP 06
Inverter
Check all items in the Inverter area and record Pass, Fail or N·A for each.
Run your first Solar O&M Annual Check today
Clone the template, inspect from your phone, and hand over a finished PDF report before you leave the floor.