PV systems need to be operated safely. Various laws and regulations govern this issue in Germany: DIN-VDE standards for the implementation of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), the accident prevention regulation of the DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance), the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) and the Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act (GewO). As such, commercial operators in particular have a broad range of responsibilities. The legislature is increasingly transferring tasks relating to monitoring obligations for technical systems to customers. This in turn means that they have greater liability risks. In the event of breaches of the relevant provisions, the responsible parties, the owner, the system operator or the designated EPC or O&M company could face penalties and find that they have insufficient insurance coverage in the event of a claim. This also includes cases where unqualified staff have been appointed, regardless of whether unknowingly or with intent.

Raising Power guarantees qualified service staff

Let’s imagine that a serious accident has occurred: who is liable? Owners, operators and contracted companies often try to shift the blame onto one another. A more detailed investigation of the causes often reveals that unqualified staff were being used, which is usually a shock for customers. More than likely the proper checks were not carried out to ensure that the technicians had the required expertise and met basic requirements such as being registered in the Skilled Trades Register. As a partner for technical operations managers and EPC and O&M companies, Raising Power GmbH can provide you with peace of mind: the service provider for the technical operation management of PV systems has qualified service staff all over Germany. The Augsburg-based company appoints its own staff in south Germany and experienced and qualified external technicians in the rest of Germany. They meet all official, regulatory requirements and have proven their capability through the quality of their work with us. Raising Power itself is also DIN ISO 9001:2015 certified and, just as importantly, is registered in the Skilled Trades Register and the Register of Electricians.

This is a huge administrative task which takes up a great deal of time and costs a lot of money. However, the workflow and processes can be optimized, leading to a significant reduction in costs. The new Asset Coaster from Raising Power GmbH makes this possible.

Asset Coaster – the software for effective operation management

The Augsburg-based company provides solutions for technical operations managers and EPC companies on a national and international level. With a wealth of experience and expertise gained from a portfolio of more than 1,500 PV systems, Raising Power has developed a new solution which is unique within the industry. The software visualizes the entire process, is compatible with all popular monitoring and EPR systems and can be synchronized with them. “The challenge when developing a solution like this lies in the great diversity of the PV systems,” explained Michèle Rascher, Managing Director of Raising Power. “Every PV system is different in size, location and installed components and systems. With the Asset Coaster, we offer a holistic and flexible solution which can be expanded to meet new requirements.”

Quick workflow thanks to digitalization

The new software supports synchronization with the monitoring system of the relevant PV system and can be closely linked to the ERP system. This allows processes to run much more easily. If a fault occurs in the PV system, the monitoring system detects it and issues a ticket which is automatically taken over by the Asset Coaster. The operations managers benefit as they no longer need to use different systems such as a monitoring portal, an ERP system and Excel sheets. Instead, they can work through the individual steps in a standardized, much more efficient manner using the Asset Coaster. Because it is coupled to the portal, all system data, structural details and information regarding the serial number and user rights management are immediately available. A “fact file” contains all practical information. For example where service technicians can find the key for the PV system, which safety information needs to be observed and who the contact person is. And if there are recurrent or outstanding jobs such as cleaning or repairs, these are listed here too.

Electrical accident relating to vegetation maintenance

Even maintenance work which may at first seem insignificant from a technical perspective has its risks: let’s imagine that the owner of a free field system outsources the mowing work to a gardener. Whilst the work is being carried out, the recently repaired string cables get caught in the mower. Whilst trying to free the cables from the mower, the gardener suffers an electric shock. The result is an electrical accident which has consequences for the owner: in the event that the owner didn’t have the technical electrical expertise, he/she should have made sure that safe operations were ensured by staff with the right technical qualifications. The string cables were not buried. Furthermore, the owner is also in breach of his/her duty to communicate information: despite the hazardous situation, the gardener was not provided with any safety instructions and no warning regarding the poorly laid string cables was provided. The gardener was therefore not given the opportunity to carry out an additional risk assessment. In accordance with the Social Security Code (SGB VII § 209 section 1 point 1) the owner has committed a regulatory offense, and, in the event of intent, a criminal offense in accordance with § 26 of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV).

Raising Power can help you to always err on the side of caution

The system operators, operations managers, EPC companies and O&M companies that commission Raising Power to carry out technical operation management and individual maintenance and service tasks considerably minimize their risks. Without having to develop experts, provide ongoing training or invest in new equipment they can let Raising Power’s PV specialists or the qualified electricians it commissions take care of service work and upcoming inspections. This ensures, for example, that switching operations or selection of the correct working method are carried out in accordance with DIN VDE 105-100 and DGUV V3. In addition to the liability risk aspects, it also makes financial sense to have your PV systems regularly and professionally inspected, maintained and serviced. Every year that a system is not professionally maintained, costs keep mounting up. In addition to consequential damage, downtime-related yield losses are what really drive costs up. A maintenance contract with external specialists will provide protection from contingency risks and also pay for itself!

Regular inspection of electrical systems

The requirements regarding the operation of power plants are laid down by law in § 49 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and in the VDE regulations listed. DIN VDE 0105-100 sets out the required steps for periodic inspections and states that they can only be carried out by a qualified electrician. DIN VDE 0100-600 governs the initial inspection of electrical systems. DIN VDE 0126-23-1 sets out the minimum requirements in terms of system documentation, commissioning inspection and periodic inspections specifically for grid-coupled photovoltaic systems. § 5 of the accident prevention regulation DGUV regulation 3 (formerly known as BGV A3) requires electrical systems to be inspected whenever a system is initially commissioned or put back into operation following a modification, as well as at fixed intervals. In the case of systems under normal load, this is between one and four years, depending on the risk assessment.