5 Years of Operational Experience in the German 1000-Roof-Programme: Results of Monitoring and Inspection

Within the framework of the German 1000-Roofs-PV-Programme, a total of 2011 grid connected PV systems with a total output of approximately 5.3 MWp were installed on the roofs of private houses. In addition to the recording and evaluation of the system data, another primary objective of the programme is the technical inspection of the PV systems and, in particular, the components used such as solar modules, cables, wires, diodes, fuses, terminals, overvoltage protection devices,DC isolating device and inverters. As some of the PV systems have now been in operation for as long as five years, it has been possible to gain valuable experience with regard to material time-to-failure, installation, environmental influences, maintenance, user behavior as well as on the stability and long term performance of the components used.