Translations:Troubleshooting/1/en

Off-grid PV systems are complex systems with many different components that must function together perfectly in order for the system to be able to provide power to end-users. An issue in the system design, installation or component manufacturing will typically not become apparent until the system begins to malfunction. Often times with simple off-grid PV systems an error is readily identified, like a dead battery bank in a system that was installed 5 years beforehand. Other times it can be quite complicated to identify what is causing the problem because an issue may only occur intermittently under certain exact conditions that must be identified or a problem may manifest itself in one component - like the inverter shutting down - but actually be the result of a battery bank with a low voltage because the PV array is not functioning properly. It is important to understand all of the different components and consider how they interact as a system in order to properly perform a troubleshooting process. The complexity of an off-grid PV system and the fact that it is a system that involves electricity mean that any approach to identifying and solving a problem must be done systematically and with caution. A system that has an unidentified issue should be treated with extra precaution as the system has a failing component, installation error or a ground fault, which can create various unanticipated hazards.