A damage assessment is worthwhile when decisions are at stake: insurance settlement, warranty, dispute. The objective is a traceable factual basis – not an opinion.
ObjectiveTechnically assess the damage
FocusEvidence preservation & root causes
ForInsurers, operators, lawyers, installers
ResultDocumentation + action plan
Common Types of Damage
Fire / thermal eventsRoot cause assessment, documentation, differentiation of plausible hypotheses
Storm / hailExtent of damage, affected components, technical assessment
Installation / planning defectsAs-built vs. design deviation, defect pattern, technical consequences
Procedure (Evidence Preservation First)
- Preservation & documentation: Photos, components, cable routes, connection areas, as-found condition.
- Document review: Design, string plan, test protocols, component list.
- Technical assessment: Damage pattern, plausibility of causes, differentiation.
- Measurement / verification: Targeted where technically meaningful.
- Action plan: Safety → restoration → prevention.
Important: The earlier the evidence is preserved, the better. Repairs, dismantling and weathering make a sound assessment considerably more difficult.
What You Can Prepare
- Photos/videos taken immediately after the event
- Inverter logs, fault messages, availability data
- System documentation (plan, string plan, components)
- Commissioning / test protocols
- Event information (date, weather, reports if available)
FAQ
When is a PV damage assessment needed?
When insurance, warranty or a legal dispute is involved – i.e. when the damage needs to be technically documented in a traceable manner.
How important is evidence preservation?
Very important. Changes to the damage pattern reduce the evidential quality. Early documentation is always worthwhile.
Which documents are helpful?
Photos/logs/documentation (plan/string plan), component list, test protocols and event information.
Free Initial Assessment
Briefly describe the damage (what, when, system) – I will provide you with a clear assessment and the next steps.
Email: info@gutachterpv.org
Request now