Photo Documentation Standards¶
ACTIVE SOP
If it isn't photographed, it didn't happen. Photo documentation is the backbone of every Wadadli Solar inspection and service report.
Core Principle¶
Every photo must tell a clear story to someone who was not at the site. Assume the person reviewing your photos has never visited this property.
Required Photo Sequence¶
Every Visit — No Exceptions¶
| # | Subject | What to Capture |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Street view | Full building visible, address or landmark in frame |
| 2 | Utility meter | Meter number visible, reading if legible |
| 3 | Main electrical panel | Full panel, labeling, condition |
| 4 | Inverter(s) — wide | Location context, mounting, surrounding area |
| 5 | Inverter(s) — close | Display screen, indicator lights, model label |
| 6 | Array overview from ground | Best available angle, all strings if possible |
| 7 | Any pre-existing visible damage | Before touching anything |
- Before removing any cover or panel
- Any finding (damage, soiling, animal evidence, connection issue)
- Before and after any cleaning or repair
- Wiring or labeling that looks non-standard
- Any item you are unsure about
| # | Subject | What to Capture |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inverter display | Final screen state, production data if visible |
| 2 | Any repaired or cleaned areas | After completion |
| 3 | Work area general | Confirm site is restored to clean condition |
| 4 | Array overview | Final state |
Photo Quality Standards¶
Framing¶
- Subject should fill 50–70% of the frame
- Include context — a damaged connector means nothing without seeing what string it's on
- Use an item for scale when relevant (glove, pen, tool) next to small defects
Lighting¶
- Avoid shooting directly into the sun
- Use phone flashlight or external light for dark panel undersides, electrical boxes
- Thermal camera — see Thermal Imaging Workflow
Sharpness¶
- Tap to focus before shooting
- If the photo is blurry, take it again
- Do not delete any photos from the site — even imperfect ones can be useful
Timestamp¶
- Keep phone time accurate
- Do not edit photo metadata
- Timestamp visible in file EXIF data is your documentation
Naming Convention¶
When transferring to reports or shared storage:
Examples:
20260115_Eastchester_InverterDisplay_001.jpg
20260115_Eastchester_Panel14BirdDamage_001.jpg
20260115_Eastchester_Panel14BirdDamage_002.jpg
What to Photograph — Finding-Specific¶
| Finding Type | Required Photos |
|---|---|
| Cracked module | Wide shot (location in array), close-up (damage extent) |
| Soiling / bird droppings | Wide (affected area), close-up (severity) |
| Optimizer fault | Inverter display showing fault, optimizer location in array |
| Rodent damage | Wide (damage area), close (chew marks on wiring), any entry point |
| Connector issue | Both sides of connector, surrounding wiring, full string context |
| Inverter fault | Full display, fault code visible, event log if accessible |
| Corroded terminal | Close-up with good lighting, context shot |
Common Mistakes¶
Avoid These
- Shooting straight down at a panel — always get an angle that shows context
- Skipping arrivals because "nothing looks wrong" — you don't know that yet
- Blurry close-ups of faults — retake until sharp
- No scale reference on small defects — use a glove, pen, or coin
- Inverter display not readable — adjust angle, shield screen from glare, use flash
Photo Storage¶
- All field photos transfer to the shared job folder within 24 hours of site visit
- Never delete originals
- Organize by date/site before uploading