Romania is undergoing an unprecedented expansion of photovoltaic systems, and the accelerated pace of installations exposes a dangerous gap: the absence of quality standards and effective technical inspections. Thousands of prosumers are discovering energy independence, yet on the ground, errors, improvisations, and superficial approaches are piling up, increasing the risk of fire. “A PV system needs to be checked like a car — regularly, by qualified professionals. We need something like a vehicle technical inspection (ITP) for panels and batteries,” warns Andrei Bucur, Deputy CEO of Nordestina, in an extensive interview for EnergynomicsTalks.
A market growing faster than its skills
Romania’s solar boom has brought thousands of new installers, but not a safety culture. “Everyone’s been talking about photovoltaics for the last three or four years, but only about 10% really know what they’re doing,” says Bucur. From makeshift installations to the absence of regular inspections, the problems are countless. “We are already seeing more and more fires in systems installed two or three years ago. There are cases where DC-side protections are missing, cables are not properly fixed, and metal structures are not designed for wind or thermal expansion.”
In many situations, checks are completely missing, while maintenance is mistaken for cleaning the panels — “unfortunately, many people think maintenance just means washing the panels so they produce more,” he adds.
Lack of standards – a safety breach
Installations are multiplying, but there is still no specific methodology defining mandatory checks. Current regulations make it too easy for companies to obtain authorization, some relying merely on the paper presence of an engineer. “It’s very easy to get certified for photovoltaic work: you hire an engineer for two hours per firm — someone who’s never even seen your systems — but whose name appears on the papers. And that’s it, you’re authorized.”
Such laxity has opened the market to inexperienced installers attracted by generous subsidies and booming demand. The result? An avalanche of cheap but fragile projects. “Where do the lower prices come from? Usually from cutting out the engineering and verification stages. They install quickly, but they install poorly.”
Maintenance – an obligation, not an option
The Nordestina representative, whose company is active in the industrial segment, advocates the introduction of mandatory maintenance for all photovoltaic systems, regardless of size. “A photovoltaic system is like a vehicle. However new it is, it must be serviced once a year. And just as we have an ITP, we should have a regular technical check carried out by an accredited company.”
Such a measure would filter out unprofessional operators and enforce a minimum level of maintenance discipline. It would also protect the beneficiaries’ investments: without documented maintenance, many commercial warranties become void. “Inverters need to be cleaned of dust, tightening points checked, connectors inspected. If you skip the annual service, you may lose your warranty without even realizing it.”
From subsidy to accountability
The AFM program has opened the market to tens of thousands of households, but without a quality filter for installation and operation. “If we’re spending public money for the green transition, we must do good, not harm. We can’t hand scissors to small children,” Bucur says, evoking the image of a young but risky market.
Without a control system equivalent to the vehicle ITP, the risk of accidents, losses, and public distrust increases with every new installation. The stakes are no longer only about saving energy — they’re about protecting lives and investments.