This article is the second instalment in a three-part series on the use of autonomous drone-based electroluminescence (EL) mapping across the solar PV project lifecycle. The first paper examined how rapid EL mapping can be employed after extreme weather events to assess storm damage and restore power plants quickly. This instalment focuses on a quieter but equally critical period in a project’s life — the transfer of liability and responsibility among the stakeholders. Establishing a comprehensive quality baseline at the Commercial Operation Date (COD) and before the Defect Liability Period (DLP) expires is essential for protecting investments, assigning liability, and enabling predictive maintenance. To support this position, the article reviews stakeholder roles, the milestones and standards governing commissioning, and the link between quality control and project bankability. It then presents case studies from field projects, examines how factory acceptance data can be connected to site inspections, and proposes sampling strategies for large scale plants.