Grounding Pv Solar Panels

Proper grounding of a photovoltaic pv power system is critical to ensuring the safety of the public during the installation s decades long life.

Grounding pv solar panels.

Metal mounting structures other than building steel used for grounding purposes should be identified as equipment grounding conductors or have identified bonding jumpers or devices connected between the separate metal sections bonded to the grounding system. There are three main reasons for grounding in an off grid power system. You also have two thick copper wires negative and positive going from your inverter to your solar panel array outside that also has its own grounding system but is not bonded with the house grounding system. There are two types of ground.

Use a clamp to attach the copper wire to the grounding rod. This is providing a path to ground for metal parts module frame mounting system etc that could be inadvertently energized by a faulted conductor. Drive a grounding rod at least 8 feet deep into the earth near the system. Basically there are two types of grounding in a pv system equipment grounding and conductor grounding.

Of all the elements of a u s. Solar installation the grounding portion of the system may well be the most important. First it is required to ground all pv systems. If lightning were to strike the solar panels outside the electric current may go into the panel grounding system if you are lucky or it may travel along the positive and negative wires going back to the inverter inside your house.

Chassis or mechanical and electrical. Once there it could arc again to the house wiring. Leave around 6 above ground to properly attach your copper wire to the grounding rod. Pv mounting systems and devices.

Safety v oltage transients and t h e sheer fact that they are required for some loads. Devices and systems used for mounting pv modules that are also used to provide grounding of the module frames should be identified for the purpose of grounding solar panels. Second a properly grounded system will help protect you and your employees from unintentional shocks and possible deaths. Third it can help prevent fires in the system post installation avoiding potential lawsuits from angry homeowners.

But before we address each of these it s important to understand the actual definition of ground. For outdoor grounding you need to use thick bare copper wire that can handle large electrical currents like lightening. Although all components of a pv system may not be fully functional for this period of time the basic pv module can produce potentially dangerous currents and voltages for the life of the system.