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GRID-CONNECTED SOLAR PV SYSTEMSInstall and Supervise Guidelines for Accredited Installers

January 2013

(Effective 1 February 2013)

These guidelines have been developed by Clean Energy Council. They represent latest industry best practice for the design and installation

of grid-connected PV systems. © Copyright 2013

While all care has been taken to ensure these guidelines are free from omission and error, no responsibility can be taken for the use of this information in the

installation of any grid-connected power system.

GRID-CONNECTED SOLAR PV SYSTEMS

Install and Supervise Guidelines for Accredited Installers

Last update: January 2013 1 of 19

CONTENTS

1 GENERAL 2

2 DEFINITIONS 2

3 STANDARDSFORINSTALLATION 3

4 LICENSING 3

4.1 ExtraLowVoltage(ELV) 3

4.2 LowVoltage(LV) 3

5 DOCUMENTATION 4

6 RESPONSIBILITIESOFACCREDITEDPERSON 4

7 PVARRAYINSTALLATION 5

7.1 General 5

7.2 Roofmounting(notbuildingintegrated) 5

7.3 FreestandingPVarrays 6

7.4 Buildingintegrated(BIPV)installations 6

7.5 VerificationofAS1170.2 6

7.6 Attachingmodulestoarraymountingstructure 7

7.7 EarthingofarraywithaPVarray maximumvoltagegreaterthanELV 7

7.8 WiringatthePVarray 8

7.9 Stringprotection 8

7.10 PVarrayisolatoratarray 9

7.11 PVarraycablebetweenarrayandinverter 10

8 INVERTERINSTALLATION 11

8.2 PVarrayisolatornearinverter 11

8.3 ACisolatornearinverter 12

8.4 ACcableselection 12

8.5 Solarsupplymainswitchinswitchboard 12

8.6 Shutdownprocedure 12

9 METERING 13

10 SIGNAGE 13

11 COMMISSIONING 13

12 INSTALLATIONANDCOMMISSIONING 14

12.1 General 14

12.2 Insulationresistancemeasurement 14

12.3 Installationandcommissioningsample 15

ATTACHMENT1:Dangeroussituation 18

ATTACHMENT2:PVarrayroofmounting 18

ATTACHMENT3:HardwiringofPVarrays 19




Theobjectivesoftheseguidelinesareto:

→ improvethesafety,performanceandreliabilityofsolarphotovoltaicpower systemsinstalledinthefield

→ encourageindustryBestPracticeforalldesignandinstallationworkinvolving solarphotovoltaicpowersystems

→ provideanetworkofcompetentsolarphotovoltaicpowersystemsdesignersandinstallers

→ increasetheuptakeofsolarphotovoltaicpowersystems,bygivingcustomersincreased confidenceinthedesignandinstallationwork.

Theperformanceofareliableinstallationthatfulfilscustomerexpectationsrequiresbothcarefuldesignandcorrectinstallationpractice.Compliancewithrelevantstatehealthandsafetyregulationsisalsonecessary.

ThisdocumentusesthesameterminologyasoutlinedinAS/NZS5033.Twoimportantdefinitionsare:

2.1.1 Wheretheword“shall”isused,thisindicatesthatastatementismandatory

2.1.2 Wheretheword“should”isused,thisindicatesthatastatementisarecommendation

1 GENERAL

2 DEFINITIONS

NOTE:Theseguidelinesalonedonotconstituteafullydefinitivesetofrulesand aretobereadinconjunctionwithallrelevantAustralianstandards.Where theseguidelineshaveadditionalrequirementsabovethatstatedinthe Australianstandardsthentheseguidelinesshouldbefollowed.




Accreditedinstallersshallcomplywiththefollowingstandardswhereapplicable:

3.1.1 Thegrid-interactiveinvertershallbetestedinaccordancewiththeAS4777(parts2and3) andlistedontheCleanEnergyCouncil’sapprovedinverterlist.

3.1.2 Thesystemshallcomplywiththerelevantelectricalserviceandinstallationrulesforthe statewherethesystemisinstalled. (NOTE:thelocalelectricitydistributormayhaveadditionalrequirements.)

3.1.3 Theseguidelinessetadditionalrequirementstothestandards.Anaccreditedinstaller orsupervisorisexpectedtofollowtheseguidelinesinadditiontotherequirementswithin therelevantstandards.

3.1.4 Theseguidelineswillbecomemandatoryon1February2013

3 STANDARDSFORINSTALLATION

AS/NZS3000 WiringRules AS4777.1 Gridconnect-Installation

AS/NZS5033 InstallationofPhotovoltaic(PV)Arrays

AS/NZS1768 LightningProtection

AS/NZS4509.2 Stand-alonePowerSystems-Design

AS/NZS3008 Selectionofcables

AS1170.2 WindLoads

4.1 ExtraLowVoltage(ELV)

4.1.1 Allextralowvoltagewiringshouldbeperformedbya‘competent’person,whichis definedbytheAustralianStandardAS/NZS4509.1stand-alonepowersystemsas: “apersonwhohasacquiredthroughtraining,qualifications,experienceoracombination ofthese,knowledgeandskillenablingthatpersontocorrectlyperformthetaskrequired.”

4.2 LowVoltage(LV)

4.2.1 Alllowvoltagework:>120VDCor>50VACshallbeperformedbyalicensedelectrician.

4.2.2 Alicensedelectricianisrequiredtoberesponsibleforthesafetyofthesystemwiring priortoconnectionofthesystemtothegrid.

4.2.2.a IfthesystemcontainsELVwiringinstalledbyanon-licensedperson,then aminimumlevelofinspectionbytheelectricianpriortoclosingthePVarray isolatorswouldinclude:anopencircuitvoltagetestoneachPVstringand onthetotalarray.

4.2.2.b AvisualinspectionofanopenPVjunctionbox(randomlyselected)and themasterarrayjunctionbox.

Theseinspections/checksshallconfirm:

→ thearrayvoltagesareasdesignedandspecified

→theappropriatecables(CSAandinsulation),junctionfittingsand enclosureshavebeenused.

Boththenon-electricianELVinstaller,aswellasthelicensedelectrician, areexpectedtocarryoutthechecksontheELVwiring.

4 LICENSING




Allcomplexsystemsrequireausermanualforthecustomer.Grid-connectedPVsystemsarenodifferent.

ThedocumentationforsysteminstallationthatshallbeprovidedasspecifiedinAS/NZS5033is:

5.1.1 Alistofequipmentsupplied.

5.1.2 Alistofactionstobetakenintheeventofanearthfaultalarm.

5.1.3 Theshutdownandisolationprocedureforemergencyandmaintenance.

5.1.4 AbasicconnectiondiagramthatincludestheelectricalratingsofthePVarray,andtheratingsof

allovercurrentdevicesandswitchesasinstalled.

5.1.5 Systemperformanceestimate.

5.1.6 Recommendedmaintenanceforthesystem.

5.1.7 Maintenanceprocedureandtimetable.

5.1.8 Thecommissioningsheetandinstallationchecklist.

5.1.9 Arrayframeengineeringcertificateforwindandmechanicalloading.

5.1.10 Installer/designer’sdeclarationofcompliance.

5.1.11 Warrantyinformation.

5.1.12 Equipmentmanufacturer’sdocumentationandhandbooksforallequipmentsupplied.

6.1.1 Theinstallerorsupervisorshallnotsignoffonmorethanthree(3)systeminstallationsperday.

6.1.2 Asanaccreditedperson,whensigningoffonasystemyouhaveeither

6.1.2.a Undertakentheinstallationyourselfor

6.1.2.b Supervisedtheinstallationbyothers

6.1.3 Supervisionincludesvisitingthesiteat:

6.1.3.a Jobsetup

6.1.3.b Mid-installationcheck-up

6.1.3.c Testingandcommissioning.

6.1.4 Wheninstallingagridconnectbatterybackupsystemtheinstallationshallbeperformedby aperson(s)withCECgridconnectedinstallaccreditationandCECstand-aloneinstallaccreditation.

5 DOCUMENTATION

6 RESPONSIBILITIES OFACCREDITEDPERSON




7.1 GENERAL

7.1.1 PVarraysforinstallationondomesticdwellingsshallnothavePVarraymaximum voltagesgreaterthan600V.

7.1.2 Modulesthatareelectricallyinthesamestringshallbeallinthesameorientation.

7.1.3 Aminimumtiltof10°isrecommendedtotakeadvantageofself-cleaning duringrainevents.

7.2 ROOFMOUNTING(NOTBUILDINGINTEGRATED) 7.2.1 Allarraysupports,brackets,screwsandothermetalpartsshallbeofsuitable low-corrosionmaterialssuitableforthelifetimeanddutyofthesystem,thatdonot increasetheirratesofcorrosionwhenmountedtogetherinanarray,andwhenmounted onthesurfaceoftheunderlyingstructure.Thismayincludetechniquestominimise corrosionratesappropriatetothelocalenvironment,includingbutnotrestrictedto methodssuchas:non-reactiveseparatorsbetweenmetalsurfacesandunderscrew andboltheads;andselectionofmaterialswithappropriatetypeandthicknessof anti-corrosivecoating.

7.2.2 Refertothemanufacturer’sguidelinestoensurethatthematerialsintroducedare compatiblewiththeroofing.

7.2.3 Anyroofpenetrationsshallbesuitablysealedandwaterproofedfortheexpectedlife ofthesystem.(Refertoroofingmanufacturer’sguidelines.) Ifthisisnotpossiblethenthisshallbedetailedinthesystem’sMaintenanceTimetable.

7.2.4 Itisimportanttoallowsufficientclearancetofacilitateself-cleaningoftherooftoprevent thebuildupofleavesandotherdebris(Refertoroofingmanufacturersguidelines.)

7.2.5 Ifpossumsandotherfaunaareaprobleminthevicinityoftheinstallationthen considerationshouldbegiventohowtopreventthemgainingaccessunderthearray. 7.2.6 Wheretimberisuseditshallbesuitableforlong-termexternaluseandfixedsothat trappedmoisturecannotcausecorrosionoftheroofand/orrottingofthetimber. Theexpectedreplacementtimeshouldbestatedinthesystemdocumentation. 7.2.7 Ifthemodulesusecrystallinecellsthenitispreferabletoallowsufficientspacebelow thearray(>50mm)forventilationcooling.Thiswillbesubjecttotheconstraintsofthe customerorarchitect. Insufficientventilationwillresultinhighoperatingtemperaturesforthemodules.

7.2.8 Theinstallershallfollowthearrayframesupplier/manufacturer’srecommendationswhen mountingthearraytotheroofsupportstructuretoensurethatthearraystructurestill meetsAS1170.2certification.

7 PVARRAYINSTALLATION

NOTE:ATTACHMENT2providessomeguidanceforsecuringPVarrays onroofstructures.




7.3 FREESTANDINGPVARRAYS

7.3.1 ShallbewindratedinaccordancewithAS1170.2part2:WindLoads.

7.4 BUILDINGINTEGRATED(BIPV)INSTALLATIONS 7.4.1 Theinstallationofmodulesthatarebeingusedasbuildingmateriale.g.tiles,building walls,sun-screensshouldonlybeinstalledbyapersonqualifiedtoinstallthatparticular typeofbuildingelement.

7.5 VERIFICATIONOFAS1170.2 7.5.1 Installersshallobtainfromtheirframesupplieracopyoftheengineeringcertificatestating thatthearrayframeiscertifiedtoAS1170.2fortheirlocation. 7.5.2 Installersshallobtaininformationonhowtheframeistobemountedontheroof tomaintainthiscertification.

7.5.3 Thearrayframeshallbeinstalledtothemanufacturer’sinstructionstoensurethat thearraystructuremeetsAS1170.2certification.Theinstallershallconsiderthefollowing: 7.5.3.a spacingbetweenfixingforspecificwindloadregions 7.5.3.b areaofroofthatisapplicableforpanelstobeinstalled(somemanufacturers onlyallowtheframestobeinstalledinaspecificinternalzoneoftheroof) 7.5.3.c type,lengthandgaugeofscrewstobeused 7.5.3.d numberofscrewsrequiredperfixing 7.5.3.e sizeofbatten/purlinrequiredforfixing. 7.5.4 Theinstallationchecklistnowincludesaclausestatingthatthesystemhasbeeninstalled inaccordancewiththerecommendationsofthesupplier/manufacturer. Copiesofboththesedocumentsshallbeincludedinthemanualprovidedtothecustomer.


NOTE:Ifinstallersaremanufacturingtheirownframes,thentheyshallprovide thecertificatesandincludeinthemanual.




7.6 ATTACHINGMODULESTOARRAYMOUNTINGSTRUCTURE

7.6.1 Solarmodulesshouldbeattachedtothearraystructureeitherusingthemountingholes providedbythemanufacturerorviaclamps.

7.6.2 Whenusingclampssolarpanelmanufacturer’sinstallationinstructionsshallbefollowed.

Theinstallershallconsiderthefollowing:

7.6.2.a amountofoverhangallowedfromclamptoendofmodule

7.6.2.b sizeofclamprequired.

7.7 EARTHINGOFARRAYWITHAPVARRAYMAXIMUMVOLTAGEGREATERTHANELV

7.7.1 Allexposedmetalmoduleframesshallbeearthed.

7.7.2 Ifallarraycablingisnotprotectedinconduitorducting,thearraymountingframes shallalsobeearthed.

7.7.3 Minimumcablesizeof4mmshallbeusedandmaybelarger.SeeAS/NZS5033 clause4.4.2.1forrequirements.

7.7.4 Earthconnectionshallbe:

7.7.4.a byapurpose-madefittingprovidingearthingorbondingconnectionsfordissimilar metalsandfittedtothemanufacturer’sinstructions,or

7.7.4.b bypurpose-madewasherswithserrationsorteethfortheconnectionbetween thePVmoduleandmountingframefittedtothemanufacturer’sinstructions,and

7.7.4.c bearrangedsothattheremovalofasinglemoduleearthconnectionwillnotaffect thecontinuityoftheearthingorbondingconnectionstoanyothermodule.

7.7.5 Self-tappingscrewsshallnotbeused.

7.7.6 AsperAS/NZS3000theearthcablecanbeinsulatedunsheathedcableexceptwhen exposedtodirectsunlight.Ifexposedtodirectsunlightthecableshallhaveaphysical barriertopreventexposuretodirectsunlight.


NOTE:Attachingasolarmoduleinsuchamanner(e.g.drilling,popriveting) thatcausesaholeintheanodisedaluminiumframeofthesolarmodule typicallyvoidsthemanufacturer’sproductwarrantywithrespectto defectsinmaterialandworkmanship.Iftheinstallerintendstoundertake aninstallationinthismanner,theyshallobtainwrittenverificationfrom themanufacturerthatitdoesnotaffectthewarranty.Thisshallbe includedinthesystemdocumentationsuppliedtothecustomer.




7.8 WIRINGATTHEPVARRAY

7.8.1 TheelectricalinstallationofthearrayshallbeinaccordancewithAS/NZS5033.

7.8.2 AllLVwiringshallbeundertakenbyalicensedelectrician.

7.8.3 Plasticcabletiesarenottobeusedastheprimarymeansofsupport(unlesstheyhave alifetimegreaterthan15years).

7.8.4 ThePVarraywiringshallcomplywiththewiringrequirementsofAS/NZS3000.

7.8.5 Cablesshallbeprotectedfrommechanicaldamage.

7.8.6 Theinstallershallensurethatallconnectorsusedarewaterproofandconnectedsecurely toavoidthepossibilityofalooseconnection.

7.8.7 Onlyconnectorswhicharethesametype/modelfromthesamemanufacturerareallowed tobemarriedataconnectionpoint.

7.8.8 Cablesshallnotlayonroofsorfloorswithoutanenclosureorconduit.

7.8.9 CablesizetobedeterminedbyAS/NZS5033Clause4.3.6.1.

7.8.10 Itisrecommendedthatundermaximumloadconditionsthevoltagedropfromthemost remotemoduleinthearraytotheinputoftheinvertershouldnotexceed3%ofthe Vmpvoltage(atSTC)forLVPVarrays.

7.8.11 Inparticular,refertotheclauseinAS/NZS3000thatreferstofaunawhichstates:Where thepresenceoffaunaisexpectedtoconstituteahazard,eitherthewiringsystemshallbe selectedaccordingly,orspecialprotectivemeasuresshallbeadopted.

7.8.12 AllconduitsexposedtodirectsunlightshallbesuitablyUVrated.

7.9 STRINGPROTECTION

Faultsduetoshortcircuitsinmodules,junctionboxes,combinerboxes,modulewiringorearth faultsinarraywiringcanresultinovercurrentwithinaPVarray.

7.9.1 Overcurrentprotectionshallbeprovidedwhereitisrequiredbymanufacturers ofPVmodules.

7.9.2 AS/NZS5033Clause3.3.4definestheformulatocalculateifstringprotectionisrequired.

7.9.3 AS/NZS5033Clause3.3.5.1definestheratingofthefuseprotection.

7.9.4 InLVarrays,overcurrentprotectivedevices,whererequired,shallbeplacedinallcurrent carryingconductorsnotdirectlyconnectedtoearth.

7.9.5 InELVarraysovercurrentprotectivedeviceswhererequiredforstringandsub-arraycables shallbeplacedineitherthepositiveornegativeconductor(thenumberofcurrentcarrying conductorsminusone).





7.10 PVARRAYISOLATORATARRAY

ThePVarrayisolatoratarrayshouldmeetthebelowcriteria:

7.10.1 AS/NZS5033:2012Clause4.4.1.4makesitmandatoryforanisolatortobeinstalled adjacenttothearrayforLVsystems.Thisistoenablesafedisconnectionofthearray andisolationofthePVarraycable.

7.10.2 Isolatorshallbereadilyavailable(thisisdefinedas“Capableofbeingreachedfor inspection,maintenanceorrepairswithoutnecessitatingthedismantlingofstructural parts,cupboards,benchesorthelike.”)

7.10.3 BeratedforDCuse.

7.10.4 Ratedtointerruptfullloadandprospectivefaultcurrents(ratedoperationalcurrent suitableforatemperatureofambientplus40°Cifexposedtothesun).

7.10.5 Notbepolaritysensitive.

7.10.6 Interruptallliveconductorssimultaneously.

7.10.7 AllequipmentexposedtotheoutdoorenvironmentshallbeofanappropriateIPrating inaccordancewithAS60529,andshallbeUVresistant.

7.10.8 Shallnothaveexposedlivepartsinconnectedordisconnectedstate.

7.10.9 ShallcomplywiththerequirementsofIEC60947(series).

7.10.10 HaveautilizationcategoryatleastDC21B.

7.10.11 IsolatorvoltageratedasperAS/NZS5033:2012AppendixB:

7.10.11.afornon-functionallyearthedsystems,isolatedinverter(transformerbased): voltageratingofbothpolestogetheroftheswitch-disconnectorshallbeatleast thePVarraymaximumvoltage(VocArrayadjustforlowestambienttemperature ofsite)

7.10.11.bnon-isolatedinverter(transformerlessbased):voltageratingofeachpoleofthe isolator/switchdisconnectorshallbeatleastthePVarraymaximumvoltage. (VocArrayadjustforlowestambienttemperatureofsite)

7.10.12 Functionallyearthedarraypresentsspecificissues.Thevoltageratingofisolatorsforthese systemsaredetailedinAS/NZS5033:2012AppendixB.

7.10.13 Labelled“PVARRAYD.C.ISOLATOR”.

7.10.14 Manufacturer’sinstallationinstructionsforisolatorsshallbefollowedregardingmounting orientationtoensuretheIPratingismaintained.

7.10.15 Theroofmountedisolatorshouldbemountedsuchthattheswitchisinasidewaysposition (seeFigures1aand1b).

7.10.16 Theconduitentrypointsshouldbeonthelowerendoftheenclosure-eitherunderneath orfacingdowntheroof.

7.10.17 Itisrecommendedthatjunctionboxesaremountedsothattheaccesstothejunctionbox ismadeonthesideofthejunctionboxandnotonasidefacingup.

7.10.18 Allscrewcovercapsthataresuppliedwiththeisolatorboxorjunctionboxshallbeinstalled.

7.10.19 Allmountingholesshouldbesiliconefilled.

7.10.20 Ifthesolararrayistobehardwiredthentherecommendedprocedureisprovided inAttachment3.





Figure1aRooftopisolator Figure1bRooftopisolator


NOTE:Ensurethattheswitchdoesnotshadethearray.

7.11 PVARRAYCABLEBETWEENARRAYANDINVERTER

7.11.1 PVarraycableswithinbuildingsshallbeenclosedinheavy-dutyinsulating conduittoAS/NZS2053.1.

7.11.2 Doubleinsulationofeachconductorshallbemaintainedwithinwiringenclosures (e.g.conduit).

7.11.3 Thewiringenclosureshallbelabelled‘SOLAR’ontheexteriorsurfaceoftheenclosure ateachendoftheenclosureandateachchangeindirection.

NOTE:Adangeroussituationcanoccurwhenthepersoninstallingthesystemis abletocomeincontactwiththepositiveandnegativeoutputsofthesolar arrayorsub-arraywhentheoutputvoltageis120VDCorabove. SeeAttachment1formoredetails.




8.1.1 THEINVERTERSHALLBEINSTALLEDASTOTHEMANUFACTURER’SINSTRUCTIONS.

Theinstallershalldothefollowing:

8.1.1.a ensurethelocationisappropriatedfortheIPRatingoftheinverter.Wherethisisnot possiblethentheinverter/sshouldeitherbeinanappropriateweatherproofenclosure

8.1.1.b complywithspecificenvironmentalrequirementse.g.notindirectsunlight,directrain,etc

8.1.1.c ensuremountingstructureisabletosupportinverterweight

8.1.1.d ensuremountingstructurematerialisappropriatefortheinverter

8.1.1.e recommendedclearancesshallbefollowed.

8.1.2 Theinverterheatsinkshallbeclearofanyobstaclestofacilitatecoolingoftheinverter.

8.1.3 Cablesconnectedtotheinvertershallbemechanicallysecuredinsuchamannerthatthey cannotbeinadvertentlyunpluggedfromtheinverter.Thiscanbeachievedby:

8.1.3.a havingtheinverterhousedinanenclosure(withcablessuitablysupported)

8.1.3.b theuseofaninverterwhichhasthecableconnectionareaofinvertercoveredby aremovableenclosure/coverwhichprotectsthesupportedcablessothatthereare noexposed,unsupportedcableloops

8.1.3.c theuseofconduitandsecurewallfixings.

8.1.4 Theinstallershallensurethatthegridparametersoftheinverteraresettothe utilitiesrequirements.

8.2 PVARRAYISOLATORNEARINVERTER

8.2.1 WheretheinverterinLVsystemsisnotinsightofthearrayormorethan3mfromthearray,

PVarrayswitch-disconnector/sshallalsobeinstalledadjacenttotheinverter.

8.2.2 AllPVarrayswitch-disconnectorsshallbereadilyavailable(seesection7.10.2).

8.2.3 Forinverterswithanintegratedswitch-disconnector:aseparateswitch-disconnectoris notrequiredattheinverteriftheswitch-disconnectorismechanicallyinterlockedwitha replaceablemoduleofthePCEandallowsthemoduletoberemovedfromthesection containingtheswitch-disconnectorwithoutriskofelectricalhazards.

8.2.4 Wheremultipledisconnectiondevicesarerequiredtoisolatepowerconversionequipment theyshallbegroupedsothattheyalloperatesimultaneously,ortheyshallallbegroupedin acommonlocationandhavewarningsignsindicatingtheneedtoisolatemultiplesupplies toisolatetheequipment.

8.2.5 PVarrayisolatorsshallmeettherequirementsof7.10.3to7.10.16.

8 INVERTERINSTALLATION

NOTE:WheretheinverterrequiresDCconnectorstobeused,amaximum allowabledistanceofnomorethan200mmofunprotectedDCcableshall bepermittedbetweenconnectorsandconduitprovidedthelocationisnot subjecttomechanicaldamage.




8.3 ACISOLATORNEARINVERTER

8.3.1 Wheretheinverterisnotadjacenttotheswitchboardtowhichitisconnected,anisolator shallbeprovidedattheinvertersothatapersonoperatingtheswitchhasaclearviewof anypersonworkingontheinverter-refertoAS/NZS30007.3.4.

8.3.2 ConnectionofACandDCcomponentsinthesameenclosureshouldbesegregated (AS3000defineseffectivesegregationas“maybeachievedbytheuseofindependently sheathedcables,barriersoffire-resistingmaterialorbydistance”).

8.4 ACCABLESELECTION

8.4.1 ACcablesshallcomplywiththewiringrequirementsofAS/NZS3000.

8.4.2 Itisrecommendedthatthevoltagedropbetweentheinverterandthepointof connectionofsupplyshouldbekeptassmallaspossible(recommended<1%)tominimise voltagerisewithintheinstallation.Thiswilllimitinverterdisconnectioninareaswherethe gridvoltagemaybehigh,todecreaseincidentsofovervoltagetripsforinverters.

8.4.3 Theinvertershallbeconnectedbyfixedwiringtoadedicatedcircuitonaswitchboard.

8.4.4 ACcablesbetweentheinverterandanyswitchboardandallthecablesbetweenany distributionboardsandamainswitchboardwhichcarrycurrentfromtheinvertershall beratedforatleastthefulloutputcurrentoftheinverterenergysystem.

8.4.5 AllcablingshallbesizedinaccordancewithAS/NZS3000andAS/NZS3008.

8.5 SOLARSUPPLYMAINSWITCHINSWITCHBOARD

8.5.1 Theinvertershouldbeconnecteddirectlytothemainswitchboard.

8.5.2 Wherethisisnotpossibleornotdesirable,theinverterenergysystemshouldbe connectedtothedistributionboardlocatedphysicallynearesttotheinverter,andthe mainswitchboard.Allintermediatedistributionboardsshallbeappropriatelylabelled

8.5.3 Themainswitchfortheswitchboard,towhichtheinverterisconnected,shallbe alockableswitch.

8.5.4 AnRCDisnottobeplacedbetweentheconsumer’smainsandtheinverter.

8.5.5 InaccordancewithAS/NZS3000,thecablebetweentheswitchboardandinverterrequires protectionsoitisrecommendedthattheisolatorisasuitablyratedcircuitbreaker.

8.6 SHUTDOWNPROCEDURE

Ashutdownprocedureisrequiredtoensuresafede-energisationofthesystem.

8.6.1 Centralinvertersystems(shallbeinstalledadjacenttotheinverter)

Anexampleshutdownprocedurewouldbe:

→TurnoffthemainswitchsolarsupplyattheACswitchboardandthenthe

ACisolatorattheinverter(whereinstalled)then

→TurnoffthePVarrayisolatorattheinverter.

WARNING:PVarrayDCisolatorsdonotde-energisethePVarrayandarraycabling.

8.6.2 Microinvertersystems(shallbeinstalledattheswitchboardtowhichtheinverter

isconnected)

Anexampleshutdownprocedurewouldbe:

→TurnoffthemainswitchsolarsupplyattheACswitchboard

ThiswillisolatethePVarray.

8 INVERTERINSTALLATION




9.1.1 Theinstallershallnotifythecustomerofthemeteringprocesses.

10.1.1 Allsignageonswitches,isolatorsandwithindistributionboardsandswitchboardsshallbe inaccordancewithAS4777andAS/NZS5033and/or

10.1.2 therelevantelectricalserviceandinstallationrulesforthestatewherethesystemisinstalled.

11.1.1 Thecommissioningsheetsprovidedwiththeseguidelines(orsimilardocument)shallbecompleted bytheaccreditedinstallerortheaccreditedsupervisor(withsuitablylicensedperson).

11.1.2 Acopyshallbeprovidedtothecustomerinthesystemdocumentationandacopyretained bytheaccreditedperson.

9 METERING

10 SIGNAGE

11 COMMISSIONING




12.1 GENERAL

12.2 INSULATIONRESISTANCEMEASUREMENT

12 INSTALLATIONANDCOMMISSIONING

WARNING:Whereshortcircuitcurrentsarerequired,followAS/NZS5033 AppendixDforthestepsthatshallbeundertakentomeasurethe shortcircuitcurrentsafely.

WARNING:PVarraydccircuitsareliveduringdaylightand,unlikeaconventional accircuit,cannotbeisolatedbeforeperformingthistest. FollowAS/NZS5033AppendixD4forthestepsthatshallbe undertakentomeasuretheinsulationresistancesafely.

NOTE:Someprojectsrequirethatshortcircuitcurrentsarerecordedaspartof thecontractualcommissioning;otherwisearecordoftheactualoperating currentofeachstringissufficient.Thiscouldbedonebyusingthemeter ontheinverterorbyusingaclampmeterwhenthesystemisoperational.

Table12.2.1Minimuminsulationresistance

SYSTEM VOLTAGE(V X1.25)

TEST VOLTAGE MINIMUM INSULATION RESISTANCE, MΩ

<120 250 0.5

120-500 500 1

>500 1000 1





INSTALLATION DETAILSAddressofinstallation:

PVmodulemanufacturerandmodelnumber:

Numberofmodulesinseriesinastring:

NumberofstringsinparallelinPVarray:

Invertermanufacturerandmodelnumber:

Numberofinverters: NumberofMPPTs:

PV ARRAYPVarraytilt ..........……………………° PVarrayorientation ..........……………………°

ArrayframeiscertifiedtoAS1170.2forinstallationlocation

Arrayframeisinstalledtomanufacturer’sinstructions

Roofpenetrationsaresuitablysealedandweatherproofed

Nogalvanicallydissimilarmetalsareincontactwiththearrayframesorsupports

WherePVarraycomprisesmultiplestrings-stringprotectionhasbeenprovided

PVwiringlossesarelessthan3%atthemaximumcurrentoutputofthearray

WeatherproofPVarrayisolatormountedadjacenttothearray

(Rating:………………………………..Vdc,…………….Adc)

Wiringisprotectedfrommechanicaldamageandisappropriatelysupported

LV DC and AC INSTALLATIONAlllowvoltagewiringhasbeeninstalledbyalicensedelectricaltradesperson

Allwiringhasbeentestedandapprovedbyqualifiedelectricaltradesperson

INVERTERPVarrayisolatormountedadjacenttotheinverter

(Rating:………………………………..Vdc,…………….Adc)

Isolatorismountedonoutputoftheinverter(whererequired)

LockableACcircuitbreakermountedwithintheswitchboardtoactastheinvertermainswitchforthePV/invertersystem(Rating………..A)

Inverterisinstalledaspermanufacturer’sspecification

InverterceasessupplyingpowerwithintwosecondsofalossofACmains

Inverterdoesnotresumesupplyingpoweruntilmainshavebeenpresentformorethan60seconds.





CONTINUITY CHECKCircuitchecked(recordadescriptionofthecircuitcheckedinthiscolumn)

Continuityofallstring,sub-arrayandarraycables

Continuityofallearthconnections(includingmoduleframe)

SYSTEM CHECKWARNING:→ IFASTRINGISREVERSEDANDCONNECTEDTOOTHERS,FIREMAYRESULT.→ IFPOLARITYISREVERSEDATTHEINVERTERDAMAGEMAYOCCURTOTHEINVERTER.

Polarity Voltage ShortCircuit OperatingCurrent

String 1 V A A

String 2 V A A

String 3 V A A

String 4 V A A

Sub-arrays where required V A A

PV array at PV array switch-disconnector

V A A

Irradiance at time of recording the current

W/m2 W/m2

INSULATION RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS (see table 12.3.1 for minimum values of insulation resistance) Arraypositivetoearth MΩ

Arraynegativetoearth MΩ

INSTALLER INFORMATIONCECAccreditedinstaller’sname:

CECAccreditationnumber:

I verify that the above system has been installed to all relevant standards

Signed: Date:

CECAccreditedDesigner’sname:

Licensedelectrician’sname:(whereapplicable,e.g.LVwork)

Electrician’slicencenumber:

Signed: Date:




INSTALLER INFORMATIONOnswitchboardtowhichinverterisdirectlyconnected

ispermanentlyfixedatthemainswitch

ispermanentlyfixedatthesolarmainswitch

Ifthesolarsystemisconnectedtoadistributionboard,thenasignislocatedonthemainswitchboardandallintermediatedistributionboardsprovidinginformationonwhichdistributionboardthesolarsupplyisconnectedto

Informationshouldbeprovidedatthemainswitchboardonwheretheinverter(andthedistributionboardtowhichitisconnected,ifitisnotthemainswitchboard)islocated,unlessitisadjacenttothemainswitchboard

SIGNAGE (AS/NZS 5033)Ispermanentlyfixedonarrayjunctionboxes(blackonyellow)

Fireemergencyinformationispermanentlyfixedonthemainswitchboardand/ormeterbox(ifnotinstalledtogether)

PVDCisolationisclearlyidentifiedonallDCisolators

Isplacedadjacenttotheinverterwhenmultipleisolation/disconnectiondevicesareusedthatarenotgangedtogether

SOLARExteriorsurfaceofwiringenclosureslabelled‘SOLAR’

Shutdownprocedureispermanentlyfixedatinverterand/oronmainswitchboard

Anyothersignageasrequiredbythelocalelectricitydistributor





ATTACHMENT1:DANGEROUSSITUATION

ATTACHMENT2:PVARRAYROOFMOUNTING

Adangeroussituationcanoccurifthepersoninstallingthesystemcomesintocontactwiththepositiveandnegativeoutputsofthesolararrayorsub-arraywhentheoutputvoltageis120VDCorabove.

Mostgrid-connectedsystemsuseapprovedsolarmoduleswhichareconnectedusingdoubleinsulatedleadswithpolarisedshroudedplugandsocketconnections.

Adangeroussituationisonlylikelytooccurat:

→ thePVarrayisolatorbeforetheinverter→ theroof-topisolator→ thesub-arrayandarrayjunctionboxes(ifused).

Topreventthepossibilityofaninstallercomingincontactwithlivewires,itisrecommendedpracticethatoneoftheinterconnectcablesinthemiddleofeachstring(asshowninFigure2)isleftdisconnecteduntilallthewiringiscompletedbetweenthearrayandtheinverter.Onlyafterallisolatorsandotherhardwiredconnectionsarecompleted,shouldtheinterconnectioninthemiddleofthearraybeconnected.

RefertoAS/NZS1170.2Structuraldesignactions-Windactions(andAustralianWindRegionsmap,FigureA3below.)

PVarrayframesshallbewindratedforthesite.Consultthemanufacturer’sspecifications(somemodulesarenotsuitableforuseincyclonezones).

Careshallbetakenwithrooffixingsystems.Considerationshallbegiventofactorssuchas:

→ winddirection→ terraincategory(suburban,city/industrial)→ locationtopography→ heightofstructure.

Asanexample,wherethePVarrayiswithin1metreofroofedges,windloadingcanbedoubled.Additionalfixingmayberequiredbasedonthewindregion.WindregionsCandDbelow(Figure4)arecyclonicareasandhavespecialroofandPVmoduleattachmentrequirements.ConsultthePVmodulestructuralandmountingspecificationsforhighwindareas.

Figure3Australian wind regions

Figure2Disconnect

DISCONNECT

Figure 2




ATTACHMENT3:HARDWIRINGOFPVARRAYSThemethodoutlinedinthisprocedureistobefollowediftheinterconnectionbetweenthesolarmoduleswillbehardwired.IthasbeenwrittentopreventapersonbeingabletotouchthetwolivearrayLVoutputcableseitherwithin:

→ amodulejunctionboxor→ theisolatorlocatednearthearray.

Usingthismethod,thejunctionboxesonthemoduleswillonlyhavealiveELVsupply.

PleasereadthisprocedureinconjunctionwithFigureA4:

a)Thepositivecablefromtheisolatingswitchorbreaker isconnectedtothesolarmodulejunctionboxwhichis designatedasthepositiveconnection.Thiscableis double-insulatedandtherearenootherelectrical connectionsbetweentheisolatingswitchandthe arraypositivejunctionbox.

b)Thenegativecablefromtheisolatingswitchorbreaker isconnectedtothesolarmodulejunctionboxwhichis designatedasthenegativeconnection.Thiscableis double-insulatedandtherearenootherelectrical connectionsbetweentheisolatingswitchandthe arraypositivejunctionbox.c)Toensurethattheinstallerdoesnotworkonlive positiveandnegativecablesincloseproximityto theisolationswitch:

either:thepositiveandnegativecablesareelectrically connectedtothedoublepoleisolatingswitchor breakerpriortoelectricallyterminatingthecables withinthearrayjunctionboxes

and/or:thereisa‘multi-contact’styleinsulatedplug andsocketconnectioninthemiddleofthearraywhich isconnectedafterthearrayiswiredandthecables areconnectedintheisolationswitch.

Figure4Double Pole Isolator

‘MultiContact’styleinsulatedplugandsocketconnector

Doubleinsulatedpositiveandnegativecables

grid-connected solar pv systems - sol...

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