HOW TO DESIGN AND INSTALL SOLAR PANEL EFFECTIVELY

Presentation for Solar Design and Installation.

1. Intro to Solar Electric Systems

2. Covered in this workshop:

1. This workshop will introduce you to the
different types of solar electric systems.

= PV Direct

* Grid Tied

" Off grid
" Grid Tied, battery backup
= Hybrid

2. Pros and cons of each type will be discussed,
as well as equipment needed for each.

3. | Typesof
Photovoltaic (ev)
Systems

4. System Types: PV Direct m

5. System Types: PV Direct

PV Array

6. System Types:

PV (Photovolta

» Solar panel directly powers DC device

= Pump

* Fan Fay.
« Only runs when the sun is shining a

* Questions to ask when selecting:
= What DC voltage range does device support?
= How many watts does device need?
+ Watts = Volts x Amps
= How/where do you want to mount the PV panel?

7. System lypes:

Grid Tied a

8. System Types:
Grid-tied

+
| Grid-tied
Inverter

9. System Types:
Grid Tied

Reduces/eliminates your existing bill
+ Can be sized to make all or some of your electricity
+ House power will go out when grid goes down
* Questions to ask when selecting

10. System Types:

Grid Tied

Reduces/eliminates your existing bill
* Can be sized to make all or some of your electricity
* House power will go out when grid goes down
* Questions to ask when selecting

1. Does your electric company support Net Metering?

11. System Types:

Grid Tied

Reduces/eliminates your existing bill
+ Can be sized to make all or some of your electricity
* House power will go out when grid goes down
* Questions to ask when selecting

1. Does your electric company support Net Metering?
2. How many kWh do you currently use a month?

12. System Types:

Grid Tied

Reduces/eliminates your existing bill
* Can be sized to make all or some of your electricity
+ House power will go out when grid goes down

+ Questions to ask when selecting
1. Does your electric company support Net Metering?
2. How many kWh do you currently use a month?
3. How much do you want to offset?

13. System Types:

Grid Tied

Reduces/eliminates your existing bill
+ Can be sized to make all or some of your electricity
+ House power will go out when grid goes down
* Questions to ask when selecting

1. Does your electric company support Net Metering?

2. How many kWh do you currently use a month?

3. How much do you want to offset?

4. How much do you want to spend?

14. System Types:

Grid Tied

aes) A .
Reduces/eliminates your existing bill
* Can be sized to make all or some of your electricity
* House power will go out when grid goes down
* Questions to ask when selecting
1. Does your electric company support Net Metering?
How many kWh do you currently use a month?
How much do you want to offset?
How much do you want to spend?
How much space do you have for panels?

pio OS) fe)

15. System Types:

Grid Tied

Reduces/eliminates your existing bill
* Can be sized to make all or some of your electricity
+ House power will go out when grid goes down

* Questions to ask when selecting
1. Does your electric company support Net Metering?
How many kWh do you currently use a month?
How much do you want to offset?
How much do you want to spend?
How much space do you have for panels?
Where do you want them installed?
+» Roof (what type of shingles? Asphalt, tile, metal, etc?)
* Ground (pole mount, multi-pole, car port, etc)

an N

16. System Types:
Grid Tied car port

LULU

17. System Types:
Off Grid

18. System Types: Off-grid
“Stand-alone”; battery-based

PV Array

Breaker(s)

= Off-grid E
. Inverter :
Charge Ed 3
Controller

19. System Types: Off-grid

“Stand-alone”; battery-based

PV Array

Breaker(s)

2 Off-grid House
| Inverter Loads
Charge E
Controller

20. System Types:
Off-Grid

* Generates all of your power and stores power
in batteries

Requires inverter if AC devices are used

« Loads list needed to determine size of system
« Generator often used as well to supplement

* Questions to ask:

— How much power do | need?
— How many days off battery without sun?

21. Loads List

Appliance AC DC

Surge | Watts
Energy Star 1 \f 110 200 10 1,100
Fridge
Furnace Fan 1 Y 500 500 12 6,000
Well pump il Y 750 2,000 il 750
DC lights 4 Y = 8 4 32
Cell phone 7} N 5 3
Total 1,363 | 2,703

7,906Wh a day, with up to 1,363 watts AC on at once,
an AC surge of up to 2,703W.

22. System Types:
Grid tied + battery backup

Seg ees
PS

E .

23. Breaker(s)

Charge
Controller

7} backup

Backup
Loads

Sub-
panel

Grid-tied/
battery

Inverter

House

System Types: GT + Backup

Grid-tied with battery backup (DC Coupled)

PV Array

24. System Types: GT + Backup
Grid-tied with battery backup (DC Coupled)

PV Array

Breaker(s)
Grid-tied/
battery 55s
+ backup 3
Charge * Inverter
Meter

Controller |_

25. System Types: GT + Backup
Grid-tied with battery backup (DC Coupled)

Sub-
panel

Breaker(s) Grid-tied/
batter

2 ry
- backup
Charge Inverter

Controller

26. System Types: GT + Backup
Grid-tied with battery backup (DC Coupled)

PV Array

Breaker(s
35) Grid-tied/
battery
- backup
Charge +
ler |. Inverter

Optional generator

27. System Types:
Grid-tied Battery Backup

* Connected to the grid to buy/sell solar as
needed

+ Batteries provide backup for critical loads
when grid goes out
= Fridge/freezer, well pump, furnace fan, lights, outlet

+ Same questions apply from Grid-tied, but
also need loads list for critical loads to size
batteries

28. System Types:
PV & Turbine Hybrid

29. System Types: Hybrid
PV + Wind hybrid

Wind Turbine PV Array

Controller

30. PV + Wind Hybrid

« Makes additional power when sun isn’t
shining
= Often when the sun isn't shining, the wind is

blowing

» Helps supplement power in Winter with
shorter days

* Wind turbine must match the voltage of the
battery bank

31. What information
do we need

32. What information do we need from you?

d
. How much power do you need to generate?
. If battery based, how much storage do you

4. How/where will the panels be mounted?
. Preferred brand or special features

. Budget and time frame?

Which type of system?

need for how long?

desired?

33. Solar Electric Components

Part 1

34. ctives

This workshop will introduce you to the basics
components of a solar system:

+ Solar modules
« Batteries

35. Electricity:

Series & Parallel
Watts = Volts x Amps

+ Wiring panels in series increases voltage (minus to plus)
» Parallel strings increase amps (plus to plus, minus to minus)
+ Watts stay the same either way

Series Parallel
|
E

a 24V BB E 12V

13 L_ E x_5A x10A
120W LH sm
Two 60 Watt, 12 Volt,5 Amp panels

36. Electricity:

Series & Parallel

Same is true for batteries

+ Wiring batteries in series increases voltage
« Parallel strings increase amp-hour capacity
+ Each battery is 12V; 80Ah

_ Strings of _

2 x 80ah =
x_4x 12 Volts =

Watt hour =

37. Electricity:

Series & Parallel

Same is true for batteries

+ Wiring batteries in series increases voltage
* Parallel strings increase amp-hour capacity
+ Each battery is 12V; 80Ah

2 Strings of 4

2 x 80ah =

x_4 x 12 Volts =

Watt hour =

38. Electricity:

Series & Parallel

Same is true for batteries

+ Wiring batteries in series increases voltage
+ Parallel strings increase amp-hour capacity
« Each battery is 12V; 80Ah

2 Strings of 4

2 x 80ah = 160Ah
x _4 x 12 Volts = 48V

Watt hour= 7680

39. PV Modules

40. Modules: Making electricity from the sun

+ Solar panels generate DC electricity when exposed
to sunlight via the photovoltaic effect
+ Can be used to power a DC device or charge battery

= Voltage and current are variable based on brightness of sun

Front Contact

P-N
Junction
Back
Contact

(negative)

41. Modules: Making electricity from the sun

+ Solar panels generate DC electricity when exposed
to sunlight via the photovoltaic effect

* Can be used to power a DC device or charge battery
= Voltage and current are variable based on brightness of sun

Front Contact

P-N

Junction =~
Back
Contact

N-type
(negative)

P-type
(positive)

42. Modules: Making electricity from the sun

* Solar panels generate DC electricity when exposed
to sunlight via the photovoltaic effect

* Can be used to power a DC device or charge battery
= Voltage and current are variable based on brightness of sun

Front Contact

P-N
N-type Junction

negative =
(nee ) Back

P-type Contact
(positive)

43. Modules: Making electricity from the sun

+ Solar panels generate DC electricity when exposed
to sunlight via the photovoltaic effect

* Can be used to power a DC device or charge battery
= Voltage and current are variable based on brightness of sun

Front Contact

P-N
N-type Junction
negative
(és y Back
P-type Contact I

Current
ji

ositive
(p )

44. Modules: Combining cells to make a module

* Each piece of silicon is called a solar cell
* Multiple cells are wired together to make a module

= Each cell generates about 0.5V
= The higher number of cells, the higher the voltage of the module

= The bigger the cell, the higher the current
+ Multiple modules wired together is a solar array

Solar Cell = 0.5V

36 Solar Cells in series = 18Vmp

45. Modules: Comparing solar panels

+ Compare a 12V panel with a 24V panel.

|

Nominal 12V Nominal 24V
36 cells 72 cells

46. Modules: Electrical Characteristics

Standard Test Conditions (STC)

Maximum Power (Rated Watts) fea MIS | Man | SISTEM,
= on oc A
Voltage at Max. Power (Vmp) ES a —-

Current at Max. Power (Imp)
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)
Short Circuit Current (Isc)
Max Series Fuse

(KYOCERA _pnorovou arc wouc

MODEL ___KO140SX-UFBS

TRRADTANCE | 100m > [Gis 7 | HAT HOM

Tenax INA 63 A] mass

Isc BEA a

PAOTOYOLTA MODULE FOR USE HAZARDQUS LOCAS
Cae 1 Ov Orme À 8. em
ze

MADE In MEXICO.

47. Modules: Electrical Characteristics

Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)

+ Module not connected to load, but under sunlight
+ Maximum Volts a module will register on meter
Short Circuit Current (Isc)

+ Module not connected to load, but short-circuited and under sunlight
+ Maximum Amps a module will register on meter (typically)
Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp)

+ Module under load (in circuit), under operating conditions;

* Voltage of a PV module operating at its maximum power point (MPP)
Maximum Power Current (Imp)

* Module under load (in circuit), under operating conditions;

+ Amps of a PV module operating at its maximum power point (MPP)

48. Modules: Nominal Voltage

* Nominal voltage: originally based on battery
voltages (12V, 24V, 48V)

+ Can be determined by number of cells in module
+ Each cell equals about 0.5Vmp

12V 22.1V 17. 7 KD140
20V 60 38.3V 32.1V SW270
24V 72 44.6V 36.1V CS6X-300

27V 80 49.5V 40.1V KD320

50. Batteries: Function

Batteries chemically store electrical
energy produced by PV modules, wind
turbine, generator.

51. Batteries: Fast Facts

+ Must be deep-cycle;
automotive batteries should
not be used

+ Almost always lead based
(and heavy)

Should never be discharged
below 50% of capacity
Sized by Voltage & Amp-
hour capacity
=" 2Vto12V |
= 7 Ah to 2,000 Ah+ |

52. Batteries: Types

Flanded Lead Acid (FLA)

+ Liquid electrolyte (acid) that needs
to be monitored

+ Least expensive
+ Most common
+ Longest life
+ Ships as Hazmat
* Outputs hydrogen gas
— Proper ventilation is required
+ Need maintenance
= Check water and Specific gravity

53. Batteries:

Sealed Lead Acid (VRLA)

= AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) - Electrolyte
suspended in silica glass mat (think sponge)

= Gel — Electrolyte in silica gel
* Non-spillable or venting
* Generally ships as non-Hazmat
* Low maintenance
+ Higher cost
* Shorter life

54. Batteries: Storage Capacity

+ Ampere (Amp, A) is unit of current flow

+ Amp-hour (Ah) is unit of battery capacity
— Used to quantify volume of stored energy
— Amps x hours

VxAh=Wh

<== Example: MK 8A27 Battery

| Rating: 12 V, 92 Ah
o 12V x 92Ah = 1104Wh

55. Batteries: Storage Capacity

+ C/hour rate

— C/20 = charging (or discharging) over 20 hours
at 17.5 amps

+ Example: Surrette Rolls s460

Capacity

466 Ah
350 Ah
245 Ah

56. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

1. Rate of discharge AT a
2. Depth of discharge > =
3. Temperature in |

HE

es i eee

‘Temperature versus Capacity

Temperature CF

57. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

1. Rate of discharge a een
2. Depth of discharge = =

3. Temperature ba | = =
—= EE

cet ge wi D ep Garn UY, PE 2427.38

Temperature versus Capacity

58. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

1. Rate of discharge
2. Depth of discharge
3. Temperature

el Cyto Lite ve Doth of Dh a 225 CT
Based on BCI 2-hour Capaci

a =

Hin

re rt ge pew Sr ep rt u. U. 24.2.5

Temperature versus Capacity

a II 1 a |

59. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

1. Rate of discharge ee aaa eas
2. Depth of discharge

3. Temperature bn i
== EHER

Orc Date m win ra cn U. 24 27,

Temperature versus Capacity

60. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

Gel Cycle Life vs Depth of Discharge at +25°C 77°F)"

. Rate of discharge LT Bade te
. Depth of discharge

3. Temperature bm H
| a

Eb

N

\

61. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

al Crt Lev Dt co a ASC FY

1. Rate of discharge . ea
2. Depth of discharge u

3. Temperature bn ly i
| AN un 1 «L_ codon =

ye tape gen So ep se, UZ. 2627.3

| Temperature versus Capacity

62. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

1. Rate of discharge D TC CN
2. Depth of discharge E
3. Temperature bn li N

‘roe Chr es o ma ep as. U, ZA 24273

Temperature versus Capacity

63. Batteries: Storage Capacity & Life

sed on BCI 2-hour Capaci

1. Rate of discharge ©
2. Depth of discharge

3. Temperature ba li

Chee a ste in Si Sap se, 2M 2.27.28

Temperature versus Capacity

64. Batteries: Specifications

Sealed or flooded
Voltage

Amp-hour capacity
Size & Weight
Terminal type

65. | Solar Electric Components
Part 2

66. Objectives

This workshop will introduce you to the basics
components of a solar system:

+ Charge Controllers
+ Inverters

67. Controllers

68. Charge Controllers: Functions

Two main functions:
1. Prevents battery
overcharge
2. Prevents battery discharge
at night through the solar
modules

69. Charge Controllers: 3 - 4 Stages

E

ES

13

fo) 2 E

= fr 4 3

MIGHT CHARGNG Row wont >

E

on TE |S

1, Bulk 3, Equalization
+ Send all the current available from + High voltage.

the solar + Periodic boost to stir the electrolyte,
2» Absorption level the cell voltages, and complete

+ When the battery reaches the the chemical reactions.
regulation voltage, the current will + Flooded batteries only.
taper down to safe levels 4, Float
+ When the battery is fully recharged,
the charging voltage is reduced.

70. Charge Controllers: Types

Three Main Types
(in order of increasing sophistication)
1. Shunt (rarely used these days)
2. PWM (Pulse Width Modulated)
3. MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking)

71. Charge Controllers: Types

PWM
(Pulse Width Modulated) | Es"

* Less $$$ than MPPT
+ Same volts in as out

* Uses variable (duration
and spacing) pulse
charging

72. Charge Controllers: Types

MPPT

(Maximum Power Point Tracking)
Tracks the optimum voltage /
current ratio from array

Can provide up to 30%
increase in performance
over other controller types
Supports different voltage in
than out

73. Charge Controllers: Features

Optional Features:
+ Display
— LCD readout
— LED indicators
— Remote LCD
+ Remote monitoring
+ Temperature sensing & compensation
+ Low-voltage disconnect (LVD)
* Diversion load control
+ Lighting control - i.e. dusk to dawn

74. Charge Controllers: Sizing

Voltage
« Specs lists voltage range supported
= PWM
+ Same volts in as volts out
= MPPT

+ Can convert input voltage to match
battery bank

+ Cold weather increases voltage

75. Charge Controllers: Sizing

Voltage

+ Specs lists voltage range supported
= PWM
* Same volts in as volts out
= MPPT

+ Can convert input voltage to match
battery bank

+ Cold weather increases voltage

Voc x # in series = Max voltage

76. rge Controllers: Sizing

Voltage
* Specs lists voltage range supported
= PWM
* Same volts in as volts out
= MPPT

+ Can convert input voltage to match
battery bank

* Cold weather increases voltage

Voc x # in series = Max voltage
38Vx3= 114V

77. Charge Controllers: Sizing

Voltage
* Specs lists voltage range supported
= PWM
+ Same volts in as volts out
= MPPT

* Can convert input voltage to match
battery bank

+ Cold weather increases voltage

Voc x # in series = Max voltage
38V x 3 = 114V x 1.2 temperature = 136VoC

78. Charge Controllers: Sizing

Current
* Specs lists maximum amperage supported
= PWM
+ Same current in as out
= MPPT
+ Current is inversely affected by voltage
+ Watts = Volts x Amps
+ Total Watts in + Battery Voltage = Amps Out

79. Charge Controllers: Sizing

Current
+ Specs lists maximum amperage supported
= PWM
+ Same current in as out
= MPPT
* Current is inversely affected by voltage
+ Watts = Volts x Amps
* Total Watts in + Battery Voltage = Amps Out

1000W in + 24V = 41.6A Output

80. Inverters

81. Inverters: Converting From DC to AC

Voltage
60
ModifiedSine Wave ——

Pure Sine Wave
DC Voltage

82. Inverters: Modified vs. Pure Sine Wave

Modified Sine Wave

For simplest systems
Typically inexpensive

Fine for older TVs,
incandescent lights, motors
with brushes.

Generally not good with:
electronics, audio, induction
motors, rechargeable
batteries, or digital clocks.

Pure Sine Wave

+ Mandatory for grid-tied

* Preferred for off-grid
homes or larger systems

* Generally more expensive
than modified

+ Necessary for electronics,
florescent lights and
dimmers, inductive loads
to operate at their best

83. Inverters: System options

* Grid-tied
« Off-Grid
« Grid-tied, battery backup

84. Inverters: Grid-tied only

+ Converts up to 1000VDC voltage from
the solar array to AC Voltage
Connects solar array to electric
company’s grid for Net Metering

= Sells extra power back to grid to spin meter
backwards

* Does not use batteries

= |f grid goes out, so does inverter LL
Located indoors or outdoors

« Wattage based on size of PV array

85. Inverters: Microinverter Grid-tied

* Converts a single solar panel to AC Voltage

* Inverter mounts on the back of the panel,
bringing AC power into the house

+ Inverter Wattage based on size of PV module

+ Great with variable shading and multiple angles

* Can provide remote monitoring per panel

= Helps identify problems (À

86. Inverters: Off-grid (Stand-alone)

* Convert battery power (DC) into alternating

current (AC) of a higher voltage

= Use specified battery bank voltage :12, 24, 48V
« Inverter/ Charger

= Charge batteries from AC source
* Located indoors near batteries
* Stand-alone (off-grid) inverters
= Rated Wattage:

* Based on continuous operation

+ Surge capacity
= Voltage (must match battery bank)

87. : Grid-tied Battery backup

* Convert battery power (DC) into alternating
current (AC) of a higher voltage
* Sells extra power back to grid

« If grid goes out, powers critical loads
off battery bank

+ Use specified battery bank voltage:
24, 48V

* Inverter/ Charger
* Located indoors

88. rters: Features; Off-Grid and GTBB

+ Optional features:
= Integrated AC charging
= Automatic generator start
= Inverter transfer switch m
= Remote controls |
= Display
= Stackability
+ Adds volts or amps

89. Solar Electric Components:
RACKING

90. This workshop will introduce you to the basics
components of a solar system:
+ Racking
7 Roof
” Ground

~ Trackers

91. Solar Array Racking - Roof

+ Shingle Roof Mount
— Available for asphalt, tile
— Flush or tilted
— Flashing required

+ Standing Seam Metal Roof
— Clamps to grab onto seam

« Flat Roof

— No roof penetrations

— Ballasted
* Weighed down by concrete blocks

92. Solar Array Racking - Ground

» Pole Mount
— Top of pole
— Side of Pole
° Ground Mount
— Fixed tilt
— Seasonally adjustable

93. Solar Array Racking - Trackers

» Axis
— Single Axis
+ East to West
— Dual Axis
+ East to West
+ Seasonally adjusts tilt angle

« Passive
— Uses the heat of the sun to turn
array from East to West
» Active
— Uses electric motor to move array

* Increases output by up to 30%

94. Performance

95. Solar Array Racking - Performance

Sun Angle
+ Sun’s rays should be ede
perpendicular (90°) Swe
to module m

Sun’s position
moves seasonally
* Ideal year round
angle is latitude
— Winter, +15°

— Summer, -15°

96. Solar Array Racking - Performance

Sun Angle

* Sun’s rays should be
perpendicular (90°)

to module
> K vts
« Sun's position a 7
u
moves seasonally rt

+ Ideal year round
angle is latitude
— Winter, +15°
— Summer, -15°

97. Solar Array Racking - Performance

Sun Angle we,
* Sun’s rays should be = Ar
perpendicular (90°) ee
to module

Sun’s position
moves seasonally
« Ideal year round
angle is latitude
— Winter, +15°

— Summer, -15°

98. Sun Hours

‘Anchorage, AK Latitude 61.17"
Jan | feb I mar I Apr | may I jun T si T Aug | sep | oct | Nov | Dec | Avg |
Fired Array}
uatasos| 21 | 38 | a7 | 49 | so | a6 | aa | aa | 20 | 11 | os | aa
Tatitude 10 | 22 | 39 | 46 | 46 | as | 46 | 38 | 31 | 21 | 12 | 06 | 30
taasto] 23 [as [as | 43 | 39 | 38 | 34 | 29 | 20 | 13 | 06 | 28
‘Single Axis Tracker |
tetasos | 24 | 46 | 61 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 52 | 38 | 22 | 12 | os | 35 |
Latitude 10 | 25 | as | 61 | 66 | 63 | 61 | 51 | 38 | 23 | 13 | os | 39 |
tatsısl 11 | 26 | 47 se | 60 | 59 37 | a8 | 36 | 23 14 | 06 37 |
‘Dual Anis tracked 11 | 26 | as | 61 | 67 | 68 | 65 | 52 | 38 | 24 | 14 | 07 | 40 |
Key West, FL latitude _24.55°
Jan | feb | mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Avg |
Fed Array
lata 42] as | se | os | 63 | 60 | 60 | ss | sa
Tatitud as | ss | 61 | 64 | 60 | ss | 56 | 57 | 55
tateass3 [57 | 60 | 60 | 53 [as | 50 | 52 | 53
Single Avis Tracker
uasss| es | 77 | ss | aa | 75 | 75 | 73 | 67
Latitude 6.0 | 69 | 79 | 85 | 78 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 68
uses] | 78 | s2 | 73 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 66
Dual Aas Tracked 6.4 | 71 | 25 | 86 | 81 | 76 | 76 | 73 | 68

99. Solar Electric Components:

OVERCURRENT PROTECTION (OCP)

100. This workshop will introduce you to the basics
components of a solar system:
* Overcurrent Protection
~ Breakers and fuses
+ Breaker Boxes
7 Combiner Box
7 DC Load Center
~ ePanel

101. Overcurrent Protection

(OCP)

102. + Overcurrent Protection
— Fuses & Breakers
— Intended to protect wires

— Required between
all components

103. Overcurrent Protection
(OCP)

>

» Overcurrent Protection
— Fuses & Breakers
— Intended to protect wires

— Required between
all components

104. Sizing OCP

« Select correct rating
— Amps
— Voltage (including AC vs. DC)
* Oversize Amps by 25%
— Continuous 3 hour
+ Required by NEC for anything running more than 3 hours
— Over-irradiance

+ Before charge controller also need to be oversized an
additional 25% for instances where the sun is shining
brighter than stated in STC.

105. Sizing OCP

» Select correct rating
— Amps
— Voltage (including AC vs. DC)
* Oversize Amps by 25%
— Continuous 3 hour
+ Required by NEC for anything running more than 3 hours

— Over-irradiance
+ Before charge controller also need to be oversized an
additional 25% for instances where the sun is shining
brighter than stated in STC.
10A x 1.25 (continuous 3 hour) x 1.25 (over-irradiance) = 15.6A

106. Ground Fault Protection

(GFP)

Detects current flowing
through the grounding wire

— Disconnects solar circuit
Included in grid-tied inverters
Included in some charge controllers
Available for one or multiple circuits

To Charge

Negative
Controller a

From PY ——— Ground

107. Ground Fault Protection

(GFP)

* Detects current flowing
through the grounding wire
— Disconnects solar circuit
* Included in grid-tied inverters
+ Included in some charge controllers
» Available for one or multiple circuits

To Charge
Controller

Negative

>0.5A

From PV > > Ground

108. Li PV Breaker Boxes

]

109. Combiner Box

Pl: Wires multiple strings
in parallel
— Breakers or Fuses
* Transitions wire
into conduit
— For long haul to inside
: + Disconnecting
versions available
— Switch at box or remotely

MNPV4HV DISCO |

110. DC Load Center

PSDC &
O80C-GFPI2
SCHEMATIC

Outbackpower.com

111. DC Load Center

4

aE

PV Disconnects:

080C-GFPI2
SCHEMATIC

OCPD between
array and
controller

Outbackpower.com

112. DC Load Center

PSDC &
SCHEMATIC

À System GFP

Outbackpower.com

113. DC Load Center

PSDC &
OBDC-GFP2

DC-GFP/
SCHEMATIC

Controller Disconnect:
OCPD between
controller and battery Outbackpower.com

114. DC Load Center

DC Disconnect:
OCPD between
battery and
inverter

PSDC &
OBDc-GrPr2
SCHEMATIC

se

Outbackpower.com

115. AC Load Center

* Holds AC breakers
for Inverter output
and AC input
— from grid or
generator
* Bypass breakers to
remove inverter for
maintenance
— Loads run from
AC input

116. AC Load Center

+ Holds AC breakers
for Inverter output
and AC input
— from grid or
generator
+ Bypass breakers to
remove inverter for
maintenance
— Loads run from
AC input

5000W + 240V x 1.25= minimum 26A Breaker

117. Critical Loads Panel
Sub-Panel

Breaker
Box

GTBB
Inverter

Critical

Loads
Panel

+ Holds AC breakers
for critical loads
appliances
— well pump,
fridge, lights,...
+ Isolates battery-
based inverter output
from grid
— prevents back-
feeding grid

118. ePanel or Power Distribution Panel

E-PNL OUTBACK GRID TIE
TETE PARE CRE DE

* Includes AC & DC

breakers

— Breakers for both before
and after inverter

— Some sections may
be prewired