Off Grid PV Systems System Installation Guidelines

OFF GRID
PV POWER SYSTEMS
SYSTEM INSTALL GUIDELINES
FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
OFF GRID
PV POWER SYSTEMS
SYSTEM INSTALL GUIDELINES
FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
These guidelines have been developed by the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands in
Collaboration with the Pacific Power Association
They represent latest industry BEST PRACTICE for the design and installation of Off Grid PV Systems.
© Copyright 2012
While all care has been taken to ensure this guideline is free from omission and error, no responsibility can be taken
for the use of this information in the installation or design of any off-grid system.
GENERAL
The performance of a reliable installation, that fulfils a customers needs, requires both careful design
and correct installation practice and conformance to relevant standards.
STANDARDS for INSTALLATION

Installation should follow any standards that are typically applied in the country or region where the solar
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listed because some Pacific island countries and territories do follow those standards.. These standards are
often updated and amended so the latest version should always be applied.
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Supply Generating set
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Equipment for use with Distributed Energy Resources
DOCUMENTATION
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Shutdown and isolation procedure for emergency and maintenance.
Maintenance procedure and timetable.
Commissioning records and installation checklist.
Warranty information.
System connection diagram.
Equipment manufacturers documentation and
handbooks for all equipment supplied.
Battery record logbook.
Generating set service logbook
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PV ARRAY
ORIENTATION AND INCLINATION
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However the correct tilt angle should be determined based on energy usage and also the local weather
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period of the year.
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PV Module
PV Module -"5*56%&"/(-&
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because of the cloud cover in the wet season a tilt
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a greater energy output from the array in the dry
season.
Figure 1 a Figure 1 b
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ROOF MOUNTING
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PSJODIFT
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It is important to allow sufficient clearance to facilitate self cleaning of the roof to prevent the build up of
leaves and other debris.
If fauna are a problem in the vicinity of the installation then consideration should be given to how to
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the metals should be separated by using rubber washes or similar.
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stated in the system documentation.
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not possible then this must be detailed in Maintenance Timetable
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The installer shall ensure that the array frame that they install has applicable engineering certificates
verifying that the frame meets wind loadings for that particular location.
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array to the roof support structure to ensure that the array structure still meets wind loading certification.
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the life of the system..
FREE STANDING PV ARRAYS

These must be wind rated to meet the wind loading for the region.
BATTERY INSTALLATION
LAYOUT OF BATTERY ENCLOSURE
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all equipment must be readily accessible for maintenance

it must have adequate ventilation
it should be vermin proof
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leakage of battery acid from battery cells
personal safety in the presence of acid
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ventilation with no possibility of spark ignition.
VENTILATION (Metric Calculations)

Ventilation must be provided. The minimum area required for natural ventilation for both inlet and outlet
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A = 100q cm²
v
Where q JTUIFNJOJNVNFYIBVTUWFOUJMBUJPOSBUF
v
in litres per second = 0.006 x n x I
and n = the number of battery cells
I = the charging rate in amperes
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of its output fuse or circuit breaker. Where two parallel battery banks are used, the charging rate is halved.
Best practice is to provide input ventilation vents below the level of battery and the output vents on the
opposite side of the batteries, as high as possible in the enclosure to prevent hydrogen build up.
0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4]
VENTILATION (Imperial Calculations)
Ventilation must be provided. . The minimum area required for natural ventilation for both inlet and outlet
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A = 15.5q in²
v
Where q JTUIFNJOJNVNFYIBVTUWFOUJMBUJPOSBUF
v
in litres per second = 0.006 x n x I
and n = the number of battery cells
I = the charging rate in amperes
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of its output fuse or circuit breaker. Where two parallel battery banks are used, the charging rate is halved.
Best practice is to provide input ventilation vents below the level of battery and the output vents on the
opposite side of the batteries, as high as possible in the enclosure to prevent hydrogen build up.
VENTILATION- VALVE REGULATED (SEALED) BATTERIES

The charging rate I JO UIF WFOUJMBUJPO GPSNVMB JT " QFS "I BU UIF I SBUF $
PG EJTDIBSHF PG CBUUFSZ
capacity for lead acid batteries.
e.g. battery has CSBUJOHPG"IUIFSFGPSFUIFDIBSHFDVSSFOUVTFEJOWFOUJMBUJPOGPSNVMBJT

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SPARK IGNITION SOURCES

Electrical equipment or storage for other equipment should not be mounted above the battery bank.
Connection or disconnection of any equipment at the battery terminals must not occur where there is any
possibility of the presence of any hydrogen build up.
battery charging equipment should be hard wired, do not use temporary connection.
battery terminals should be shrouded to prevent inadvertent short circuits.
ensure sufficient clearance between battery terminals and metal walls
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use insulated tools during any battery work
Battery fusing preferably should not be in the same enclosure as the battery bank but if they are then they
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batteries and the fuse, thereby keeping the fuse as close to the batteries as possible but isolated from any
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]0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4
PREVENTING EXCESSIVE CURRENT FROM BATTERIES
Battery shorts are prevented by shrouding terminals and ensuring safe separation between live terminals.
Battery shorts are controlled by using appropriate circuit protection.
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protection.
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ACID LEAKAGE
Provision must be made to contain any spilled electrolyte. Battery trays should be able to hold at least the
electrolyte content of one cell of the battery bank.
ACID SPLASHES
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gloves, safety glasses and long sleeved protective clothing. Eye wash equipment should be available, in case
of accident.
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SAFETY AND WARNING SIGNS

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MAIN BATTERY PROTECTION

Overcurrent protection and the ability to readily isolate a battery bank must be provided.
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<"MMNBOVGBDUVSFSTQVCMJTIUJNFDVSSFOUJOGPSNBUJPOGPSUIFJSDJSDVJUCSFBLFSBOE)3$GVTFSBOHFT>
Obtain inverter manufacturers data

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I = *OWFSUFS1PXFS3BUJOH 8

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$POTVMUUIF5JNF$VSSFOUDIBSBDUFSJTUJDUPEFUFSNJOFUIFBQQSPQSJBUFSBUJOH
0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4]
CABLE SELECTION-Metric Cables
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$BCMFMPTTFTCFUXFFOUIF17BSSBZBOEUIFCBUUFSZCBOLTIPVMEOFWFSFYDFFE
$BCMFMPTTFTCFUXFFOUIFCBUUFSZCBOLBOEBOZ%$MPBETIPVMEOFWFSFYDFFE
5IFGPMMPXJOHTJ[JOHNFUIPET CBTFEPOWPMUBHFESPQT
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cable.
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PGDBCMF NN¤
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Wire size mm² 2 3.2 5 7.5 15

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Maximum Distance in metres to produce 5% voltage drop (12V system)

Current (A) 1mm2 1.5mm2 2.5mm2 4mm2 6mm2 10mm2 16mm2

CABLE SELECTION-Imperial Cables

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$BCMFMPTTFTCFUXFFOUIF17BSSBZBOEUIFCBUUFSZCBOLTIPVMEOFWFSFYDFFE
$BCMFMPTTFTCFUXFFOUIFCBUUFSZCBOLBOEBOZ%$MPBETIPVMEOFWFSFYDFFE
5IFGPMMPXJOHTJ[JOHNFUIPET CBTFEPOWPMUBHFESPQT
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cable.
5IFWPMUBHFESPQ VdJOWPMUT

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Vd Y-Y*Yɉ

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* DVSSFOU "
ɉ SFTJTUJWJUZPG$VXJSF GU

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&MFDUSJD$PEF5IFSFTJTUJWJUZWBMVFWBSJFTGPSDBCMFTXJUIEJòFSFOUDSPTTTFDUJPOBMBSFBT
0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4]
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Wire Size- AWG 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 1

(mm²) (2.08) (3.31) (5.26) (8.36) (13.29) (21.14) (33.61) (42.39)
Amps
0.5 0.16 0.10 0.06 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01
1.0 0.31 0.20 0.12 0.08 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.02
1.5 0.47 0.30 0.19 0.12 0.07 0.05 0.03 0.02
2.0 0.63 0.40 0.25 0.16 0.10 0.06 0.04 0.03
2.5 0.79 0.50 0.31 0.19 0.12 0.08 0.05 0.04
3.0 0.94 0.59 0.37 0.23 0.15 0.09 0.06 0.05
4.0 1.26 0.79 0.50 0.31 0.20 0.12 0.08 0.06
5.0 1.57 0.99 0.62 0.39 0.25 0.15 0.10 0.08
7.5 2.36 1.49 0.93 0.58 0.37 0.23 0.15 0.12
10 3.14 1.98 1.24 0.78 0.49 0.31 0.19 0.15
15 4.71 2.97 1.86 1.17 0.74 0.46 0.29 0.23
20 6.28 3.96 2.48 1.56 0.98 0.62 0.39 0.31
25 7.85 4.95 3.10 1.95 1.23 0.77 0.49 0.39
30 9.42 5.94 3.72 2.33 1.47 0.92 0.58 0.46
40 12.56 7.92 4.96 3.11 1.96 1.23 0.78 0.62
50 15.70 9.90 6.20 3.89 2.46 1.54 0.97 0.77
/PUFT $$$EBUBGSPN/&$5BCMF #

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]0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4
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Maximum Distance in feet to produce 5% voltage drop (12V system)

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CABLE PROTECTION
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CSFBLFST*OBEEJUJPOUIFTFDJSDVJUTCFJOHDBQBCMFPGCFJOHJTPMBUFEXJUIPVUUIFVTFPGUPPMT"OZDJSDVJUCSFBLFS
VTFEJO%$DJSDVJUTNVTUCFSBUFEGPSUIFBQQSPQSJBUF%$WPMUBHFBOECFOPOQPMBSJTFE
"MMDBCMFTVTFEJOUIFJOTUBMMBUJPOTIPVMECFTFDVSFMZöYFEJOQMBDFUPNJOJNJTFBOZNPWFNFOUPGUIFDBCMF
"OZFYQPTFEDBCMJOHXJMMCFQSPUFDUFEGSPN67BOENFDIBOJDBMEBNBHFFHSVOJODPOEVJU
Crimp style termination of wiring should use the appropriate crimping tool.
LICENCING
Extra Low Voltage ( ELV )
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Low Voltage ( LV )
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TIPVMECFVOEFSUBLFOJOBDDPSEBODFXJUIUIFSFHVMBUPSZ
requirements of the country..
]0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4
INSTALLATION CHECKLIST
PV ARRAY EXTRA LOW VOLTAGE CABLING
$BCMJOHJTTJ[FEUPNJOJNJTFMPTTFT
17"SSBZPSJFOUBUJPO ¡ in accordance with these guidelines
"MMTVCDJSDVJUTBSFQSPUFDUFECZ
Solar array is securely mounted
appropriate fuses or circuit breakers
and supported
Timber used is suitable for SAFETY
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Battery warning sign
/PEJTTJNJMBSNFUBMTBSFJODPOUBDU i%"/(&33JTLPG#BUUFSZ&YQMPTJPOi
with the array frames or supports
JTQFSNBOFOUMZöYFEPVUTJEFUIFCBUUFSZSPPN
Roof penetrations are suitably FODMPTVSFJOBQSPNJOFOUQPTJUJPO
sealed and weatherproof i&MFDUSPMZUF#VSOTiTJHOJTQFSNBOFOUMZ
17XJSJOHMPTTFTBSFMFTTUIBO öYFEJOBQSPNJOFOUQPTJUJPOBEKBDFOU
BUUIFNBYJNVNDVSSFOUPVUQVUPGUIFBSSBZ to the battery bank
"GSFTIXBUFSTVQQMZJTBWBJMBCMFGPS
PV wiring is protected by appropriate
eyewash and rinsing any acid spills
circuit breakers or fuses
8JSJOHJTQSPUFDUFEGSPN67BOE 110/230 VOLT (LV) INSTALLATION
mechanical damage
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in accordance with local regulations
#"55&3:*/45"--"5*0/
Wiring is protected from mechanical damage
The batteries are installed in a This checklist is based on the Sustainable Energy
dedicated battery room, enclosure or *OEVTUSJFT"TTPDJBUJPOPGUIF1BDJöDJTMBOET
restricted access area Installation Guidelines. The guidelines demonstrate
Ventilation is in accordance with guidelines UIFMBUFTUJOEVTUSZiCFTUQSBDUJDFw
"DJEMFBLBHFDPOUBJONFOU "65)03*4"5*0/
Batteries are not in contact with the
øPPSPGUIFFODMPTVSFSPPN * yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
verify that the following system has been installed
"MMCBUUFSZJOUFSDPOOFDUTBOEUFSNJOBMTBSF to the standard indicated by these guidelines .
protected against accidental short circuit
/BNFPGUIFQFSTPOGPSXIPNUIFTZTUFNXBT
"MMDSJNQMVHTIBWFCFFOöUUFEVTJOH installed
an appropriate tool .......................................................................................................
#BUUFSZCBOLJTQSPUFDUFECZ$#PSGVTFT -PDBUJPOPGTZTUFN
.......................................................................................................
"MMFMFDUSJDBMFRVJQNFOUJTNPVOUFE
......................................................................................................
PVUTJEFUIFCBUUFSZFODMPTVSFSPPN
Signed ........................................................................................
5IFSFBSFOPFYQPTFEMJWFQBSUTPO
%BUF
any installed equipment
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0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4]
Appendix 1
Table of Abbreviations and Acronyms
d.c. Direct current

a.c. "MUFSOBUJOHDVSSFOU
"4/;4 "VTUSBMJB4UBOEBSE/FX;FBMBOE4UBOEBSE
6- 6OEFSXSJUFST-BCPSBUPSZ
ICC International Code Council
/'1" /BUJPOBMöSF1SPUFDUJPO"TTPDJBUJPO
"4$& "NFSJDBO4PDJFUZPG$JWJM&OHJOFFST
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Wh Watt hours
kWh Kilowatt hours
W Watts
WP Watts peak
H hours
V Volts
" "NQT
7" Volt amps
"I "NQIPVST
PV Photovoltaic
PSH 1FBLTVOIPVST L8IN
L8IN ,JMPXBUUIPVSTNFUSFTTRVBSFE
Voc 0QFODJSDVJUWPMUBHF WPMUT
Vmp .BYJNVNQPXFSQPJOUWPMUBHF WPMUT
Isc 4IPSUDJSDVJUDVSSFOU BNQT
Imp .BYJNVNQPXFSQPJOUDVSSFOU BNQT
-7 -PX7PMUBHF 7%$JO"VTUSBMJBO4UBOEBSET
&-7 &YUSB-PX7PMUBHF 7%$JO"VTUSBMJBO4UBOEBSET
67 6MUSBWJPMFUMJHIU
HRC High Rupturing Capacity
CCC Current Carrying Capacity
Vd Voltage drop
$4" $SPTT4FDUJPOBM"SFBPGDBCMF NN
Cu Copper
$# Circuit breaker
]0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4
]0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.*/45"--(6*%&-*/&4

Off Grid PV Systems System Installation Guidelines

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Off Grid PV Systems System Installation Guidelines

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OFF GRID

STANDARDS for INSTALLATION

FREE STANDING PV ARRAYS

all equipment must be readily accessible for maintenance

VENTILATION (Metric Calculations)

VENTILATION- VALVE REGULATED (SEALED) BATTERIES

e.g. battery has CSBUJOHPG"IUIFSFGPSFUIFDIBSHFDVSSFOUVTFEJOWFOUJMBUJPOGPSNVMBJT

SPARK IGNITION SOURCES

SAFETY AND WARNING SIGNS

MAIN BATTERY PROTECTION

Obtain inverter manufacturers data

 5IFWPMUBHFESPQ VdJOWPMUT

 7PMUBHFESPQJOWPMUTQFSNFUSFTPGSPVUFMFOHUIPGUXJODBCMF VTJOHUIFBCPWFGPSNVMB

Wire size mm² 2 3.2 5 7.5 15

Maximum Distance in metres to produce 5% voltage drop (12V system)

CABLE SELECTION-Imperial Cables

 5IFWPMUBHFESPQ VdJOWPMUT

Wire Size- AWG 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 1

Maximum Distance in feet to produce 5% voltage drop (12V system)

        

d.c. Direct current

Vmp .BYJNVNQPXFSQPJOUWPMUBHF WPMUT

Isc 4IPSUDJSDVJUDVSSFOU BNQT

Imp .BYJNVNQPXFSQPJOUDVSSFOU BNQT

&-7 &YUSB-PX7PMUBHF 7%$JO"VTUSBMJBO4UBOEBSET

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e.g. battery has CSBUJOHPG"IUIFSFGPSFUIFDIBSHFDVSSFOUVTFEJOWFOUJMBUJPOGPSNVMBJT

5IFWPMUBHFESPQ VdJOWPMUT

7PMUBHFESPQJOWPMUTQFSNFUSFTPGSPVUFMFOHUIPGUXJODBCMF VTJOHUIFBCPWFGPSNVMB

5IFWPMUBHFESPQ VdJOWPMUT

&-7 &YUSB-PX7PMUBHF 7%$JO"VTUSBMJBO4UBOEBSET