GRID-CONNECTED
PV SYSTEMS
SYSTEM INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Acknowledgement
The development of this guideline was funded through the Sustainable Energy Industry Development
Project (SEIDP). The World Bank through Scaling Up Renewable Energy for Low-Income Countries
(SREP) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDSDOCK) provided funding to the PPA as the Project
Implementation Agency for the SEIDP. The guidelines have been developed by Global Sustainable Energy
Solutions with the support of Dr Herbert Wade and reviewed by PPA and SEIAPI Technical Committees.
They represent latest industry BEST PRACTICE for the design of Grid Connected PV Systems
© Copyright 2019
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 design of any grid connected PV System.
Appendix 2: Installation and Commissioning Sample
Installer name:
Installer signature:
Commissioning date:
Installation address:
Client name:
Client contact details:
PV module manufacturer: PV module model number:
Inverter No1 Manufacturer Inverter No 1 Model Number
Inverter No2 Manufacturer Inverter No 2 Model Number
Inverter No3 Manufacturer Inverter No 3 Model Number
All PV modules connected to the same MPPT are of the same make and
YES NO
model or have similar rated electrical characteristics:
All PV modules connected to the same string have the same
YES NO
angle of tilt and azimuth:
Number of modules in series: Number of strings in parallel:
String 1: Sub-array 1:
String 2: Sub-array 2:
String 3: Sub-array 3:
String n: (add more as required) Sub-array n: (add more as required)
Array mounting system manufacturer:
Array mounting system model:
YES NO
with respect to wind speeds
Array mounting system does not use or contact any
YES NO
galvanically dissimilar metals:
YES NO
Installation Guideline for Grid Connected PV Systems | 38
PV array voltage complies with site regulations: YES NO
PV system wiring is suitably protected from mechanical action: YES NO
PV array uses single-core double-insulated cabling compliant
YES NO
to relevant standards:
Overcurrent protection is provided where required: YES NO NOT REQUIRED
PV array uses single-core double-insulated cabling compliant
YES NO
to relevant standards:
All dc components (switch disconnectors, cables, fuses etc) and cables
YES NO
are rated correctly for dc usage and have voltage ratings greater than or
equal to the PV array maximum voltage:
All ac components are rated correctly for AC usage YES NO
All components are suitable for their environment and have the
YES NO
appropriate IP and UV ratings:
Disconnection devices and protection devices (where installed)
YES NO
are readily accessible in the case of maintenance or emergency:
Disconnecting devices comply with frequency-of-use requirements
YES NO
and are rated for the temperature-adjusted operational circuit current:
PV Array switch-disconnectors are rated to switch full-load
YES NO
currents and are not polarity–sensitive:
PV array switch-disconnectors interrupt all live conductors: YES NO
PV conductor current-carrying capacity is equal to or greater
than the potential system fault current or the overcurrent YES NO
protection (where installed):
PV cabling, where exposed to the elements, is UV-resistant or
YES NO
installed in UV-resistant enclosures:
A method of securing cabling has been used that will last
YES NO
the lifetime of the system:
DC cabling within buildings is enclosed in
YES NO NOT REQUIRED
heavy-duty-rated protection:
Combiner boxes are installed according to manufacturer recommendations: YES NO
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Combiner boxes are suitably protected from the environment using
YES NO
appropriate bottom-entry cable glands:
Double insulation between all conductors is maintained
YES NO
throughout the system:
PV plugs, sockets and connectors comply with relevant standards, are
rated for the installation environment and connected only with YES NO
the same make and model:
Blocking and bypass diodes, where installed external to the PV
module are suitably protected and graded according to relevant YES NO
standards and system parameters:
Overcurrent protection (where required) is installed
at the end of the conductor that is most electrically YES NO NOT REQUIRED
remote from the PV modules:
A dc switch-disconnector is located adjacent to the inverter if
YES NO
the array is not in the line of sight with the inverter:
Where multiple dc disconnection devices are
installed, they are ganged together or grouped YES NO NOT REQUIRED
and labelled such that it is clear that all must be
operated to isolate the system:
All exposed metal module frames and mounting equipment
are earthed and equipotentially bonded in accordance with YES NO
the relevant standards:
Equipment used for PV module and mounting frame earth
YES NO
Earthing/grounding has been arranged so that the removal of a
single module earth connection will not disrupt the continuity YES NO
of the bonding connections for the rest of the array:
Earthing/grounding conductor type and size comply
YES NO
with the relevant standards:
PV array functional earthing is done close to or
within the inverter and is done according to the YES NO NOT REQUIRED
relevant standards:
The inverter complies with the relevant country standards: YES NO
Installation Guideline for Grid Connected PV Systems | 40
The inverter installation complies with the manufacturer’s
instructions, the distribution network service provider’s rules YES NO
and regulations and relevant legislation:
Inverters connected to LV PV arrays have an internal or
YES NO
external earth fault alarm system:
Signage and labelling conforms to the relevant
YES NO
standards and guidelines:
Example test records
The following pages contain example test records that may be used as part of the system commissioning.
PV Array dc
Note:
of array (or string) combiner box (if one is installed)
There is no voltage on output side of array combiner box
(if one is installed)
Continuity between strings and array combiner box:
String 1 +ve
String 1 –ve
String 2 +ve
String 2 –ve
String 3 +ve
String 3 –ve
String 4 +ve
String 4 –ve
Correct polarity between strings and array combiner box:
String 1
String 2
String 3
String 4
41 | Installation Guideline for Grid Connected PV Systems
Open circuit voltages:
String 1 ..…V
String 2 ..…V
String 3 ..…V
String 4 ..…V
Continuity between array combiner box and PV array
DC switch-disconnector:
Sub-array +ve
Sub-array –ve
Correct polarity between array junction box and PV array
DC switch-disconnector
Sub-array VOC ..…V
Short circuit currents:
String 1 ....A
String 2 ....A
String 3 ....A
String 4 ....A
Short circuit current array ....A
Reconnect the strings one at a time by reconnecting
the string overcurrent protection (fuses) or
reconnecting any module connectors.
Open circuit voltage at input side of PV array dc
..…V
switch-disconnector
Continuity between PV array dc switch-disconnector
and inverter:
Array +ve
Array –ve
Correct polarity between PV array dc
switch-disconnector and inverter
Installation Guideline for Grid Connected PV Systems | 42
Inverter ac
Note:
Continuity between inverter and kWh meter:
Active (Line) ..…V
Neutral ..…V
Continuity between kWh meter and PV inverter AC ..…V
disconnector:
..…V
Active (Line)
Neutral
Correct polarity between kWh meter and PV inverter
AC disconnector
Correct polarity at output of PV inverter AC
switch-disconnector from grid
Voltage at output of PV inverter AC
..…V
switch-disconnector from grid
Initial reading of kWh meter .............
Insulation Resistance
Continuity between inverter and kWh meter:
Array Positive to Earth (ground)
Array negative to Earth (ground)
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Start-up of system
Refer to system manual for the inverter and follow start-up procedure.
This generally involves turning on the PV array dc switch-disconnector
followed by the inverter ac switch-disconnector, but the procedures as
recommended by the inverter manufacturer must be followed.
System connects to grid
When inverter ac switch-disconnector and PV array ac switch-
disconnector are turned on and inverter start-up procedure followed:
Voltage at dc input of inverter ..…V
Voltage within operating limits of inverter
Voltage at ac output of inverter ..…V
Current at ac output to inverter ....A
@ Irradiance value of ….W/m2
Input power of the inverter (if available) ....W
Output power of the inverter (if available) ....W
Output power is as expected
System disconnects from grid when inverter ac switch-disconnector
is turned off
Installation Guideline for Grid Connected PV Systems | 44
