[PPT] - Considerations for Aging Solar PV System Components Emma Krause, PowerPoint Presentation

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Considerations for Aging Solar PV System Components

Emma Krause, Rooftop Solar Challenge Coordinator, DOER Matt Piantedosi, The Cadmus Group

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Training Outline

Purpose
What we know about aging PV systems
How issues can be addressed by the inspector

at the time of initial installation inspection

Breakdown by component
Structural
Grounding
Racking
Wiring/wire management

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

About the Trainer: Matt Piantedosi

BS Electrical Engineering
Western New England College
Cadmus Senior Associate Engineer and Solar PV Inspector
Inspected over 500 residential/commercial PV systems
Licensed Master Electrician in MA and NH
Licensed Journeyman Electrician

in MA, RI, and CT

Working in the trade for over

15 years

B. A. Piantedosi Jr. Master Electrician
Logan Electrical Company
IAEI – Boston Paul Revere Chapter
Executive Board Member

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

About The Cadmus Group

Energy consulting firm with renewable energy

technical and economic expertise

13+ years of experience
Assisting clients to develop and support

renewable energy in the Northeast

Cadmus has conducted quality

assurance inspections for more than 20 MW of solar PV installations

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Supporting clean energy programs since 2002

Inspections
Design Reviews
Feasibility Studies

Technical Due Diligence

Power purchase agreements
Net Metering
Program Design & Evaluation

Policy and Financial Analysis

Code Officials
Installers
First Responders

Training

About The Cadmus Group

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

The Ravages of Time

Water/rain penetration
Freezing/thawing cycles
Corrosion
Wind/snow loading
Electrical surges
Other wear & tear

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?

A PV system is expected to last 20-30 years, but a lot can change in that amount of time:

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Weatherproofing on the Roof

Flashing required per most roofing

manufacturers as well as 780 CMR 5903.2

Attachment points
Conduit penetrations
Screwholes
Lag bolts

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Insufficient Flashing/Poor Materials

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Good Product Choice, Bad Installation

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Poorly Flashed Penetrations Provide Remodeling “Opportunities”

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How Flashing Should Look

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Hardware Considerations

Hardware used must be rated for outdoor

environment:

Grounding hardware
Conductor insulation
Screws
Conduit fittings
Enclosures

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Module Frame Grounding

Wrong Lugs – (Copper or Not Listed for Outdoor)

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Bonding Bushings

Rated for Outdoor Use?

Lay-in lug
Must be suitable for the environment in which

it is installed

Outdoor/wet locations (suitable for direct-burial)

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Array Equipment Grounding System

NEC Article 110.3(B) / 250.12

All ground lugs must be

suitable and rated for the environment they are used

How do you know it’s

indoor rated when you don’t see rust?

Hints:
Rust is caused by a non-stainless steel set screw
All major manufacturers of lay in lugs share a common

standard of stainless steel screws

For outdoor rated lay in lugs

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Protecting Conductors

Required by NEC 300.4, 334.30, and other NEC

Articles

Common Sense = keep wires away from:
Abrasive surfaces
Sharp edges
Debris
Animals
Protecting conductors is still an issue in almost

1 out of every 4 PV installations

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21 Courtesy of Sirois Electric

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CADMUS

PV output conductors installed in conduit.

The Right Way…

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The Right Way…

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Creating A Cleaner Energy Future For the Commonwealth

Not the “Reaction” You Want to a New PV System

Galvanic reactions occur between common

materials found in PV systems and should be avoided:

Copper-Zinc (remember that zinc is used in

galvanized steel)

Copper-Aluminum (most module frames are

aluminum)

Allowing galvanic reaction means rapid

degradation of key system connections

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Dissimilar Metals

CADMUS 25

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Dissimilar Metals

Beyond the lugs…

CADMUS 26

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Dissimilar Metals

Beyond the lugs…

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Keeping the Water Out

Outdoor equipment WILL get wet:
Conduit
Combiner Boxes
Junction Boxes
Conductors
Splices
Equipment must be properly rated and installed

in order to last under these conditions

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CADMUS 29

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CADMUS 30

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CADMUS

Enclosures must be installed “so as to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating…” in accordance with NEC 314.15.

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Raceway must be sealed when passing between the interior and exterior of a building per NEC 300.7(A).

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Type NM Cable

NEC Article 334.12

Prohibited in wet/damp locations
Article 334.12(B)(4)
Outdoor raceways are wet locations!
Article 300.9

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Making It Last

To survive harsh outdoor environments for 25+

years, PV system components must be properly rated and installed.

Imagine 25 years of wind, rain, sun, snow, ice,

rodents, and debris

Focus on:
Good flashing/sealing
Wire management
Wet-rated equipment
Avoiding galvanic reactions
Sealing raceway and enclosures

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Questions?

Matt Piantedosi The Cadmus Group, Inc. Matt.Piantedosi@cadmusgroup.com http://www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean- tech/renewable-energy/solar/solar-permitting-and- structural-review-rsc2.html

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