PV202: Solar Training - Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid-Direct)

Define the purpose of the National Electrical Code (NEC®) and NEC® terminology for PV equipment

Determine procedures for proper installation of equipment and conductors, including minimum requirements for working space

Examine methods for PV wire management and determine where expansion fittings are required

Describe and identify electrical services, including split-phase and three-phase Wye (Y) and Delta (∆)

Evaluate electrical service details to collect and record during solar site evaluation

Identify options for NEC®-compliant PV system interconnection to the utility grid and determine whether a supply side, load side, or additional service connection is appropriate

Identify code-compliant methods for connecting an inverter to an existing AC feeder

Calculate PV module voltage based on temperature to ensure compatibility with system components and NEC® Section 690.7, and explore other options for maximum PV system DC voltage calculations

Identify NEC® requirements and sizing of disconnects and overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) in grid-direct PV systems

Define inverter grounding configurations

Evaluate inverter choices and system configurations, including string inverters, central inverters, and module level power electronics (MLPE)

Identify requirements for equipment grounding, equipment grounding conductors (EGC), and grounding electrode conductors (GEC), and size the conductors according to the NEC®

Identify common causes of ground-faults and arc-faults

Describe ground-fault and arc-fault protection devices

Describe benefits and appropriate locations of surge protection devices (SPD)

Demonstrate the use of sun charts and perform calculations to determine row spacing and minimize inter-row shading

Identify how Codes detailing access for first responders impact PV array roof layout

Examine fire classifications that affect racking and module selection

Detail NEC rapid shutdown requirements and options for implementation

Identify load and structural considerations for low- and steep-slope roof-mounted PV systems

Calculate wind uplift force and select appropriate lag bolts

Review issues related to planning, design, and installation of ground-mount PV arrays

Review PV system circuit terminology, definitions, and conductor types

Calculate minimum overcurrent protection device (OCPD) size and conductor ampacity using appropriate adjustment and correction factors

Calculate voltage drop and verify system operation within acceptable limits

Examine requirements for PV system labeling

Calculate the maximum and minimum number of modules per PV source circuit, and number of PV source circuits per inverter

Determine size of residential grid-direct PV system based on site and customer-specific considerations including the number and wiring layout of modules, conductor and OCPD sizes, and the AC interconnections

Determine the size of a large, multiple inverter, grid-direct PV system based on site and customer-specific considerations, including the quantity and layout of modules and inverters and the AC interconnection

Define large-scale PV and review associated NEC® allowances and requirements

Describe importance of Data Acquisition Systems (DAS)

Identify common DAS equipment and hardware

Review DAS design, installation, and commissioning processes and common

problems associated with DAS

Show how reports can be generated and utilized to remotely assess health of

system