Standards and

guidelines for PV
GreenCard in
South Africa

Dipl.-Ing. Udo Siegfriedt

us@dgs-berlin.de

BSW-Solar 1 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Introduction
This presentation will give an overview of International and South African
standards and guidelines for PV installations. The PV GreenCard as a
measure to ensure a high quality installations aims cover standards and best
practices for the following areas
Components
AC Installation (especially Grid Codes)
DC Installation (cable, DC switches, induction loop, fuses)
Lightning Protection
Fire Safety
Rooftop Installation
Safety at work
Commissioning, Operation & Maintenance
The presentation should be seen as a guideline for the PV GreenCard.
Especially for rooftop installations there are questions of regulations covering
other technical areas. This is open for further discussion.
The goal should be for the PV GreenCard to deal with all pertinent topics.

BSW-Solar 2 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Quality assurance steps along the value chain of PV systems

De-
Commis-
sioning

Upcoming:
- Recycling
- removal

Along the value chain the installer must consider all applicable standards

BSW-Solar 3 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Standards and other technical directives

National standards and guidelines

International standards and guidelines
Directives of grid operators
Regional codes and standards (building regulations)
Manuals and certificates by the manufacturer

South Africa did already take a big step forward with

implementing good standards and guidlines
For South Africa some international standards apply, some
national standards are developed based on international
standards

BSW-Solar 4 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Standards and other technical directives
Standard/Guideline Content Important for GreenCard
Electricity Regulation Act 2006.pdf Licensing of generation and distribution of energy ??
Electricity Regulation Ammendment Act 2007.pdf also but for municipcalities ??
Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989.pdf how to handle with the environment
G83-2 Engineering
_Recommendation_Aug2012.pdf Guideline for generators up to 16A per phase ??
IEC 60068-2-1 (preview).pdf Cold test Implemented in other standards
IEC 60068-2-2 (preview).pdf Dry heat test Implemented in other standards
IEC 60068-2-30 (preview).pdf Damp heat, cycling Implemented in other standards
Requirements for measurements on relays and
IEC 60255-1 (preview).pdf safety devices Implemented in other standards
IEC 60255-151 (preview).pdf Requeirements under/over current protection
IEC 60255-21-1 (preview).pdf mechanical test for relays Implemented in other standards
IEC 60255-26 (preview).pdf EMC Should be covered e.g. with an inverter certificate
most important, includes for example if a RCD shall
be mounted on the AC side and that a DC-isolator is
IEC 60364-7-712 (preview).pdf Installation of PV required
to name the IP of inverter and other relevant
IEC 60529 (preview).pdf IP degree of protection components should be included in the passport
IEC 61000-4-1 Overview of series (preview).pdf EMC measurements compliance necessary
IEC 61727 (preview).pdf PV systems grid interface compliance necessary
IEC 62109-1 (preview).pdf Safety of power converters general requirements compliance necessary
IEC 62109-2 (preview).pdf particular requirements for inverters compliance necessary
IEC 62116 (preview).pdf test procedure anti islanding device Implemented in other standards
Interconnecting distributed resources with electric
IEEE 1547.pdf power systems compliance necessary

National Building Regulations - R 2378 of 1990.pdf see next

national building regulations and building standards Another standard or guideline for detailes measures
act (2008).pdf Part T Fire protection necessary
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
Act No5 of 2008.pdf ??

BSW-Solar 5 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Standards and other technical directives
Standard/Guideline
NEMA National Environmental Management Act No
107 or 1998.pdf
NRS 057 Electricity Metering.pdf
NRS048 part 2 Quality of Supply - Voltage
characteristics etc.pdf
NRS048 part 3 Quality of Supply -Procedures for
monitoring and reporting.pdf
NRS048 part 4 Quality of Supply - Application
requirements for utilities.pdf
NRS048-7 Edition 1 WG DRAFT.doc
NRS-097-2-1.pdf
NRS-097-2-3-final-2014.pdf
Occupational Health and Safety 1993
Ammended.pdf
RSA Distribution Metering Code Ver 6.pdf
RSA Distribution Network Code Ver 6.pdf
SAGC Network Version 7_March 2008.pdf
SANS 1019-2001.pdf
SANS 211 (relevant but not actual standard).pdf
SANS10142-1(Amdt7) LV wiring of premises.pdf´
SANS10142-1Amdt8 Wiring of Premises LV.pdf
SANS60947-2 IEC60947-2 (preview).pdf
BSW-Solar
Content Important for GreenCard
??
compliance necessary
compliance necessary
compliance necessary
compliance necessary
Maximum individual generation limit in a shared LV
(400 V/230 V) feeder
Another standard or guideline for detailes measures
necessary
To ensure compliance with minimum requirements
for tariff metering and energy trading metering
installations
Operational Responsibilities of Embedded APPENDIX B: Embedded Generator Connection
Generators and Other Customers Application Form
Grid code
Standard voltages, currents and insulation levels for
electricity supply
components like inverter must have a certificate,
the whole installation must comply, but a individual
EMC measurement is not done in most cases.
Same as next, older version? see next
Part 1: Low-voltage installations. compliance necessary
Part 2: Medium-voltage installations above 1 kV
a.c. not exceeding 22 kV a.c. and up to and
including 3 000 kW installed capacity
Circuit breakers
6 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 Standards and other technical directives
Standard/Guideline
South African Grid Code Requirements for
Renewable Power Plants - Version 2 8.pdf
Standard for Interconnection of Embedded
Generation (Eskom doc).pdf
VDE-AR-N_4105 (contents).pdf
BSW-Solar
Content Important for GreenCard
Should be covered e.g. with an inverter certificate,
some of the content is comparable to VDE AR N
(i) Category A1: 0 - 13.8 kVA 4105
This sub-category includes RPPs of Category A with
rated power in the range of 0 to 13.8 kVA.
(ii) Category A2: 13.8 kVA – 100 kVA
This sub-category includes RPPs of Category A with
rated power in the range greater than 13.8 kVA but
less than 100 kVA.
(iii) Category A3: 100 kVA – 1 MVA
This sub-category includes RPPs of Category A with
rated power in the range 100 kVA but less than 1
MVA.
This category also includes RPPs of Category A1
and A2 with a rated power less than 100kVA that are
directly connected to a MV-LV transformer.
Note: RPPs with a rated power greater than 4.6 kVA
must be balanced three-phase.
Appendix 2: No special requirements for PV,
Appendix 8: Documentation
Shall the greencard also cover a medium voltage
Medium voltage, high voltage…, not for low voltage installation?
compliance necessary
7 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 KfW Toolbox: Standards for PV systems

Inverter

BSW-Solar 8 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 KfW Toolbox: Standards for PV-systems

BSW-Solar 9 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 KfW Toolbox: Standards for PV-systems

BSW-Solar 10 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Most relevant German grid connection standards for a later
assessment of a South African selection

Standards and guidelines:

DIN EN 61727: PV systems – Characteristics of the grid operator interface
DIN VDE 0126-1: Automatic isolation unit between a private power generator and
the public grid (incl. anti islanding)
VDEW-“Guideline for connecting and parallel operating of a private power generator
to the public grid
TAB 2007 Technical requirements by the grid companies for connecting to the
public grid
Grid connection point (German Renewable Energy Law EEG)
Technical and economically most suitable connecting point
Power generator < 30 kW: existing grid connection point = most suitable
Larger generator: : Assignation / in consultation with the grid company
In case of dispute: - EEG-Arbitration Office: www.clearingstelle-eeg.de

BSW-Solar 11 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Requirements for PV grid integration as implemented in Germany

Requirements EEG 2014 Part 2

FNN (Committee on the elaboration of VDE guidelines)- guideline VDE-
AR-N 4105 for connecting and operating of private power generators at
the low voltage grid (VDE: German Electrical Engineering Association)
BDEW guideline „Erzeugungsanlagen am Mittelspannungsnetz” (10 to
35 kV) – for connecting an operating of private power generators at the
medium voltage grid 06/2008
„European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity“
(entsoe) “ENTSO-E Draft Requirements for Grid Connection Applicable
to all Generators”. Not valid yet. Regulations close to VDE-AR-N 4105
and BDEW guidelines
Technical requirements for connecting to the public low voltage and
medium voltage grid of the BDEW (BDEW: German Utilities Association)

BSW-Solar 12 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 German electricity grid - rules of application (VDE AR 4105)

Criteria for connection:

Max unbalanced load: 4,6 kVA
Power > 13,8 kVA :
use of three phase inverters or
single phase inverter using a communication
to avoid unbalanced load behavior
Large three phase systems can be enlarged
on one phase up to 4,6 kVA without adding a
communication

Increase in voltage at the feed in point:

max. 3% (until 2011: 2%)
Limit values for flicker, odd and even
harmonics
=> Declaration of conformity
of the inverter manufacturer

BSW-Solar 13 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Grid stability

Feed-in management
Renewable Energy Law
(EEG)

Grid stability control

(reactive power) VDE 4105

Dynamic grid support

(fault ride through)
BDEW Guideline
BSW-Solar 14 Inverter Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 Requirements to the grid connection of
PV-systems according §6 EEG and VDE 4105
Generator power Necessary measures
≤ 3,68 kVA • Reactive power cos φ = +/- 0,95 according EN 50438
• Remote feed in reduction / shut down or feed in reduction to max. active power of 70%
≤ 13,8 kVA • Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,95
• Central or inverter integrated grid protection

Active power reduction if frequency > 50,2 Hz

• Remote feed in reduction / shut down or feed in reduction to

and shut down if frequency < 47,5Hz

max. active power of 70%
≤ 30 kVA • Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,9
max 4,6 kVA unbalanced load • Central or inverter integrated grid protection
• 3 phase inverter or 1 phase inverter and communication
• Remote feed in reduction / shut down or feed in reduction to
max. active power of 70%
≤ 100 kVA • Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,9
• Central grid protection, anti islanding protection integrated in inverter possible
• 3 phase inverter or 1 phase inverter and communication
• Remote feed in reduction
> 100 kVA • Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,9
• Central grid protection, anti islanding protection integrated in inverter possible
• 3 phase inverter or 1 phase inverter and communication
• Remote feed in reduction in several steps (mostly done with centralized telecontrol
signal 100%, 60%, 30%, 0%) and transmission of actual feed in power to the grid
company

Bold: same generator power as in <SA Grid Code Requirements for Renewable Power Plants Version 2.8>
BSW-Solar 15 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 Components : Inverter

The installation and therefore the

inverter must fulfil the grid codes of
South Africa
Conformity to grid codes must be
certified by an accredited institute.
The PV GreenCard will require the
compliance to the SA Grid codes.
The certificates and declarations have to
be added to the documentation
Special requirements must be
implemented in the GreenCard
(see example next slide)

BSW-Solar 16 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Special requirements for shared LV feeder NRS-097-2-3-final-2014

BSW-Solar 17 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Arc protecting / safe DC installation
Earth fault and short circuit
safe installation (cable
Generator junction box
laying avoiding sharp
edges, tight cable radius,…)
( String diodes ) according IEC 60364-4
Isolators Protection class II
String fuses Fused strings (positive and
Inverter
negative pole, DC-fuse)
DC main cable Measurements during
commissioning to ensure
String fuses correct installation
Lightning and overvoltage
Isolators
protection (if appropriate)

• Quality components
• Proper planning
• Good craftsmanship!
• Sufficient O+M
Source: Shell solar
BSW-Solar 18 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 DC Installation: Requirements for solar cable

Earth- and short circuit proof – protection class II

UV- and weatherproof (temperature range approx. -40°C to 120°C).
Exceptionally robust, but flexible
Flame retardant, with little toxicity in case of fire, halogen-free
Dimensioning for voltage and current
Low cable loss < 1 %
Type code PV-1-F
If required: ammonia resistant
If required: water proof, suitable for laying directly in the ground

Question: Does the significantly higher UV irradiation in SA influence the selection?

Are additional measures required (e.g. use of UV resistant conduit for exposed
cables)?
BSW-Solar 19 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 Excerpt solar cable datasheet (example)

BSW-Solar 20 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 PV GreenCard and Cable

The GreenCard shall address the requirements and necessary measures, e.g. if
the cable are to be laid directly in the ground
Most common requirements and the resulting measures should be answered in
check boxes
The certificates and declarations have to be added to the documentation
The installer shall also declare, that the whole installation is earth- and short
circuit proof by avoiding sharp edges, tight bending radiuses etc.

BSW-Solar 21 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Mounting of solar-modules on roofs as per VDI 6012 Sheet 1.4

The Installer has to design and is responsible for the following parts of the mechanical
structure:
Mounting of modules
The installation of the mounting structure on the building
Structural integrity of the building (static load, wind etc.)
Support is given by:
User directives (e.g. VDI guidelines)
Software (mounting system manufacturer)
Installation manual (module manufacturer, mounting system manufacturer)
Structural engineer

BSW-Solar 22 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Tilted roof with tiles

Consider roofing standards or guidelines to ensure that a roof remains impermeable

against water after a PV system was installed.

Source: Mannheimer AG
In the GreenCard the installer can only sign off an installation if all appropriate
standards and guidelines were adhered to.
BSW-Solar 23 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 Structural analysis

Load calculations according to European standard series EN 1991 (Eurocode)

Eurocode 1 Part 1: Actions on structures, General actions
Part 1-1: Densities, static weight, imposed loads for buildings
Part 1-3: Snow loads
Part 1-4: Wind actions
Parts 1-2, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7 contain actions like fire, thermal action and others
National annexes for country specifics like wind and snow maps
For South Africa SANS 10160-3:2010 applies
The GreenCard will require information on the mounting situation and all
assumptions using check boxes. Example: Building height in steps (see next
slide)
The results of a structural analysis should be part of the documentation where
applicable
Wind zones for other regions: http://www.sander-partner.ch; http://www.anemos.de
BSW-Solar 24 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa
 Wind: Load influence on inclined roofs

Windloads due to DIN EN 1991-1-4

Windzone Speed pressure q in KN/m² dependent of height

of building

landlocked country

landlocked country
Islands Baltic Sea
landlocked country
Islands Baltic Sea
landlocked country
Islands Baltic Sea
Islands North Sea

BSW-Solar 25 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa

 Conclusion

PV GreenCard approach: Challenge is …

Include as much technical content (standards and

guidelines) as necessary and as few as possible
Keep it substantiated, but also simple and workable!

BSW-Solar 26 Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa