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Cheat Sheet
Photovoltaic Design & Installation
For Dummies
From Photovoltaic Design and Installation For Dummies by
Ryan Mayfield
Sunlight allows photovoltaic (PV) modules (also called solar panels) to
produce electricity and perform useful work, such as running electrical
loads or putting energy back into the utility grid. To get started in the
burgeoning business world of photovoltaic design and installation, you
need to know a few basics, such as the main components in a PV system
design, pointers for conducting site surveys, and safety guidelines to use
during installation.

Major Components in a Photovoltaic System Design

New to photovoltaic (PV) systems (solar panels)? Haven't a clue what their
major components are? Here's your chance to discover what goes into both
grid-direct and battery-based PV system designs.
Following are the major components of a grid-direct system:
PV modules (which together form a PV array) with racking
A grid-direct inverter (listed to UL1741)
A combiner or junction box
A DC disconnect
An AC disconnect (possibly placed at the utility point of connection)
A meter to record the energy produced by the PV array
A utility interconnection across the circuit breaker inside the MDP
The major parts of a battery-based system include the following:
PV modules (which together form a PV array) with racking
A battery-based inverter (listed to UL1741)
A combiner box

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A charge controller
A battery bank
Battery metering
DC overcurrent protection
An AC bypass switch and disconnects
DC disconnects
A main load center
A DC load panel located near the battery bank and DC disconnects
(optional)
A generator (optional)

Designing Photovoltaic Systems: Site-Survey Tips

The best way to prepare to design a photovoltaic (PV) system is to conduct a
site survey. This survey helps you get familiar with the client's property so you
can better evaluate which location is best for housing the PV array. Here are
some tips to make your site survey go smoothly:
Look at your client's site via satellite image before showing up in person so
you can prepare for the site survey and even fill in some site information
beforehand.
Bring a camera, a notepad with your standard site-survey form, pens and
pencils, measuring tapes, and a shade-analysis tool so you can accurately
document the site and define where to place the PV array.
Take more pictures and video than you think you need. You'll be glad you
did when you're trying to remember a specific detail days or weeks after you
were on-site.
Give yourself plenty of time — unless you're okay with missing an important
detail just because you're in a hurry.

Staying Safe when Installing a Photovoltaic System

Installing a photovoltaic (PV) system often means you're working on a roof or
other high place and definitely means electricity is involved. PV systems
convert solar energy into electricity —and electricity is dangerous business.
Following are pointers for staying safe when you install any kind of

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photovoltaic (PV) system:

Always assume the wires you're about to touch are live; make sure you're
wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE). At a minimum, your
PPE should include safety glasses and high-voltage electrical gloves. It
should also include a fall restraint if there's a chance you could fall more
than 6 feet.
Never unplug a PV module connector without first measuring the current
flow through the conductor with a digital multimeter.
Set up ladders at a 4-to-1 angle (a rise of 4 feet for a run of 1 foot) and with
a minimum of three rungs above the roof line.
Start work early in the day and end early in the day. Installing PV systems
places you in some extreme conditions, and even the most physically fit
person will get worn down. No job is worth serious injury.
Installing PV systems is general construction work, which means the
hazards associated with construction are applicable here. Get yourself
trained in CPR and first aid, keep a first-aid kit on-site, and constantly
communicate with others on-site to make everyone aware of any potential
hazards.
Don't rush anything and always follow the instructions in the components'
installation manuals.

Copyright © 2012 & Trademark by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

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