SECTION 27: SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

SECTION 27
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

27.1 Scope

(1) This Section applies to the installation of solar photovoltaic systems except where the voltage and
current are limited in accordance with Clause 10.5.1

(2) The requirements of this Section supplement or amend the general requirements of this Code.

27.2 Normative References

(1) The following reference contains provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of the Ethiopian Building Code Standard on Electrical Installation of Buildings.

(a) C22.1-12: 2012 Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, Safety Standard for Electrical
Installations, 25th Edition.

27.3 Special Terminology

(1) In this Section, the following definitions apply:

AC module: a complete, environmentally protected assembly of interconnected solar cells, inverter, and
other components designed to generate ac power.

Array: a mechanical integrated assembly of modules or panels with a support structure and foundation,
tracking, and other components as required, to form a power producing unit.

Interconnected system: a solar photovoltaic system that operates in parallel with, and that may deliver
power to, another system such as a supply authority system.

Module: the smallest complete, environmentally protected assembly of interconnected solar cells.

Panel: an assembly of modules mechanically fastened together and prewired to form a self-contained
unit.

Photovoltaic output circuit: circuit conductors between the photovoltaic source circuit(s) and the power
conditioning unit or direct-current utilization equipment.

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SECTION 27: SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

Photovoltaic power source: an array or aggregate of arrays that generates direct-current power at system
voltage and current.

Photovoltaic source circuit: conductors between modules and from modules to the common connection
point(s) of the direct-current system.

Power conditioning unit: equipment that is used to change voltage level or waveform, or otherwise alter
or regulate the output of a photovoltaic power source.

Power conditioning unit output circuit: conductors between the power conditioning unit and the
connection to the service, distribution, or utilization equipment.

Solar cell: the basic photovoltaic device that generates electricity when exposed to light.

Solar photovoltaic systems: the total components and subsystems that in combination convert solar
energy into electrical energy suitable for connection to utilization load.

Stand-alone system: a solar photovoltaic system that supplies power independently of another system.

27.4 Marking
(1) A permanent marking shall be provided at an accessible location at the disconnecting means for the
photovoltaic output circuit specifying the following:
(a) rated operating current and voltage;

(b) maximum photovoltaic source circuit voltage calculated in accordance with Clause 27.5; and

(c) rated short- circuit current.

27.5 maximum Photovoltaic Source Circuit and Output Circuit Voltage

(1)The maximum photovoltaic source and output circuit voltage shall be the rated open- circuit voltage of
the photovoltaic power source multiplied by 125%.

(2) Notwithstanding Sub Clause (1), the maximum photovoltaic source and output circuit voltage shall be
permitted to be calculated using:

(a) the rated open- circuit voltage of the photovoltaic power source;

(b) the difference between 25 °C and the lowest expected daily minimum temperature; and

(c) the voltage temperature coefficient as specified by the manufacturer.

(3) The maximum photovoltaic source and output circuit voltage shall be used to determine the voltage
ratings of cables, disconnects, overcurrent protection, and other equipment in photovoltaic source or
output circuits

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SECTION 27: SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

27.6 Voltage drop

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of Clause 6.4.2, photovoltaic output circuit and photovoltaic source
circuit conductors shall meet one of the following requirements:

(a) the voltage drop shall be considered acceptable where the conductors are rated not less than
125% of the maximum available short- circuit current of the solar photovoltaic system;

(b) the voltage drop shall not exceed 5% of the rated operating voltage;

(c) the rated operating voltage drop shall not exceed the percentage calculated by multiplying
50% of the rated current of the photovoltaic source circuit under consideration divided by the
rated current of the entire array connected to the power conditioning unit or directly
connected loads; or

(d) the resistance shall be sufficiently low to facilitate the operation of the overcurrent device
protecting the circuit in the event of a short- circuit.

27.7 Ampere Rating of Photovoltaic Source Circuits

(1) The ampere rating of a photovoltaic source circuit shall be:

(a) the ampere rating of the overcurrent device protecting the circuit or the ampacity of the
conductors, whichever is less; and

(b) not less than 125% of the rated short- circuit current of that photovoltaic source’s circuit.

(2) For application of Clause 6.4.3, the continuous load shall be considered to be 125% of the rated short-
circuit current.

26.8 Overcurrent Protection for Apparatus and Conductors

(1) Overcurrent protection shall be provided for all photovoltaic conductors and apparatus in compliance
with the requirements of Section 9, except that individual overcurrent protection devices shall not be
required where the sum of the available short- circuit current from all photovoltaic source circuits
connected to the same power conditioning unit is not greater than the rated ampacity of the apparatus or
conductors.

(2) Where overcurrent protection is required by Sub clause (1) for a photovoltaic source circuit, each
photovoltaic source circuit shall be protected by an individual overcurrent device rated or set at not more
than the allowable ampacity of the conductors of the photovoltaic source circuit or the maximum
overcurrent protection indicated on the panel nameplates, whichever is less.

(3) Overcurrent devices for photovoltaic source circuits shall be accessible and shall be grouped where
practicable.

26.9 Photovoltaic dc arc-fault circuit protection

(1) Photovoltaic systems with dc source circuits, dc output circuits, or both, on or penetrating a building
and operating at a maximum system voltage of 80 V or greater, shall be protected by

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SECTION 27: SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

(a) a dc arc-fault circuit interrupter; or

(b) other system equipment approved to provide equivalent protection.

(2) The arc-fault protection system required in Sub clause (1) (b) shall
(a) detect and interrupt arcing faults resulting from a failure in the intended continuity of a
conductor, connection, module, or other system component in the dc photovoltaic source and
output circuits;

(b) not have the capability of being automatically restarted;

(c) have annunciation, without an automatic reset, that provides a visual indication that the circuit
interrupter has operated; and

(d) disable or disconnect

(i) inverters or charge controllers connected to the fault circuit when the fault is detected;
or
(ii) the system components within the arcing circuit.

26.10 Disconnecting means

(1) Means shall be provided to disconnect all equipment from all ungrounded conductors of all sources.

(2) Where the equipment in Sub clause (1) is energized from more than one source, the disconnecting
means shall comply with applicable Clauses of Section 9.

(3) Any photovoltaic output circuit rated 50 V and greater shall have means to disable and isolate it.

26.11 Wiring Method

(1) Conductors or cables installed in any location shall be selected in accordance applicable Clauses of
Section 4.

(2) Notwithstanding Sub clause (1), flexible cords suitable for extra-hard usage shall be permitted for the
interconnection of panels within an array.

(3) Conductors approved as part of an approved panel shall be permitted for the interconnection of panels
within an array provided that the photovoltaic source and output circuits operate at a maximum system
voltage
(a) of 30 V or less; or

(b) greater than 30 V where the array is not installed in readily accessible locations.

(4) Type RPVU (aluminum alloy thermoset photovoltaic) cable shall be permitted for the interconnection
of panels within an array provided that

(a) the conductor is provided with mechanical protection where subject to damage either during
or after installation;

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SECTION 27: SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

(b) the installation is serviced only by qualified persons; and

(c) the installation is inaccessible to the public.

(5) Type RPVU (aluminum alloy thermoset photovoltaic) cable shall be permitted to be installed in cable
tray for the interconnection of the solar photovoltaic system.

(6) Type RPV conductors installed in a raceway shall be permitted for the interconnection of the solar
photovoltaic system.

(7) Conductor and cable used for solar photovoltaic installations on or above a building shall meet the
flame spread requirements of the National Building Code of Canada or local building legislation.

(8) Types RPV and RPVU (aluminum alloy thermoset photovoltaic) cable installed inside a building or
structure shall be contained in a raceway.

(9) Junction boxes, enclosures, fittings, and raceways or compartments of multiple-channel raceways
shall be permitted to contain conductors that are connected to other different sources of dc voltage where

(a) all conductors are insulated for at least the same voltage as that of the circuit having the
highest voltage; and

(b) a suitable warning notice is placed at each enclosure and junction box giving access to the
conductors, indicating where multiple photovoltaic source circuits and photovoltaic output
circuits are available within the junction boxes, enclosures, and raceways or compartments of
a multiple-channel raceway.

26.12 Attachment plugs and similar wiring devices

(1) Attachment plugs and similar wiring devices shall be permitted to connect cable between modules and
panels where

(a) there are no exposed energized parts whether the devices are connected or disconnected;

(b) the devices are polarized;

(c) the devices have a configuration that is not interchangeable with receptacles or attachment
plugs of other systems on the premises;

(d) the devices are of the locking type;

(e) the devices are rated for the voltage and current of the circuit in which they are installed; and

(f) the devices provide strain relief.

(2) Where attachment plugs and similar devices installed in accordance with Sub clause (1) are readily
accessible and are used in circuits operating at over 30 V, they shall be of a type that requires the use of a
tool to open the connector.

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26.13 Module Connection Arrangement

(1)The connections to a module or panel shall be arranged so that removal of a module or panel from a
photovoltaic source circuit does not interrupt a bonding conductor to other photovoltaic source
equipment.

26.14 Interconnected System Connection

(1) Connection from the power conditioning unit to the supply authority of an interconnected system shall
comply with utility’s requirement.

26.15 Solar photovoltaic systems earthing

(1) Solar photovoltaic systems shall be earthed in accordance with Clause 27.8
(2) Ungrounded solar photovoltaic systems shall comply with Clause 27.9

(3) Grounding electrodes and earthing conductor connections shall comply with Clause 27.10

26.16 Power conditioning unit

(1) Clauses 27.17.1 to 27.17.7 shall apply to the installation of power conditioning units and ac modules.

(2) Wiring and protection of power conditioning units and ac modules shall conform to Section 27
requirements.

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