Line of protection equipment in PV

array installation
• Several strings of solar panels are paralleled in the combiner that includes
fuses or circuit breakers. It is desirable although not required to have a
separate over-current interrupter for each string.
• One of the two DC busses from the PV array are usually grounded.
• In theory, either buss can be grounded- you need to check your part's
manual. Most inverters come configured for negative ground, although
some panels manufacturers recommend positive ground for higher
efficiency.
• The combiner frame or the PV arrays grounding conductor should also
bonded to an earth rod.

• A manual DC disconnect switch is required at the place where the

cables from the solar array enter the house.

• To reduce the possibility of a fire and to protect the system from a

damage caused by lightings it is desirable to have a voltage-clamping
device, such as a metal oxide varistor (MOV) across the DC buss.
• Besides a manual disconnect switch there should be a DC ground fault
interrupter (GFI) - a device that opens the circuit when it detects a specified
leakage current to earth.
• A voltage from the PV array is converted to AC by a special utility interactive
DC-AC inverter. Such a device operates as a pulse-width modulated switch
mode power supply SMPS with AC output.
• The SMPS inverter is connected directly to the main service panel. Although it
includes internal disconnect switch, the utility companies usually require an
additional manual AC disconnect.
• A grid tie inverter should meet certain power quality and synchronization
requirements, and provide anti-islanding protection. Note that it will be
powering your home only when utility is available.
• If the grid is down, the PV system has to immediately seize exporting power.
The control circuit automatically synchronizes inverter's output to the mains.
As per NEC Standard
As per NEC Standard
Reverse power relay for solar/ Reverse power relay protection for solar

Reverse power relay (RPR) sometimes also called Reverse power protection relay]

Reverse power relay (RPR) for solar is used to eliminate any power reverse back to gird from an on-grid (grid-
tie) PV power plant to the grid or to the generator by tripping either on-grid solar inverter or breaker or any
contactor depending upon the type of power distribution and a control circuit.

RPR (Reverse Power Relay) is connected at the coupling point of the grid and load [In simple words between
energy meter and load].

When RPR senses any reverse power it will generate a signal, which can be used to trip any contactor or
breaker or gird-tie solar inverter [if there is an option available in solar inverter].
Reverse Polarity Protection
Solar/PV inverters should be able to automatically protect when the positive input terminal of the inverter is
connected with the negative input end of the negative electrode. After the polarity is connected, the equipment
should be able to work properly.

Anti-islanding Protection
Anti-islanding protection is a way for the inverter to sense when there is a problem with the power grid, such as
a power outage, and shut itself off to stop feeding power back to the grid.
This is because when problems arise with the power grid it is assumed that workers will be dispatched to deal
with the issue, and they want the power lines to be completely safe, and not have electricity flowing from all the
nearby PV grid-tie systems.
Insulation Resistance Detection
If the ground resistance of a PV string connected to a solar inverter is too low, the solar inverter generates a Low
Insulation Resistance alarm.
Damaged insulation can cause ground faults to occur in which an accidental contact occurs between an energized
conductor and ground or equipment / array frame. Insulation faults can lead to conductor overheating and potential fire.
Insulation Resistance Detections are used to detect faulty insulation in ungrounded designs.
Residual Current Monitoring
A residual current is a leakage current that goes from the electrical system to the ground. It occurs due to a ground fault.
It is hazardous as it can result in injury or burns, electric shocks and overheating that can lead to a fire. A residual current
device or a residual current circuit breaker is used to detect the currents and then disconnect them automatically when
the value has exceeded the set limit. A residual current monitoring unit is similar to an RCD (Residual Current Device) and
will activate the alarm.
Output Over Current Protecion
Over current protection of the solar energy inverters, it should be able to ensure that act timely when the load short
circuit or current exceeds the allowable value, so that it can avoid the damage of the current. When the operating
current exceeds 150% of the rated value, the inverter should be automatically shut down. When the current is returned
to normal, the equipment can work properly.

Output Short Circuit Protection

When the inverter output short circuit, should have the short-circuit protection measures. Inverter short-circuit
protection action time should not exceed 0.5s, after short-circuit fault exclusion, equipment should be able to work
properly.

Input Over Voltage Protection

When the input voltage is higher than the prescribed over voltage disconnect value, which is higher than the rated
voltage of 130%, the inverter should be able to automatically shut down to protect and make the corresponding display.
AC / DC Surge Protection
The solar on grid inverter should have lightning-prevention protection function, and the technical index of the lightning
protection device should ensure to absorb the expected impact energy.
• Reduces conducted emissions towards the solar panel
• Reduces the probability of EMI radiation off the solar panel
• Helps to prevent pre-mature panel aging because of HF leakage
currents
• Helps to meet international EMC regulations for the entire PV system
Simple Payback period
• After investing money into solar PV system, it is desirable to find out
in what time period we are going to recover the invested money or
save the invested money
• Comparison has to be made with other electricity source that might
have been used without having solar PV system.. e.g., grid
• The period with which the invested money can be recovered or saved
is known as payback period.\