Solar panels in sunlight without being hooked up

Options
Crystal
Crystal Solar Expert Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
in PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation #1
Can solar panels have direct sunlight shining on them without being wired to the rest of the components or should we cover them?
We are in the process of installing the rest of the components, but will have the panels mounted first. Will this be a problem?
Thank you in advance for the advice.
~Crystal
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • SlimDiesel
    SlimDiesel Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭
    #2
    Options
    Re: Solar panels in sunlight without being hooked up

    Not a problem. My 18 SolarWorld SW230's sat on the roof for about three weeks between when the installer put them there and the inverter was connected to the grid. The panels were wired in 2 strings to the inverter but the DC disconnect was off.
    · Share on Twitter
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
    #3
    Options
    Re: Solar panels in sunlight without being hooked up

    As SlimDiesel said--Full sun will not hurt unconnected panels (plug ends should be protected from short circuit/touching metal--there is still available power there that could cause a problem)...

    The bigger question is "are the panels someplace safe and secure so that they will not be damaged by kids/wind/tools" (i.e., properly mounted on the roof)?

    Any hard knock on the panels, and you will have shattered tempered/safety glass and $xxx of scrap.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
    · Share on Twitter
  • Crystal
    Crystal Solar Expert Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
    #4
    Options
    Re: Solar panels in sunlight without being hooked up

    Thanks for the quick reply. We will be mounting them in place, but it will be some time before we can get to hooking them up. I'm sure I will have more questions along the way.
    · Share on Twitter

Categories