Grounding of solar system
mbu
Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭✭
Im not sure if this question was ever asked but could not find it on previous threads. I have a 2400 solar panel array on a corrugated roof ie 6 x 24 v250w in 3s2p and 6x 12v150w 6s . the two groups are in the same corrugated roof but in two different locations and each has its own mppt cc.I want to ground the system.my idea is to run a single yellow household earth wire from any part of the metal roof to an earth rod buried just outside the house. i also plan to connect the lead neg terminal of my 48v battery bank to the same earth rod and to also connect the earth of my 5kva invertor to the same earth rod.will this work in terms of lighning diversion and allowing the circuit breaker to trip when there is a shot circuit?
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As for using the metal roof for a pv to ground connection, I can see a couple of potential issues. If you need to follow local electrical code you may find it isn't allowed. There would be a mechanical connection between the panels and racking, racking and roof, roof and ground wire, and ground wire and rod. All of these connections are potential failure points in the ground path, and the roof connections in particular will be prone to galvanic corrosion between the steel/zinc and aluminum racking/pv frame, and the copper ground.
Lightning protection is probably never 100% effective without taking some pretty extreme measures. Grounding the roof as well as a separate pv ground wouldn't hurt IMHO, but won't be 100%. If lightening is likely, I'd also use something like Midnite SPDs.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/what-is-the-difference-between-bonding-grounding-and-earthing
As far as lighting is concerned SPD devices may help from an indirect strike, but a direct strike is something entirely different, the path it takes is entirely up to where it chooses to go, it can actually exit a conductor if it finds a path of less resistance.
900W 3 × 300W No name brand Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah FLA 24V nominal as a backup system.
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergencies and welding.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
Solar energy can be much cheaper in the long run than drawing power off the grid and having to pay for it. While solar energy might be expensive to set up on a large scale if you want to switch over you entire house, the overall cost of running solar power is cheaper – and this warrants the expense of the set up for many people who realize how much money they will save when they don’t have to pay a weekly or monthly bill for their electricity usage.
Solar Energy Output
Solar energy output varies on the size of the panel that you have installed – and how many panels. The strength of the output is generally measured in voltage and wattage – and you should speak to a professional in solar panels when you want to know which to buy. This will all depend on your individual power consumption – and how much ground you’re hoping to cover. There are solar panels available in various sizes – from small ones that can charge a phone to larger ones that can run an entire house. All depending, of course, on what you need.
900W 3 × 300W No name brand Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah FLA 24V nominal as a backup system.
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergencies and welding.