Construction specifications for photovoltaic support grounding

What is a solar substation grounding guide?

Abstract: This guide is primarily concerned with the grounding system design for photovoltaic solar power plants that are utility owned and/or utility scale (5 MW or greater). The focus of the guide is on differences in practices from substation grounding as provided in IEEE Std 80.

What is the purpose of the grounding system design guide?

Scope: This guide is primarily concerned with the grounding system design for ground-mount photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants (SPPs) that are utility owned and/or utility scale (5 MW or greater). The focus of the guide is on differences in practices from substation grounding as provided in IEEE Std 80.

Do photovoltaic power stations need grounding?

Photovoltaic power stations need to do a good job of system grounding in the design and construction to ensure long-term, stable, safe, and efficient operation. This reduces unnecessary operation and maintenance in the later stage.

Why is proper grounding of a photovoltaic power system important?

Proper grounding of a photovoltaic (PV) power system is critical to ensuring the safety of the public during the installation’s decades-long life. Although all components of a PV system may not be fully functional for this period of time, the basic PV module can produce potentially dangerous currents and voltages for the life of the system.

Do PV systems need to be grounded?

The NEC requires that all exposed or accessible PV equipment and circuits be properly connected to earth (grounded) using specified methods and equipment. Source circuits in PV systems may be grounded or ungrounded as explained in this paper. As installed PV systems age, grounding issues emerge that impact system safety.

Does a photovoltaic system have a DC grounding system?

Photovoltaic systems having dc circuits and ac circuits with no direct connection between the dc grounded conductor and ac grounded conductor shall have a dc grounding system. The dc grounding system shall be bonded to the ac grounding system by one of the methods in (1), (2), or (3).