Grid-connected PV installation
Best practice guidelines
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 1
Why best practice?
AS/NZS mandate minimum requirements
Best practices go above and beyond and
include non-technical aspects
Improve the quality/reputation of the PV
industry
Some best practices may be included in
new versions of AS/NZS
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 2
Before installation
Visit customer’s site before preparing
quote, don’t use satellite imagery
Watch out for shading
◦ Solar Pathfinder, SunEye, mobile phone apps,
visual estimate
Plan cable routes, inverter location, panel
layout
◦ Minimize effect of shading
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 3
Before installation
Watch out for meter box upgrades
Give a firm quote, no hidden costs
Give a timeline to installation and stick to
it
Assist with regulatory approvals
◦ Grid connection, planning, RECs
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 4
Before installation
Give an accurate estimated energy yield
(in writing)
◦ PVSyst
◦ RETScreen
◦ Manual calculations using BOM or NASA or
the ASRDH
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 5
Before installation
Azimuth
-90° -60° -30° 0° 30° 60° 90°
0° 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% 90%
15° 88% 93% 96% 98% 96% 93% 88%
30° 83% 92% 98% 100% 98% 92% 83%
Inclination
45° 77% 88% 95% 97% 95% 88% 77%
60° 69% 80% 87% 90% 87% 80% 69%
75° 60% 70% 77% 78% 77% 70% 60%
90° 51% 59% 63% 63% 63% 59% 51%
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 6
Health and Safety
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Health and Safety
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PV modules
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PV modules
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PV modules
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PV modules
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 12
A note on fuses
Overcurrent protection may be required
when multiple stings are connected in
parallel
AS/NZS 5033:2005 provides sizing
requirements for overcurrent protection
AS/NZS 5033:2005 does not provide
mandatory trip times for protection
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 13
A note on fuses
IEC 61730.2 tests modules to withstand
135% of the maximum series fuse rating
for 2 hours
=> size overcurrent protection so that it
does not trip under normal operation, but
trips within 2 hours of an overcurrent
situation. Look at fuse/MCB
manufacturer’s datasheets.
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 14
A note on fuses
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 15
Polarized DC circuit breakers
Pay attention to the
direction of current
Generally speaking,
the PV array goes in
the terminals marked
+ and –
Check wiring with
manufacturer
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 16
DC cabling
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 17
DC cabling
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DC cabling
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DC cabling
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DC cabling
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 21
Inverters - good
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 22
Inverters - good
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 23
Inverters - better
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Inverters - best
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Inverters - best
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 26
Labelling and documentation
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 27
Labelling and documentation
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 28
Labelling and documentation
Documentation should be given to
customer after installation is complete:
◦ Overall working of system
◦ Data sheets and handbooks (PV modules,
inverters, mounting rails)
◦ List of equipment supplied, with serial
numbers
◦ Wiring diagrams and string layout
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 29
Labelling and documentation
◦ Commissioning sheet and installation checklist
◦ Expected annual yield
◦ Warranty certificates and manufacturer’s
contact details
◦ Maintenance procedures, shutdown
procedure, alarms installed and action
required.
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice Workshop 30
Thank you
AuSES PV Installation Best Practice
Workshop 31
