What are the bonding and grounding requirements for PV systems?

The specific bonding and grounding requirements for PV systems in Article 690 are in Part V. Section 690.41 covers system grounding, allowing both grounded and ungrounded PV array conductors.

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.

Can a solar PV system be grounded?

Solar PV systems are still permitted to be grounded, per 690.41 (A) (1) and (5), and, for those PV systems that are, the dc grounded conductor is directly coupled (or coupled through electronic circuitry) to the ac grounded conductor, which is then brought to ground potential by being terminated to the neutral bus bar at the main service panel.

Why is grounding and bonding a PV system difficult?

A number of factors make the grounding and bonding of a PV system difficult. PV systems are exposed to the elements, which can result in atypical situations where the usual practices for bonding may not perform as intended.

Which PV system does not require ground-fault protection?

The only PV system that would not require ground-fault protection is a small PV system, with no more than two source circuits where all the dc conductors are not installed on buildings [690.5 Exception].

Where should a grounded PV system conductor be grounded?

The location where grounded PV system conductors must be grounded is covered in 690.42. It states that a grounded PV array must be grounded at the ground-fault protection device—and at no other location.