Installation
This installation task list is intended to be used as a planning guide only. Relevant Australian Standards must be followed (see earlier section on installation checklists). Where it varies to this list, manufacturers installation procedure should be followed. By no means are these tasks exhaustive, and additional tasks can improve quality. Tasks may be performed in other orders as required by each job. A single string array is assumed. A licensed electrician is assumed to be undertaking these tasks, as Low Voltages (>120V DC) are typically involved.
Tasks
Planning
- Assess Safety
Assess optimal panel placement
Assess optimal inverter placement
Assess roof penetration location (if needed)
Assess cable routes
Test panel Voc & Isc
Record panel serial numbers
Remove panels from boxes and place at panel lift location
Rooftop
- Undertake safety measures as required throughout this process
Join rails
Place rails in location
Affix feet to roof, using rubber pads for galvanic isolation on metal roofs, or grinding back tile underside if necessary
Affix rails to feet, ensuring rails are level
If necessary, penetrate roof and apply dektite
If junction box to be used, affix junction box to rails near end of panels closest to inverter
Working from end of array furthest from inverter,
- Place panel perpendicular to rails
- If at beginning of row/string then connect runback cable to panels connector, otherwise connect previous and current panels connectors
- Neatly cable tie panels cable and runback cable to rails, enclosing in conduit if preferred
- Lay panel flat on rails, ensure it is level and parallel with rest of array, and secure with end clamp and/or mid clamps
- Repeat a) through d) until working on final panel
- Prior to securing final panel, connect cables to (junction box, circuit breaker, or fuses if applicable) and DC feed cable, which electrician should have routed by now. Each strings voltage and current should be tested as part of commissioning procedure.
- Tidy up panel alignment and ensure panels are secure
Ensure waterproof entry and proper mechanical protection of feed wire
Earth array frames if necessary
Tidy up site
Inverter
Undertake safety measures as required throughout this process
Run DC cable (identified as Solar DC) from inverter location to solar array, via roof penetration if applicable
Run AC cable from switchboard to inverter
Neatly affix conduit and clamps for DC and AC cabling runs
Affix inverter enclosure to wall (if applicable)
Affix inverter to wall or enclosure (if applicable)
Affix DC breaker enclosure nearby
Affix DC feed wires into DC breaker
Affix DC inverter inputs into DC breaker
Secure DC breaker into enclosure
Affix inverter AC plug onto AC cable
Earth inverter enclosure if necessary
Connect array frame earth to inverter earth if necessary
Affix AC breaker (and enclosure if necessary) to switchboard
Switch normal power supply off
Connect AC cable to non-RCD protected consumer side of normal supply main switch
Switch normal power supply on
Test DC input polarity
Affix signage and labels as appropriate
Test and commission system
Tidy up site
Issue certificate of electrical safety or equivalent
Arrange for system inspection and meter change over as required in local electricity distribution area.
Bill of Materials
Panels
Inverter
- Inverter enclosure if required
Framing
- End clamps
- Mid Clamps
- Rails
- Rail Joiners
- Feet
- Rubber pad (for galvanic isolation)
- Roof screws
DC connection
- DC Connectors (preferred) or Crimps/Solder/Lugs
- Junction box (optional on arrays with 1-2 strings)
- Double adapter (for 2 stringed arrays)
- Heat Shrink (& heat gun)
AC isolation
- AC circuit breaker and enclosure
DC isolation
- Load breaking: DC circuit breaker & enclosure
- Non load-breaking Fuse & Fuse holder (if required)
Fault current protection (if > 2 strings)
Waterproofing
- Dektite
- Silicone
Wire (& marking pen if not marked "solar DC")
- AC between inverter and switchboard
- DC runback from far end of array
- DC feed cable to inverter
Signage
- Solar Supply Main Switch or equivalent
- Normal Supply Main Switch or equivalent
- Solar Array Isolator or equivalent
- Shutdown Procedure
- Warning Dual Supply (& extras for connection to distribution board)
- Solar Array on Roof
- Inverter location (if not visible from meterboard)
- Solar DC (if junction boxes used)
Conduit
Fixings
- Inverter (& enclosure if required)
- Signage
- Conduit clamps & screws
- Cable ties
- Circuit breaker enclosures.
Operations Manual
Future Sustainability are Master Electricians, the peak electrical body for Queensland based electrical Contractors.
