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.

Does a PV system need to be bonded?

There is no requirement that a PV system be bonded at its disconnecting means but, if it is bonded there, the PV system grounded conductor is required to be connected to a grounding electrode system.

What are the requirements for a photovoltaic module bonding conductor?

Rule 64-222 requires exposed, non-current carrying metal parts of photovoltaic modules to be bonded in accordance with Section 10. The bonding conductor shall be sized as per Rule 10-616 and shall be not less than that given in Table 16. The equipment bonding conductor shall be installed in accordance with Rule 10-612 6) and 7) requirements.

Does a PV array need a grounding conductor?

Since the PV array and other electrical equipment in PV system, e.g., inverters, are often located remotely from one another, 690.43 (B) requires that an equipment grounding conductor (EGC) be run from the array to other associated equipment.

Do I need a grounding electrode for a PV array?

While a separate grounding electrode system is still permitted to be installed for a PV array, per 690.47 (B), it is no longer required to be bonded to the premises grounding electrode system. In PV systems with string inverters, the equipment grounding conductor from the array terminates to the inverter’s grounding bus bar.

Which service box is required for parallel connection of solar photovoltaic systems?

For parallel connection of solar photovoltaic systems, depending on the point of connection, the utility disconnecting means may be required to be an approved service box, as per Diagrams B1 and B3. Diagram B1 shows the parallel connection of solar photovoltaic systems where the PV system is directly connected to the supply authority.