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Grid Tied Inverter Installation.

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I have been forced to forgo my international fashion modelling career and judging the Pekinise gate jumping trials in Scunthorpe, to install a grid tied inverter. I suddenly realised that I don't know anything about them beyond the theoretical. Apparently the system is a 5kW one.

 

Private solar panels are to be installed on a barn roof in the open flat countryside. Horses live in the barns/stables. The barns have a sub-main fed from a farm house TT earthed. Two residential caravans are located next to the barns. The barn owners are going to install the solar panels. I am required to just wire up the grid tied inverter.

 

Do I just bung in a B16 into the submain board, and a couple of isolators and hope for the best?

 

Do I need to consider lightning protection, S.P.D.s etc?

 

P.S. We get lots of flying insects in our homes in the sticks. Tip: If  using a hanging sticky flypaper, do not hang it below head height above your desk chair. I should know.

 

Z.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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    Might be telling you the bleedin' obvious but inverter manufacturers' instructions normally do give a reasonable recommendation for MCB to account for any inrush; I would suggest B16 may be a little tight. Likewise you need to find the statement from them that DC leakage isn't an issue so type B RCDs aren't required (and you do need to check the upstream RCDs aren't AC)... Decent manufacturers will do this but customer-supplied could be anything and BS7671 requires you to check.

    I presume I don't need to tell you that standard AC isolators often aren't rated for DC circuits on the PV array side of the inverter.

    Who is responsible for commissioning? If you then there is a procedure for energising the inverter (even if type-tested... is it definitely pre-set to UK grid codes, for example, or does that need to be selected on first start?) Someone needs to test the DC side, which is normally done with specialist tools and an understanding of the specific hazards.

    Who is notifying the DNO of commissioning, and, if it's G99 (5kW 1ph), is a connection agreement already in place?

    Suggest a canter through EREC G98 (for <16A/ph) or EREC G99 (>16A) and the IET Code of Practice for PV. Also BS EN 62446 (and 62548 though that doesn't appear to be your scope) applies.

    Irrespective I would suggest you have a duty of care towards the wider installation... Why are they calling you in for the inverter but doing the array themselves, if not to have some form of cover?

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  • 0

    Might be telling you the bleedin' obvious but inverter manufacturers' instructions normally do give a reasonable recommendation for MCB to account for any inrush; I would suggest B16 may be a little tight. Likewise you need to find the statement from them that DC leakage isn't an issue so type B RCDs aren't required (and you do need to check the upstream RCDs aren't AC)... Decent manufacturers will do this but customer-supplied could be anything and BS7671 requires you to check.

    I presume I don't need to tell you that standard AC isolators often aren't rated for DC circuits on the PV array side of the inverter.

    Who is responsible for commissioning? If you then there is a procedure for energising the inverter (even if type-tested... is it definitely pre-set to UK grid codes, for example, or does that need to be selected on first start?) Someone needs to test the DC side, which is normally done with specialist tools and an understanding of the specific hazards.

    Who is notifying the DNO of commissioning, and, if it's G99 (5kW 1ph), is a connection agreement already in place?

    Suggest a canter through EREC G98 (for <16A/ph) or EREC G99 (>16A) and the IET Code of Practice for PV. Also BS EN 62446 (and 62548 though that doesn't appear to be your scope) applies.

    Irrespective I would suggest you have a duty of care towards the wider installation... Why are they calling you in for the inverter but doing the array themselves, if not to have some form of cover?

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