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Site Considerations for Equipment Installation, Grounding, and Wiring Manual
D301452X012
October 2019
electrode used. It is usually some type of terminal assembly where the bare copper wire of the
grounding conductor is inserted into an aperture and then clamped firmly in place by tightening a
screw or bolt. Examples of earth grounding connectors can be found in catalogs (such as
McMaster-Carr and Grainger). You can visit their website and search for these items under the
category: Bonding and Grounding.
If you are mounting the solar panel to a metal pole that is already properly grounded to an earth
grounding electrode, then it is only necessary to ensure the mounting frame of the solar panel has
a good, low-resistance electrical connection through the pole to the grounding electrode. Validate
this by using an ohmmeter to measure the resistance from the frame itself to the grounding
electrode. For a good connection, the resistance should measure less than 1 ohm.
6.6
Corrosion Protection
After you make all of the grounding connections, address any areas where you removed anti-
corrosion surface coatings to establish a good ground connection. Apply an exterior grade
environmental protective coating suitable for use over electrical connections to these areas to
prevent corrosion from degrading these carefully made ground connections. The coating chosen
should be UV resistant, flame retardant, both non-conductive and non-toxic when dry, and be safe
for use on wire insulation (plastics) and upon the materials comprising the solar panel frame.
6.7
Lightning Protection Considerations
As stated, the principal purpose of this ground connection to the solar panel mounting frame is to
provide a path to ground in the event of a lightning strike to the panel and/or its mounting frame.
However, it is also important to install lightning arresters and surge protection in the equipment
being powered by the solar panel (if such devices are not already integral to that equipment). By
diverting the resulting surge current to earth ground, these devices protect the internal electronics
from being damaged by a lightning strike.
For detailed information on proper ground wiring and establishing a suitable proper earth ground,
refer to
4, Lightning Arresters and Surge
36
Section 3, Grounding and Isolation.
Protectors.
For information on lightning protection, refer to
Section
Grounding and Bonding of Solar PV Array
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