Ground mounted solar PhotoVoltaic arrays

Ground mounted solar PhotoVoltaic arrays safety and maintenance.

Installation safety and protection

A ground mounted solar Photovoltaic (PV) array is a solar energy generator that is mounted on the ground using specially designed frames. These arrays are commonly used where there are no suitable building structures located in the desired area on which to mount the array.

Solar PV ground mount arrays are a building structure and are subject to the NT Building ACT.[i]

These type of solar arrays are located close to the ground where the panels, the electrical cables and components can easily be reached by persons and animals. e.g. children swinging on the cables or animals chewing the insulation of the cables.

Damage to any part of the array can present significant safety risks from the energy generated by the solar panels. A damaged array may also prevent the generator from producing the amount of energy expected and result in additional maintenance and a shorter life expectancy of the array.

Depending on the design of the solar PV array, the generated voltage can exist up to 1500 volts DC and will generally have sufficient current to cause death, significant injury and burns. Breakage of the cables can result in an electric arc (spark) that can burn the skin and start fires if there is dry grass or other flammable materials in the proximity.

Unprotected cables under panels	Cables protected by ducting

Requirements:

Where voltages of the array does not exceed 600 volts, and where damage or access to the array is limited to low risk.

All cabling and components of the array are required to meet the fundamental principles of protection against dangers and damage and be enclosed with conduit, ducting, covered cable tray or similar to prevent damage to or contact with any of the cables or components. [ii]

In all cases where the voltage of the array exceeds 600 volts,[iii] the entire PV array and associated wiring shall have restricted access,[iv] e.g. surrounded by a fence with lockable gate.

To achieve and maintain a safe ground mounted solar PV array as required by owners or operators of electrical installations[v], we recommend that a risk assessment be conducted to identify the additional risks presented and to define the requirements of protecting against the effects of injury and/or damage.

Example:

PV array voltage exceeds 600 volts:

Mandatory requirement:

The entire PV array is required to be restricted, e.g. 1.8 metre chain link fence with lockable gate.

Other considerations to consider for safety.

• Children can play in an area where the array is located, or
• Public can access the array, or
• Animals or persons may jump onto the panels causing damage or risking a fall, or
• Animals may chew or catch the cables or components
• Accidental contact – mowers, clearing vegetation, vehicles or other equipment accessing the area.

Risks presented: (not limited to)

• Damage to PV array causing injury, shock and/or burns
• Damage to the PV array causing failure and requiring maintenance
• Injury from falls.
• Injury from accidental contact/impact with hard edges
• Fire from components arcing.
• Early deterioration of the PV array.

Depending on the result of this assessment, the most appropriate protection may be to simply restrict access to the array and avoid all of the concerns.