PV Panels - to Earth or not to Earth

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newtoallthis
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2022 8:10 pm

PV Panels - to Earth or not to Earth

#1

Post by newtoallthis »

Hi,

I am in the process of installing my lovely new panels to my DIY ground mount.

The panels are mounted onto an Aluminium rail system which in turn is fitted to a substantial timber frame - my next step is to connect them up.

The panel manufacturer has left holes in the back of the panels for earth connections, but my friendly electrician who is quite experienced with PV systems tells me that the firm he works for do not use these connections and don't earth the (many) panels that they fit.

Do we have any experience here regarding earthing (or not) and does the forum have a view ?

Regards

P
Multiplus II 5000VA 48V
4 x Pylontec US3000
3.68 KW AC coupled roof mounted PV
1.38 KW DC coupled roof mounted PV
3.68 KW DC coupled ground mounted PV
4KW Air 2 Air Heat Pump.
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nowty
Posts: 5790
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:36 pm
Location: South Coast

Re: PV Panels - to Earth or not to Earth

#2

Post by nowty »

18.7kW PV > 109MWh generated
Ripple 6.6kW Wind + 4.5kW PV > 26MWh generated
5 Other RE Coop's
105kWh EV storage
60kWh Home battery storage
40kWh Thermal storage
GSHP + A2A HP's
Rain water use > 510 m3
NikoV6
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:42 am

Re: PV Panels - to Earth or not to Earth

#3

Post by NikoV6 »

Metal roof over wooden frame here, our leccy installed an earth spike, belt and braces he said
14Kw Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP
22 x JA Solar 455W Mono Perc Half Cell Silvers
Solis 8.0Kw 5G Dual MPPT Inverter
13.5Kw Tesla Powerwall
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Thebeeman
Posts: 221
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2022 8:56 am

Re: PV Panels - to Earth or not to Earth

#4

Post by Thebeeman »

If un-earthed where would a lightning strike go? My guess is in through inverter etc, not good.
Just a thought.
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