Panasonic VBHN240SE11, VBHN230SE10, VBHN235SE10, VBHN235SE11, VBHN230SE11 General Installation Manual

1 April 2012

General Installation Manual

HIT Photovoltaic Module

VBHNxxxSE series
VBHHxxxAE series

Thank you for choosing Panasonic HIT
photovoltaic (PV) modules. Please read
this manual completely before
installation or use of Panasonic HIT PV
modules. With proper operation and
maintenance, Panasonic HIT PV
modules will provide you with clean,
renewable solar electricity for many
years. This manual contains important
installation, maintenance and safety

information. The word “module” as

used in this manual refers to one or
more PV modules. Retain this manual
for future reference.

SANYO is part of the Panasonic Group
and is in charge of the manufacturing
process for Panasonic HIT solar
modules.

VBHNxxxSE series

Model No.

 VBHN240SE10 (HIT-N240SE10)
 VBHN240SE11 (HIT-N240SE11)
 VBHN235SE10 (HIT-N235SE10)
 VBHN235SE11 (HIT-N235SE11)
 VBHN230SE10 (HIT-N230SE10)
 VBHN230SE11 (HIT-N230SE11)

<Black Back Sheet Modul>

 VBHN235SE51
 VBHN230SE51
 VBHN225SE51
 VBHN235SE51B
 VBHN230SE51B

 VBHN225SE51B

VBHHxxxAE series

Model No.

 VBHH250AE01 (HIT-H250E01)
 VBHH250AE02 (HIT-H250E02)

 VBHH245AE01 (HIT-H245E01)
 VBHH245AE02 (HIT-H245E02)

 VBHH240AE01 (HIT-H240E01)
 VBHH240AE02 (HIT-H240E02)

Contents

Please read before installation
Safety Precautions

 General Information :2
 Warning :2
 Cautions :2
 General Safety :2

Installation

 General :3
 Notes on Installation :3

 Operating Conditions :3
 Special Conditions :3

Specifications

 Note on Specifications :3
 Application Class of Product :3
 Fire class of Product :3
 Mechanical Loading :3

Certifications :3

Wiring

 General :3
 Module Wiring :4
 Array Wiring :4
 Earth Ground Wiring :4
 Module Terminations :4
 Junction Box and Terminals :4
 Conduit :4

Bypass Diodes :4

Maintenance :4

Disclaimer of Liability :5

Customer Services :5

2 April 2012

Safety Precautions

General Information
The installation of modules requires a
great degree of skill and should only be
performed by qualified licensed
professionals, including, without
limitation, licensed contractors and
licensed electricians.

WARNING

All instructions should be read and

understood before attempting to
install, wire, operate, and maintain
the module. Contact with
electrically active parts of the
module such as terminals can result
in burns, sparks, and lethal shock
whether the module is connected
or disconnected.

The installer assumes the risk of all

injury that might occur during
installation, including, without
limitation, the risk of electric shock.

The modules generate DC electrical

energy when exposed to sunlight
or other light sources. Although
single modules produce only a low
voltage and current, shocks and
burns are still a potential hazard.

To avoid the hazard of electric

shock and injury, cover the entire
front surface of the modules with a
dense, opaque material such as a
cardboard box, during installation
and handling of the modules.

The shock hazard increases as

modules are connected in parallel,
producing higher current, and as
modules are connected in series,
producing higher voltages.

The shock hazard increases as

modules with nominal open-circuit
voltage (Voc) in excess of 50 V,
and/or modules rated for
maximum system voltage in excess
of 50 V.

To avoid the hazard of electric

shock, work only in dry conditions,
with dry modules and dry tools.

Do not stand or step on a module

to avoid the hazard of injury and
damage to the module.

Do not puncture or damage the

back sheet of a module, to avoid
the hazard of electric shock and
fire.

To avoid the hazard of electric

shock and injury, children and
unauthorized persons should not
be allowed near the installation of
modules.

To avoid the hazard of electric

shock and injury, be sure to
completely ground all modules.

To avoid the hazard of electric

shock, fire, and injury, do not
disassemble the module, or remove
any part installed by the
manufacturer.

Unauthorized persons—except the

qualified licensed professional—
should not open the cover of the
junction box to avoid the hazard of
electric shock.

Do not touch terminals while a

module is exposed to light. Provide
suitable guards to prevent yourself
from direct contact with 30 VDC or
greater to avoid the hazard of
electric shock or injury.

When carrying a module, two or

more people should carry it by its
frame and wear non-slip gloves (to
avoid injury by a slipping module,
to a foot, or cuts by the edge of a
frame, and so on).

Do not carry a module by its wires

or junction box, to avoid the
hazard of electric shock, injury or
damage to the module.

Do not drop anything on the

surfaces of a module, to avoid the
hazard of electric shock, injury, and
damage.

To avoid the hazard of electric

shock and fire, be sure that all
other system components are
compatible, and they do not
subject the module to mechanical
or electrical hazards.

Since sparks may occur, do not

install the module where
flammable gases or vapors are
present.

Never leave a module unsupported

or unsecured.

Do not drop a module.
Do not use or install broken

modules to avoid the hazard of fire,
electric shock, and injury.

Do not artificially concentrate

sunlight on a module to avoid the
hazard of fire or damage.

Do not touch the junction box

terminals to avoid the hazard of
electric shock and injury.

Do not change the wiring of bypass

diodes to avoid the hazard of
electric shock and injury.

Do not disconnect terminals while

modules generate electricity and
connect electrical load to avoid the
hazard of electrical shock.

Do not touch a module

unnecessarily. The glass surface

and frames get hot. There is a risk
of burn.

CAUTIONS

Use a module for its intended

purpose only.

Do not treat the back sheet or

front surface with paint or

adhesives, to avoid reducing its’

functionality, damage, inoperable
conditions, and other unknown
troubles.

GENERAL SAFETY
Follow all permission, installation and
inspection requirements.

Before installing modules, contact

the appropriate authorities to
determine permissions, installation
and inspection requirements,
which should be followed.

Be sure that the construction or

structure (roof, etc.) where the
modules are being installed has
enough strength.

For modules mounted on roofs,

special construction or structures
may be required to help provide
proper installation support.

Both roof construction and module

installation design have an effect
on the fire resistance of a building.
Improper installation may
contribute to fire hazards.
Additional devices such as ground
fault, fuses, and disconnects may
be required.

Do not use modules of different

specifications in the same system.

Follow all safety precautions of

other system components used.

INSTALLATION
General

Please read this guide completely

before installation or use of the
modules. This section contains
electrical and mechanical
specifications needed before using
modules.

Modules should be firmly fixed in

place in a manner suitable to
withstand all expected loads,
including wind and snow loads.

Please do not touch the glass

surface of modules to protect from
dirt, because the glass surface is
coated. (If the glass surface
becomes dirty, see section of
MAINTENANCE.)

The drilling and addition of ground

holes is permitted, but should be
avoided whenever possible to
avoid damage to the module.

3 April 2012

When additional ground holes are
necessary, they must not penetrate
the inner side of the aluminum
frame. Caution is advised to avoid
accidentally drilling, scratching, or
penetrating the back sheet surface
of the module. If required, it is
recommended to add additional
ground holes to the outer
aluminum lip area of the module.
In such case, additional ground
holes must be at least 65 mm away
from any frame corner.

For a non-integral module or panel,

the assembly is to be mounted over
a fire resistant roof covering rated
for the application.

Appropriate material should be

used for mounting hardware to
prevent the module frame,
mounting structure, and hardware
itself from corrosion.

Install modules where they are not

shaded by obstacles like buildings
and trees. Especially pay attention
to avoid partially shading the
modules by objects during the
daytime.

Please contact your SANYO

Authorized Representative with
questions regarding mounting
profiles for modules if needed.

Notes on Installation

Clearance of “10 cm” between the

roof surface and module frame is
required to allow cooling air to
circulate around the back of the
module. This also allows any
condensation or moisture to
dissipate. Install modules so that
air can circulate between the roof
and the module.

We recommend installation

methods shown in Figure 2. In
some areas, local electrical codes
may govern the installation and
use of modules.

To avoid the hazard of the electric

shock and fire, do not contact and
damage the back sheet of the
module with mounting bolts.

Operating Conditions
SANYO recommends that modules be
operated within the following
Operating Conditions. An installation
location with conditions beyond the
Operating Conditions or with other
Special Conditions (see below) should
be avoided. Operating Conditions of
Panasonic HIT PV modules are as
follows:

1) The modules should be operated

only in terrestrial applications. No
space or other Special Conditions
(see below).

2) The ambient temperature should

be within –20°C (-4°F) to 40°C
(104°F).

3) The relative humidity should be

within 45% to 95%.

4) The wind pressure load of the

installation site should be less than
2,400N/m2 (50PSF).

Special Conditions

1) The ambient temperature and

installation place are different from
the recommended Operating
Conditions.

2) Salt damage is severe at the

installation place.

3) Hail and snow damage is excessive

at the installation place.

4) Sand and dust damage is excessive

at the installation place.

5) Air pollution, chemically active

vapors, acid rain, and/or soot, etc.
are excessive at the installation
place.

SPECIFICATIONS
Notes on Specifications

1) Rated electrical characteristics are

within 10% of the values measured
at Standard Test Conditions (STC).
Irradiance of 1000W/m2, 25oC cell
temperature, and solar spectral
irradiance per IEC 60904-3.

2) Under normal conditions, a

module may experience
conditions that produce more
current and/or voltage than
reported at standard component
test conditions. Accordingly, the
values of Isc and Voc should be
multiplied by a factor of 1.25 when
determining voltage ratings,
conductor capacities, fuse sizes,
and size of controls connected to
the module output.

3) The current output for the modules

shown in the Specifications is
measured at Standard Test
Conditions. These conditions may
not be frequently observed in
actual practice.

Application class of product
Panasonic HIT PV modules are applied
to application class A. Application class
A for PV-modules are defined as
follows:
Class A: General access, hazardous
voltage, hazardous power applications

Module rated for use in this application
class may be used in systems operating
at greater than 50 V DC or 240 W,
where general contact access is
anticipated. Modules qualified for
safety through this part of IEC 61730-1
and IEC 61730-2 and within this
application class are considered to
meet the requirements for safety class
II.

Fire class of product
Panasonic HIT PV modules fill the fire
class C that provides to ANSI/UL790.
Class C roof coverings are effective
against light fire test exposures. Under
such exposures, roof coverings of this
class afford a light degree of fire
protection to the roof deck, do not slip
from position, and are not expected to
produce flying brands.

Mechanical Loading

The modules should be mounted

basically at the four (4) quarter
points by the means shown in
Figure 1-1 or 1-4. However, you
may choose the optional mounting
ranges (with limitation of fixing
span) by means shown in Figure 1­2 or Figure 1-3 for VBHNxxxSE
series, in Figure 1-4 or 1-5 for
VBHHxxxAE series.

This method offers a maximum

load of 2400N/m2 (50PSF, in a
static state) on the module surface.

CERTIFICATION
VBHNxxxSE series and VBHHxxxAE
series comply with the requirements of
IEC61215, IEC61730-1, IEC61730-2 and
the CE mark.

WIRING
General

All wiring should be done in

accordance with applicable
electrical codes.

All wiring should be done by a

qualified, licensed professional.

Wiring should be protected to help

ensure personal safety and to
prevent its damage.

All modules connected in series

should be of the same model
number and/or type.

Do not connect modules in parallel

without using a connection box.

Do not disconnect terminals while

modules generate electricity and
connect electrical load to avoid the
hazard of electrical shock.

To avoid the hazard of electric

shock and sparks, please connect