Panasonic VBHN330SA15, VBHN325SA15 installation

VBHNxxxSA15 series

General Installation Manual Photovoltaic Module HIT®

VBHNxxxSA15 series

Thank you for choosing Panasonic HIT®. Please read this manual completely before installation or use of Panasonic PV(photovoltaic) modules. With proper operation and maintenance, Panasonic HIT® 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. The module is considered to be in compliance with UL 1703 only when the module is mounted in the manner specified by the mounting instructions below.

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

Model No.

 VBHN330SA15 and 15B  VBHN325SA15 and 15B

Contents

Please read before installation

Safety Precautions

 General Information :3  Warning :3  Cautions :3  General Safety :3  UL Listing Information :3

Installation

 General :3  Notes on Installation :3  Operating Conditions :5  Special Conditions :5

Specifications

 Note on Specifications :5  Mechanical Loading :5

Wiring

 General :5  Module Wiring :5  Array Wiring :5  Earth Ground Wiring :5  Grounding Locations :6  Grounding Methods :6  Module Terminations :7  Junction Box and Terminals :7  Conduit :7

Diodes :7

Maintenance :7

Disclaimer of Liability :7

Customer Services :7

“HIT” is a registered trademark of Panasonic Group.

Other product and service names listed in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Edition

Revision Date

Revised Item

Revised Content

New Edition

2015.12.22

Safety Precautions

General Information

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

WARNING

 All instructions should be read and

understood before attempting to install, wire, operate, and maintain a photovoltaic 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 (direct current)

electrical energy when exposed to sunlight or other light sources. Even a single module produces enough voltage and current, to cause shocks and burns if safety precautions are not followed.

 The shock hazard increases as modules are

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

 To avoid the hazard of electric sparks,

shock, fire, burns, damage and injury:

 Work only in dry conditions, with dry

modules and dry tools.

 Do not stand or step on modules. Do not

puncture, cut, scratch or damage the backsheet of a module. Backsheet damage

will void a module’s Limited Warranty and

may cause fire. Never use modules with a damaged back sheet.

 Do not allow children and unauthorized

persons near the installation or storage site of modules.

 Completely ground all modules.  Do not disassemble a module, attempt any

repair, open the junction box cover, nor remove any parts installed by Panasonic. There are no user serviceable parts within the module or junction box.

 Unauthorized persons - except the qualified

licensed professional - should not perform any electrical work, including wiring,

 Wear suitable clothing, guards, eye

protection and gloves to prevent you from direct contact with 30 VDC or greater.

 Wear non-slip gloves and carry modules by

the frame using both hands. Do not attempt to carry a module by yourself.

 Do not carry a module by its wires or

junction box.

 Do not drop anything on the surface of a

module.

 Ensure all system components are

compatible, and they do not subject the module to mechanical or electrical hazards.

 Sparks may occur; do not install modules

where flammable gases or vapors are present.

 Never rest or leave a module unsupported

or unsecured.

 Do not drop modules.  Do not use or install broken modules.  Do not artificially concentrate sunlight on a

module.

 Do not touch the junction box terminals.  Do not change the wiring of bypass diodes.  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, frame, or

front surface with paint or adhesives, to

avoid reducing its’ functionality, damage,

and causing inoperable conditions, and other unknown troubles.

 Do not insert PV cable between back side

and mounting structure rail.

GENERAL SAFETY

 Follow all permissions, installation and

inspection requirements.

 Before installing modules, contact the

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

 Electrically ground modules for all systems

of any voltage. If not otherwise specified, it is recommended that requirements of the latest National Electrical Code (USA) or Canadian Electric Code (Canada) or other national or international electrical standards

be followed. Refer to “Earth Ground Wiring” section for more information.

 Be sure that the building or structure (roof,

façade, etc.) where the modules are being installed has enough strength to support the load of the modules.

 For modules mounted on roofs, special

structures may be required to help provide proper installation support.

 The fire rating of this module is valid only

when mounted in the manner specified in the mechanical mounting instructions.

 Both, roof construction and module

installation design have an effect on the fire resistance of a building. Improper installation may contribute to fire hazards.

 The models in this instructions are suitable

to maintain the System Fire Class Rating A when used with a Listed mounting system and a roof covering that have been rated as a Class A System when installed on a steep slope roof and/or a low slope roof with "Type 2" modules.

 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 which are used.

UL Listing Information

To satisfy UL requirements, when installing the modules, be sure to:

1) Use only stranded or solid copper single–

conductor sunlight-resistant cable rated for outdoor use (e.g. type UF or USE) , for all wiring that is exposed to weather.

2) Observe the requirements described in

sections labeled INSTALLATION and SPECIFICATIONS.

INSTALLATION

General

Please read this guide completely before installing or using your Panasonic PV modules. This section contains important electrical and mechanical specifications.  Modules should be firmly fixed in place in

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

 Metals used in locations that are exposed

to moisture shall not be employed alone or in combinations that could result in deterioration or corrosion.

 Install modules where they are not shaded

by obstacles like buildings and trees. Pay special attention to avoid partially shading the modules by objects during the daytime.

 If needed, contact an Authorized

Representative with questions regarding mounting profiles for Panasonic HIT®.

Notes on Installation  Clearance 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 with a minimum of 1 inch clearance

Installation (reference)

Solar Module

Mid Clamp (2 places)

End Clamp (2 places)

Mounting Structure Rail

Mid Clamp

Solar Module

End Clamp

Mounting Structure Rail Figure 1. Installation

Mid clamp

End clamp

Grounding Mid clamp

End clamp

between the roof surface and the modules so that air can circulate.

 Panasonic recommends the installation

method and mounting profile shown in Figure 1

 A module should be attached on a mount

or support structure rail by corrosiveresistant metal clamps.

 The clamps should be made of aluminum

alloy or other material that will reasonably protect against a risk of electrolytic corrosion.

 The module was tested using Unirac or

IronRidge clamps with the specifications see figure 1 and below;

1) Unirac clamps:

 Provider: Unirac, Inc.  Product Line: SolarMount  Clamps type: Top Mounting Clamps

(Mid clamp and End clamp)

 Unirac Part No. 302022C, 302022D,

302027C, 302027D

 Width: Mid clamp; 1.5”(38 mm), End

clamp; 1.9”(48 mm)

 Thickness: Mid clamp; Nominal

thickness 0.075”(1.9mm), End clamp; Nominal thickness 0.125”(3.17mm)

 Torque: 13.6 N.m(10 ft-lbs).  Material: Mid clamp; 300 Stainless

steel, End clamp; 6000 Aluminum alloys

 Note: Please refer to Unirac manual,

for installation method.

2) IronRidge clamps:

 Provider: IronRidge Inc.  Product Line: RoofMount  Clamps type: Top Mounting Clamps

(Grounding mid clamp and End clamp)

 IronRidge Part No. RS-GD-MCL-225,

RS-GD-MCL-225B, 29-7000-224, 29-7000-224B

 Width: Grounding mid clamp;

1.16”(29.5 mm), End clamp; 1.5”(38 mm)

 Thickness: Grounding mid clamp;

Nominal thickness 0.11”(2.85mm), End clamp; Nominal thickness

0.125”(3.17mm)

 Torque: 9.5 N.m (85 in-lbs).  Material: Grounding mid clamp; 304

Stainless steel, End clamp; 5000 & 6000 Aluminum alloys

 Note: Please refer to IronRidge manual,

for installation method.

 Panasonic does not provide a warranty for

clamps. The module warranty Panasonic provides shall be voided if clamps selected by the customer are of an improper material or size

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