Panasonic VBHN330SA15, VBHN325SA15 installation

General Installation Manual

Photovoltaic Module HIT®

VBHNxxxSA15 series									Model No.
										VBHN330SA15 and 15B
										VBHN325SA15 and 15B
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®.

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.

VBHNxxxSA15 series

1

Edition	Revision Date	Revised Item	Revised Content
New Edition	2015.12.22

2

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.
			3

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

between

the

roof

surface

and

the

modules

Installation

(reference)

so

that

air

can

circulate.

Panasonic

recommends

the

installation

method

and

mounting

profile

shown

in

Solar

Module

Figure 1

A module

should

be

attached

on

a mount

Mid

Clamp

or

support

structure

rail

by

corrosive-

resistant

metal

clamps.

(2

places)

The

clamps

should

be

made

of

aluminum

End

Clamp

alloy or

other

material

that will

reasonably

(2

places)

protect

against

a

risk

of

electrolytic

corrosion.

The

module was tested using Unirac or

IronRidge clamps

with

the

specifications

see

Mounting

figure 1

and

below;

Structure

Rail

1)

Unirac

clamps:

End Clamp

Mid Clamp

Solar Module



Provider: Unirac,

Inc.



Product

Line: SolarMount



Clamps

type:

Top

Mounting

Clamps

(Mid clamp and End clamp)



Unirac

Part

No.

302022C,

302022D,

Mounting

Structure Rail

302027C,

302027D



Width: Mid clamp; 1.5”(38 mm), End

clamp; 1.9”(48 mm)



Thickness:

Mid

clamp;

Nominal

<Unirac clamps>

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)

Mid

clamp

End

clamp



IronRidge Part No. RS-GD-MCL-225,

RS-GD-MCL-225B,

29-7000-224,

<Ironridge

clamps>

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,

Grounding

Mid

clamp

End

clamp

for

installation

method.

Panasonic does not provide a warranty for

clamps.

The

module

warranty

Panasonic

provides

shall

be

voided

if

clamps

selected

Figure

1.

Installation

by

the customer are of an

improper

material

or

size

4