Panasonic VBHNxxxSA, VBHNxxxKA installation
General Installation Manual
Photovoltaic Module HIT®
VBHNxxxSA series
VBHNxxxKA series
Model No.
･VBHNxxxSA17
xxx=330, 325
・VBHNxxxKA03
xxx=325, 320
CONTENTS
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
･GENERAL INFORMATION
･WARNING
･CAUTIONS
MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
MECHANICAL LOADING
STANDARDS
FIRE CLASS OF PRODUCT
BYPASS DIODE
INSTALLATION
･GENERAL
･OPERATING CONDITIONS
･SPECIAL CONDITIONS
･UNPACKING AND HANDLING
2
3
5
6
VBHNxxxSA17 series
Thank you for choosing Panasonic photovoltaic module HIT®.
Please read this manual completely before you install or use of
HIT®. With proper operation and maintenance, HIT® will pro-
vide 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.
VBHNxxxKA03 series
･MODULE INSTALLATION
WIRING
･GENERAL
･MODULE WIRING
･ARRAY WIRING
･EARTH GROUND WIRING
･GROUNDING METHODS
MAINTENANCE
･ANTI-REFLECTION GLASS SURFACE
CLEANING
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
CONTACT INFORMATION
“HIT” is a trademark of the Panasonic Group.
Other product and service names listed in this
manual are trademarks or registered trademarks
of respective companies.
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13
13
13
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
CAUTIONS
All instructions should be read and
understood before attempting to
install, wire, operate, and maintain
the module.
The installation of modules requires
a great degree of skill and should
only be performed by qualified li-
censed professionals, including,
without limitation, licensed contrac-
tors and licensed electricians.
The installer assumes the risk of all
injury that might occur during instal-
lation, including, without limitation,
the risk of electric shock.
Before installing modules, contact
the appropriate authorities to deter-
mine 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.
Both roof construction and module
installation design have an effect on
the fire resistance of a building.
Improper installation may contrib-
ute to fire hazards. Additional de-
vices such as ground fault, fuses,
and disconnects may be required.
For a non-integral module or panel,
the assembly is to be mounted over
a fire resistant roof covering rated
for the application.
For modules mounted on roofs,
special construction or structures
may be required to help provide
proper installation support.
Do not install the module where
flammable gases or vapors are pre-
sent.
Do not use modules of different
specifications in the same system.
Follow all safety precautions of
other system components used.
In some areas, local electrical codes
may govern the installation and use
of modules.
To avoid the hazard of electric shock,
sparks, fire and injury
The modules generate DC electrical
energy when exposed to sunlight or
other light sources, so cover the
entire front surface of the modules
with a dense, opaque material such
as a cardboard box, during installa-
tion and handling of the modules.
The shock hazard increases as mod-
ules are connected in parallel, pro-
ducing higher current, and as mod-
ules are connected in series, produc-
ing higher voltages.
The shock hazard increases as mod-
ules with nominal open-circuit volt-
age (Voc) in excess of 50 V, and/or
modules rated for maximum system
voltage in excess of 50 V.
Wear suitable clothing, gloves and
guards to prevent from direct con-
tact with 30 VDC or greater.
Work only in dry conditions, with
dry modules and dry tools.
Children and unauthorized persons
should not be allowed near the
installation of modules.
Do not puncture or damage the
back sheet of a module.
Do not disassemble the module, or
remove any parts installed by the
manufacturer.
Do not open a junction box's lid.
Do not touch the junction box termi-
nals.
Do not change the wiring of bypass
diodes.
Do not connect or disconnect termi-
nals while modules generate elec-
tricity and connect electrical load.
Never leave a module unsupported
or unsecured.
To avoid the hazard of injury, burn and
damage to the module
Use a module for its intended pur-
pose only.
Be sure that all other system compo-
nents are compatible, and they do
not subject the module to mechani-
cal or electrical hazards.
Do not artificially concentrate sun-
light on a module.
Do not stand or step on a module.
When carrying a module, two or
more people should carry it by its
frame and wear non-slip gloves.
Do not carry a module by its wires or
junction box.
Do not drop a module.
Do not drop anything on the surface
of a module.
Do not hit the back sheet of a mod-
ule by the connector or other
things.
Do not disassemble a module, at-
tempt 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.
Do not treat the back sheet or front
surface with paint or adhesives.
Do not use or install broken mod-
ules.
Do not touch a module unnecessari-
ly. The glass surface and frames get
hot.
2
MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
Mount Locations and Load Resistance
L1 0 230 230 -
L2 450 380 345 -
S1 - - - 0
S2 - - - 250
50 psf
(2400 Pa)
112 psf
(5400 Pa)
112 psf
(5400 Pa)
50 psf
(2400 Pa)
50 psf
(2400 Pa)
91 psf
(4400 Pa)
112 psf
(5400 Pa)
50 psf
(2400 Pa)
Load Resistance (Positive Load)
Load Resistance (Negative Load)
Mounting location range
Module specifications are shown in
Table 1 and Figure 1. (Electrical
specifications, mechanical specifica-
tions, module dimensions)
1) Rated electrical characteristics are
within the range of –5% to +10% of
the values measured at Standard
Test Conditions (STC). STC condi-
tions are; Irradiance of 1000W/m2,
25°C cell temperature, AM1.5 and
solar spectral irradiance per IEC
60904-3. Note: At the time of ship-
ment, Panasonic guarantees the
output level of its modules to be -0/
+10% against Rated Power in SPECI-
FICATIONS based on factory inspec-
tion at STC conditions.
2) Under real conditions, a photovolta-
ic module may experience condi-
tions that produce more current
and/or voltage than reported at
Standard Test Conditions. There-
fore, the Isc value of modules
should be multiplied by a factor of
1.25 to determine ampacity. An
additional factor of 1.25 may be
required for sizing conductors, fus-
es, disconnects, etc. Please refer to
section 690.8 of the National Electric
Code (NEC) for guidelines. The Voc
must be factored according to the
lowest recorded ambient tempera-
ture recorded for the location
where the modules will be installed.
Please refer to section 690.7 of the
NEC for more information regarding
voltage temperature factors.
MECHANICAL LOADING
The modules should be mounted at
the four (4) quarter points by the
means shown in Figure 1.
This method offers a maximum load
shown as “Mount Location and
Load Resistance” in Figure 1 in a
static state on the module surface.
Note: This mechanical loading value
was tested using the mounting de-
vice specified in section “MODULE
INSTALLATION”
As UL Certified Load Ratings, this
module meets design loads as be-
low.
1) Positive load with Long frame
mounting
・ 33 psf (0-450mm range from edge
･ 75 psf (230-380mm range from edge)
2) Negative load with Long frame
mounting
･ 33 psf (0-450mm range from edge
･ 61 psf(230-380mm range from edge)
･ 75 psf (230-345mm range from edge)
3) Positive load with Short frame
mounting
･ 33 psf (0-250mm range from edge)
4) Negative load with Short frame
mounting
･ 33 psf (0-250mm range from edge)
Note) Load Resistance shown above is UL Test-Load.
Design load is a value obtained by multiplying the above value by
two thirds.
Side
Front
Note) A module is installed using 4 points, symmetrical mounting within setting range (shaded).
Setting range parameters are shown in “Mount Locations and Load Resistance” table.
Dimension in mm
Backside
Figure 1. Module Dimension
3
Table 1. Model Specifications
Electrical Specifications
Model
Cell Number in Series
Rated Power, Watts (Pmax)
VBHN330SA17 VBHN325SA17 VBHN325KA03 VBHN320KA03
96 96 96 96
330 325 325 320
58.0 57.6 59.2 58.7
Maximum Power Voltage
5.70 5.65 5.50 5.46
Maximum Power Current
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)
Short Circuit Current (Isc)
Cell Type
Maximum System Voltage
69.7 69.6 70.9 70.5
6.07 6.03 5.94 5.89
Silicon hetero-
junction*
600 600 600 600
Silicon hetero-
junction*
Silicon hetero-
junction*
Silicon hetero-
junction*
Factory Installed Bypass
Diodes
Maximum series fuse (A)
4 4 4 4
15 15 15 15
Silicon hetero-junction*: Monocrysttaline silicon/amorphous silicon hetero-junction
Mechanical Specifications
Length, mm (inches)
Width, mm (inches) 1053 (41.46)
Frame Depth, mm (inches) 40 (1.57)
Weight, kg (pounds) 19 (41.89)
1590 (62.60)
4
STANDARDS
VBHNxxxSA and VBHNxxxKA series com-
ply with the requirements of UL1703.
ing connector for series and string
connections. Always use these con-
nectors and do not detach them
from cables.
ules and must be purchased sepa-
rately.
BYPASS DIODE
FIRE CLASS OF PRODUCT
The fire rating of this module is valid
only when mounted in the manner
specified in the mechanical mounting instructions.
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.
JUNCTION BOX AND TERMINALS
Modules equipped with one junc-
tion box contain terminals for both
positive and negative polarity, and
bypass diodes.
Each terminal is dedicated to one
polarity (with the polarity symbols
engraved onto the body of the junc-
tion box) (see Figure 2).
Each terminal is provided with facto-
ry installed lead cables and a latch-
The PV module comes pre-wired.
Each module has two #12 AWG type
PV-wire stranded sunlight resistant
output cables each terminated with
connectors. The positive (+) terminal
has a male connector while the neg-
ative (-) terminal has a female con-
nector. The module wiring is solely
for series connections only, i.e. male
(+) to female (-) interconnections.
When making field wiring connec-
tions to the preattached connectors
use only approved connectors from
Table.2.
Latching connectors are type IV and
made by STAUBLI ELECTRICAL CON-
NECTORS AG. Supplied connectors
listed by UL.
In order to comply with NEC 2008, a
locking sleeve needs to be used with
all connectors that are exposed.
The locking sleeve (PV-SSH4) is
made by STAUBLI and can only be
released with a special tool also
made by STAUBLI (PV-MS). Locking
sleeves are not supplied with mod-
When the modules in series strings
are shaded partially, it may cause
reverse voltage across cells or mod-
ules, because the current from other
cells in the same series is forced to
flow through the shaded area. This
may cause undesirable heating to
occur.
The use of a diode to bypass the
shaded area can minimize both
heating and array current reduction.
All modules are equipped with fac-
tory installed bypass diodes. The
factory installed diodes provide
proper circuit protection for the
systems within the specified system
voltage, so that you do not need
any other additional bypass diodes.
Specifications of bypass diode for
VBHNxxxSA and VBHNxxxKA mod-
ules are as follows; Type: Number of
bypass diode: 4 diodes, Number of
series cells per bypass diode: 24
cells / diode (See Figure 3).
Positive ( + ) Negative ( - )
Figure 2. Junction Box
Cable
Connector
Option:
Safety lock
Negative ( - ) Positive ( + )
Figure 2. Connectors
24 cells /
24 cells /
24 cells /
24 cells /
Figure 3. Number of series cells per bypass diode
Table.2 Approved connectors list
Manufacturer STAUBLI ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AG
Contact Information http://ec.staubli.com
Model #
PV-KST4, PV-KBT4 followed by /2.5 or /6, followed by "I" or "II", followed by
-UR. or - may be followed by additional suffixes, may be followed by suffix
numbers and letters.
PV-PLS-S, PV-PLS-B, may be followed by suffix numbers and letters, may be
followed by suffix numbers and letters.
Male PV connectors,
PV-KST4-EVO2/2.5, 6 or 10, followed by I, II, III or IV, followed by -UR.
Female PV connectors,
PV-KBT4-EVO2/2.5, 6 or 10, followed by I, II, III or IV, followed by –UR
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