General Installation Manual
© 2009 January, Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved 1/1/09
General Installation Manual for SANYO
HIT© Double Photovoltaic Modules.
Please read this manual completely
before installation or use of HIT Double
modules. This manual applies to the
following products:
HIT Double 200 (HIP-200DA3)
HIT Double 195 (HIP-195DA3)
HIT Double 190 (HIP-190DA3)
HIT Double 186 (HIP-186DA3)
HIT Double 180 (HIP-180DA3)
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing SANYO HIT©
Double PV modules. With proper operation
and maintenance, SANYO 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.
Disclaimer of Liability
SANYO does not assume responsibility and
expressly disclaims liability for loss,
damage, or expense arising out of, or in
any way connected with installation,
operation, use, or maintenance by using
this manual.
SANYO assumes no responsibility for any
infringement of patents or other rights of
third parties, which may result from use of
modules.
No license is granted by implication or
under any patent or patent rights. The
information in this manual is believed to be
reliable, but does not constitute an
expressed and/or implied warranty.
SANYO reserves the right to make changes
to the product, specifications, or this
manual without prior notice.
The return of any modules will not be
accepted by SANYO unless prior written
authorization has been given by SANYO.
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/or maintain the
photovoltaic module. PV modules
generate DC electrical energy when
exposed to sunlight or other light
sources. Contact with electrically active
parts of the module such as terminals
1
can result in burns, sparks, and lethal
shock whether the module is connected
or disconnected.
The shock hazard increases as modules
are connected in parallel, producing
higher current, and as modules are
connected in series, producing higher
voltage.
The installer assumes the risk of all
personal injury or property damage that
might occur during installation and
handling of modules.
To avoid injury or damage:
• Cover the entire front and back
surface of the bifacial modules with
a dense, opaque material such as a
cardboard box or heavy cloth.
• Work only in dry conditions, with
dry modules and tools.
• Do not stand or step on a module.
• Do not drop a module.
• Do not break the glass surfaces of a
module.
• Do not allow children and
unauthorized persons near the
installation site or storage area of
modules.
• Completely ground all modules
according to applicable electric
codes.
• Do not disassemble the module, or
remove any part installed by the
manufacturer.
• Do not open the cover of the
junction box.
• Wear suitable protection (gloves,
clothes, etc.) to prevent direct
contact with 30V DC or greater.
• Carry a module by its’ frame with
two or more people.
• Do not carry a module by its wires
or junction box.
• Wear non-slip gloves.
• Do not drop or place heavy items on
the surfaces of a module (such as
tools).
• Check that all other system
components (inverters, wires, racks,
balance of system materials, etc.)
are mechanically and electrically
compatible.
• Do not install the module where
flammable gases or vapors are
present.
• Never leave a module unsupported
or unsecured.
• Do not use or install broken
modules.
• Do not artificially concentrate
sunlight on a module by mirror,
Fresnel lens, magnification, etc.
• Do not touch the junction box
terminals.
• Do not change the wiring of bypass
diodes.
CAUTIONS
• Use a module for its intended
purpose only.
• Do not treat any portion of the
module with paint or adhesives, to
avoid damage to the module,
inoperable conditions, or reducing
the module’s functionality.
• HIT Double modules have bifacial
performance. These modules
produce power from both surfaces
of the module at the same time and
may generate up to 30% more
output power than its’ STC rated
value. Refer to Figure 5 for these
output electrical characteristics.
• This additional power depends upon
the level of incident light irradiance
(albedo) available to the back side of
the module, and can be increased or
decreased depending upon site
characteristics, installation design,
weather, etc.
• Treat the back side of the module
the same as the front side and avoid
objects that directly shade the solar
cells. Refer to “Notes on
installation” section.
GENERAL SAFETY
Follow all permission, installation and
inspection requirements.
• Before installing modules, contact the
appropriate authorities to determine
permissions, installation and inspection
requirements that apply to your site
and installation.
• 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.
• Check applicable building codes to
ensure that the construction or
structure (roof, facade, support, 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
General Installation Manual
© 2009 January, Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved 1/1/09
as ground faults, fuses, and
disconnects may be required.
• Do not use modules of different
specifications in the same series string.
• Do not use modules of different
specifications in parallel.
• Check and follow all safety precautions
of other system components used.
UL Listing Information
To satisfy UL standard 1703 requirements,
when installing modules, be sure to:
• Use only stranded or solid copper
single–conductor type UF cable or
USE cable, rated sunlight resistant, for
modules and interconnect wiring that is
exposed to weather.
• Observe the requirements described in
sections labeled INSTALLTION and
SPECIFICATIONS.
INSTALLATION
General
Please read this guide completely before
installation or use of the modules. This
section contains electrical and mechanical
specifications needed before using your
SANYO PV modules.
• 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.
• Install modules where they are not
shaded by obstacles like buildings and
trees. Especially pay attention to avoid
partially shading modules by objects
during the daytime.
• Modules are water resistant, but not
waterproof. Moisture may leak through
where the frame and glass connect.
• Please contact your SANYO
Authorized Representative with
questions regarding mounting profiles
for modules if needed.
Notes on Installation
• Clearance between the roof surface
and module frame is required to allow
cooling air to circulate under the back
side 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 as freely as possible.
• Leave 4 inches of clearance between
the roof and the module frame.
• SANYO recommends (but does not
require) the installation method and
mounting profile shown in Figure 1.
• A module should be attached on a
mount or support structure rail by metal
fittings (Size: 27x27x14mm, Material;
SUS304 or NSSC180). The metal
fitting must meet the following
specifications. Size: not less than 1.06’’
(27mm) width
Thickness: not less than 0.12’’ (3 mm)
Material: Stainless steel
• Bolting torque must be more than 8N.m.
The following information is provided to
help customers obtain good performance
without exceeding a module’s operating
conditions or warranty parameters.
• Do not artificially concentrate sunlight
on a module by mirror, Fresnel lens,
magnification, etc.
• The surface upon which modules are
installed is recommended to be flat, to
prevent artificially concentrated
sunlight.
• Additional output power from the back
face of the panel can be increased or
decreased depending upon angles of
installation, height from surfaces,
shade from structures or rails, and the
This referential figure is for HIT Double
(HIP-xxxDA3) modules
Metal fitting
Metal fitting
M6 Nut
Spring washer
Flat washer
Metal fitting
M6 Bolt/setscrew
places
Mounting
Structure Rail
End of Module
albedo of surrounding surfaces.
• Please see Figure 5 for the effect of
angles of installation on output power.
• The height of a module above a
surface affects the power potential of
the module’s back face.
• When possible, maximize the height of
modules above surfaces in order to
maximize ambient light beneath the
modules.
• Always position support structures and
rails along the edges of a module, or
between modules, and do not allow
rails to shade a module’s back surface.
• Light colored surfaces reflect more light
than dark colored surfaces. Installing
HIT Double modules over light colored
surfaces will increase the output power
potential from the back side.
Operating Conditions
SANYO requires that modules be operated
within the following conditions:
1) Terrestrial applications only—no outer
space use.
2) The ambient temperature must be
within –20°C (-4°F) to 46°C (115°F).
Solar Module
Solar Module
Mounting
Structure Rail
Mounting Structure Rail
Module
Mounting Structure Rail
Between Modules
Figure 1. Installation
2