SAFETY, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL - Global Energy

AVANCIS POWERMAX ® PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULESSAFETY, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUALFire Safety• Follow the local guidelines and requirementsfor fire safety.• The installation of a PV system on abuild ing may affect fire safety of thebuilding.• For roof application, the PV systemmust be mounted over a fire-resistantroof covering rated for the application.• Do not install or use PowerMax ® modulesnear hazardous locations whereflam mable gases or vapors can be generatedor collected.• PowerMax ® modules mounted onbuild ings will most likely continue toproduce hazardous DC voltage in caseof a fire, even in the following cases:• low-Light intensity• disconnected line between PV modulesand inverter• partly or entirely damaged modules• damaged DC cabling• Stay away from the PV sytem duringand after a fire.• Inform the fire brigade about the particularhazards from the PV system.• After the fire, have your installer bringthe PV system in a safe mode.Mechanical Installation• Install PowerMax ® modules at a minimumtilt angle of 10 degrees in orderto prevent any accumulation of water,dirt and other substances. Landscapemounting of the modules is allowed. Incase of portrait mount ing, the modulelabel on the backside should be at thehigher end of the PowerMax ® module.• PowerMax ® modules must be securelyfastened using support frames ormount ing kits specialised for PV applicationsand designed for local maximumwind and snow loads. Follow theinstructions from the applicable suppliers.• Ensure PowerMax ® modules are notsubjected to wind or snow loads in excessof the maximum permissible loadsas specified on the applicable Power-Max ® Product Information literature.• Ensure PowerMax ® modules are not subjectedto excessive forces due to thermalexpansion of the support structure.• During installation and operation, thesupport structure must not cause excessivebending or twisting of the Power-Max ® module.• Provide adequate rear ventilation undera PowerMax ® module for cooling anddissipation of condensation or moisture(5 cm/2 inch air-gap minimum).• Clearance of 0.7 cm/0.28 inches ormore between PowerMax ® modules isrequired to allow for thermal expansionof the PowerMax ® modules.• Always keep the back surface of thePowerMax ® module free from any foreignobjects or structural elementswhich could come into contact with themodule and damage it.• Make sure that the dewatering holes inthe frame and crossbar (located at thePowerMax ® module backside betweenthe two long frame parts) are notblocked in order to allow water todrain.• Do not drill any additional holes in theframe or crossbar, and do not increasethe diameter of pre-drilled holes. Doingso could compromise the mechanicalinteg rity of the PowerMax ® moduleand/or cause electrical hazards.• AVANCIS requires that its PowerMax ®modules are mounted using the fourpoints locat ed on the long frame parts(also see the drawings on the right):Electrical Installation• PV modules of different configurationsand different nominal power ratingsmust not be used in the same PV array.• PowerMax ® modules are factoryequippedwith electrical cables and connectorsfor easy interconnection in series.• User-supplied electrical cable extensionsmight be required for landscape mountingof the PowerMax ® modules.• Use applicable system wiring with suitablecross-sectional areas and connectorsthat are approved for use at thelimiting reverse current (I r) of the PowerMax® module.• Match the polarities of electrical cablesand terminals when making the connections;failure to do so may result indamage to the PowerMax ® module.• Make sure that the PV system has appropiatelightning and over-voltage protectionand follow any applicable regulations(including those from insurancecompanies).• Ensure that all electrical connections aresecure and tight.• A bypass-diode is integrated in one ofthe two PowerMax ® module junctionboxes. This diode is not user-replaceable.The junction box must not beopened in the field.• The maximum number of PowerMax ®modules being connected in series mustbe calculated in line with the applicableregulations in such a way that the specifiedmaximum system voltage (V sys) ofthe PowerMax ® module and all otherelectrical DC components will not beexceeded in open-circuit operation.• Not more than two PowerMax ® modulesor module strings should be connectedin parallel without using appropriatestring current protection.• PowerMax ® modules with a suspectedelectrical problem should be returned toAVANCIS for inspection and subsequentactions as described in theAVANCIS LIMITED WARRANTY FOR PV-MODULE(S).Underwriters Laboratory Information:• Refer to section 690-8 of the NationalElectric Code (NEC) for an additionalmultiplying factor of 125 % (80 %derating) which may be applicable.• Under normal conditions, PowerMax ®modules are likely to experience conditionsthat produce more currentand/or voltage than reported at StandardTest Conditions. Accordingly, thevalues for I sc and V oc marked on thismodule should be multiplied by a factorof 1.47 when determining componentvoltage ratings, conductor capacities,fuse sizes and the size ofcontrols connected to the PV output.12©2010 | AVANCIS GmbH & Co. KG | Solarstrasse 3 | 04860 Torgau | Germany | E-mail: service@avancis.de | www.avancis.de | July 2010