Photovoltaic panel bracket requirements and standards

What are the standards for photovoltaics?

There are numerous national and international bodies that set standards for photovoltaics. There are standards for nearly every stage of the PV life cycle, including materials and processes used in the production of PV panels, testing methodologies, performance standards, and design and installation guidelines.

What are PV standards?

The standards series has been recognized by the World Bank and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Such standards also serve as the basis for testing and certification of components, devices, and systems. Two of the IEC Conformity Assessment Systems deal with PV parts, systems and installations.

What should be included in a PV mounting system?

PV mounting systems and devices: Devices and systems used for mounting PV modules that are also used to provide grounding of the module frames should be identified for the purpose of grounding solar panels. Adjacent modules: Devices identified and listed for bonding the metal frames of PV modules can bond one panel to an adjacent one.

What information should be provided to a solar installer?

Guidance shall be given on compatible solar panels and roof mounting systems. The information provided to the installer should clearly indicate how the product is installed with different solar panels and roof types including the type and number of fixings and maximum recommended spacing of brackets/rails.

What should be included in a solar panel design guide?

For products that can be used with a variety of different solar panels these instructions should clearly describe the array design constraints (e.g., maximum panel size, maximum panel area, fixings per m2 etc) that need to be met in order to achieve the stated wind load result.

What are the safety standards for solar tracking equipment?

Additional solar tracking safety standards include IEC 60204-1, Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment of machines, and IEC 61010-1 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use. The following standards apply to electrical and electronic equipment in select industrial locations: