Specifications for underground burying of photovoltaic panel armor cables

Should you bury cable and wires in a ground-mount solar array?

Trenching to bury cable and wires on a large-scale, ground-mount solar array is generally easy enough. You dig a trench, lay the cable, fill the dirt back in. But trenching comes with its disadvantages. One, it’s dirty. Two, what if you hit rock? Three, those divots love to fill with water and make a muddy mess.

What is ul type PV (photovoltaic) cable?

UL Type PV (Photovoltaic) cables are used for inter-connection of solar panels as well as to the energy connection and energy conversion equipment.

What is the NEC standard for ungrounded PV systems?

This U.S. standard was developed in response to the 2005 NEC introduction of specific requirements for ungrounded PV systems in 690.35. At the time that the 2005 NEC was published, there was no relevant standard for double-insulated exposed cables in the United States.

Is PV cable ul 4703?

PV cable is similar to USE-2 but has additional insulation requirements for ultra-violet (UV) ratings and durability. PV cable is tested and listed in accordance with UL 4703, Photovoltaic Wire, which is a standard based on European standards for double-insulated cables used in European Class II wiring systems.

Should PV power plants be buried directly?

The direct burial of cables at PV power plants can be a cost-effective approach – ensuring that cabling is out of the worst weather conditions and cannot be damaged by maintenance crews or local critters. However, when the cables are not themselves fit-for-purpose, it can lead to their breaking down, potentially causing faults and fires.

Can a DC PV module be installed on a commercial roof?

PV output circuits in EMT on commercial roof In Article 690, Solar Photovoltaic Systems, single conductor cable USE-2 and PV wire are permitted to be installed in exposed locations within the array [NEC 690.31 (C) (1)]. The conductors connected directly to dc PV modules are either PV cable (marked as PV cable or PV wire) or USE-2.