Solar Lattice

Architecture

Rooftop PV

ID
arch:rooftop-pv
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/arch/rooftop-pv
Status
active
Also known as
roof-mounted PV, rooftop, roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels, Rooftop Solar PV Panel Systems, rooftop grid-connected system
Category
Plant type

A rooftop PV system mounts PV modules on a building roof. The modules are wired in series into strings, the strings are joined in a combiner box to form an array, and an inverter converts the DC to AC, which is fed to the grid or used on site. Typical sites are the roofs of warehouses and similar buildings that have little rooftop equipment to shade the panels. Aisles are often left within or between arrays so staff can reach rooftop equipment for maintenance and firefighting, and so other equipment or higher roofs do not shade the panels. Commercial rooftop systems commonly use three-phase grid-tied string inverters, such as the Huawei SUN2000 and Solectria PVI series, together with AC distribution units and sometimes an isolation transformer. The Solectria grid-following inverters are not intended for microgrid or off-grid use, and the manufacturer does not support AC-coupled storage integration. The FM Global data sheet on roof-mounted PV covers wind, arrays fastened to standing seam roofs, exterior fire spread and flexible PV installations.

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