2635 W. 7
th
Place, Eugene, Oregon 97402, USA
7
Valid from February 2017
www.grapesolar.com
7 Tel: 1-877-264-1014 (toll free), 1-541-349-9000, Fax: 1-541-343-9000
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES SAFETY
AND INST
ALLATION MANUAL Rev.
P
VALID IN NORTH AMERICA ONLY
III.
MODULE INSTALLATION
1.
Installation Site Selection
1.1
The site for PV module installation shall have an environment temperature within Grape Solar’s
PV module operating temperature range -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F).
1.2
The site shall allow all modules to be exposed to sunlight without obstruction all year round
(shadows generated by trees or buildings, even partial shading, on the module array will result in
reduction of PV system yield).
1.3
The site shall have adequate ventilation of the module backside to avoid heat build-up, which
can cause module performance degradation and system yield reduction. For roof mounted
systems, at least a 4 inch clearance is required between the module back surface and roof for
rear ventilation and module cooling.
1.4
The modules have been evaluated by following UL-1703 standard that can sustain a positive or
negative mechanical loading of 30 lbs/ft
2
(1600 Pascal). To avoid exceeding the 30 lbs/ft
2
mechanical loading limit, site specific loads such as wind and snow should be taken into
account.
1.5
The site should not have exposure to extremely corrosive chemicals (e.g. emissions from
manufacturing facilities).
2.
Module Orientation & Tilt Angle
2.1
To obtain maximum yield from the PV system, the direction and tilt angle for the modules shall
be set to receive the incident sunlight perpendicularly to the module surface. To avoid
performance degradation in serial connected module strings, all modules shall have the same
orientation and tilt angle.
2.2
To avoid dirt build-up on the glass against the frame edge, low module tilt angle is not
recommended. Dirt build-up on the module surface can cause partial shading and degrade
module and system electrical performance.
