Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • SPW State News Hub
      • IRA coverage
      • Solar tariffs
      • U.S. manufacturing updates
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractor’s Corner
      • Trends in Solar
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Policy
    • The Solar Policy Scoop
    • IRA Coverage
  • Markets
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Community Solar
    • Utility
  • Products
    • Winners of SPW’s 2024 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Electric Vehicle (EV)
    • Inverters
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
    • Racking and Mounting
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
    • Solar Classrooms
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Install tip: Install MLPE to comply with rapid shutdown requirements

By SPW | March 26, 2019

Share

This installation tip was provided by Tiffany Douglass, director of marketing at Tigo Energy

Module-level power electronics (MLPE) are the perfect solution for complying with NEC rapid shutdown requirements. First, MLPE are capable of meeting both NEC 2014 and new NEC 2017 rapid shutdown codes. As of January 1, 2019, NEC 2017 requires that rooftop PV systems’ conductors within an array’s 1-ft boundary must be reduced to 80 V or less within 30 seconds of rapid shutdown initiation. This update calls for module-level rapid shutdown of solar systems instead of NEC 2014’s array-level shutdown requirement.

MLPE add-on/retrofit models or module-integrated “smart modules” are ideal for meeting NEC 2017 as string-level shutdown solutions alone are not sufficient to limit voltage within the 1-ft array boundary. Integrated smart modules reduce installation time for meeting NEC requirements. Plus, with the ability to add functionality, such as module-level monitoring, to reduce maintenance time and optimization to increase energy yields, MLPE bring the option of adding more features as needed.

When installed according to manufacturer guidelines, the standard practice of shutting down AC power to PV systems prior to safety and maintenance activity on arrays does not change with MLPE. When MLPE equipment and inverters receive AC power from the same breaker and that breaker is shut down, MLPE drop the outputs of all module leads to ensure the array remains below code-specified voltage limits within 30 seconds. In addition to this automatic shutdown function under AC loss, some MLPE also provide manual activation of rapid shutdown features specifically for maintenance purposes.

With the latest NEC compliance, manual and automatic shutdown activation and additional features, rapid-shutdown-compliant MLPE can greatly increase peace of mind and ease for safety personnel, solar system owners and installers alike.

Comments

  1. Chris says

    September 1, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    I need to retrofit my system: to NEC 2017
    Can I add rapid module shut down?

    I currently have have 38 of model: JAP6-72-285 JA Brand solar panel. AND SMA SunnyBoy model: SB 10000TLUS-12 AND Tyco Electric Solar Distribution Boxes 1000V 20A

    Reply

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

Related Articles Read More >

Weidmuller to make PV combiner boxes at new Virginia production facility
114-MWh Energy Vault BESS project now online in Texas
RETC solar module testing report finds 12 high-achieving brands
Avery Dennison unveils US-made bonding tape for solar panel manufacturing
Solar Power World Digital Edition
Check in with the nation's leading solar construction magazine today.
 
“the-informed-solar-installer”
“solar
“spw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Solar Power Professionals.

Contractor’s Corner Podcast

“solar
Solar Power World
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar Articles
  • Windpower Engineering & Development
  • Leadership
  • About/Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • WTWH Media

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • SPW State News Hub
      • IRA coverage
      • Solar tariffs
      • U.S. manufacturing updates
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractor’s Corner
      • Trends in Solar
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Policy
    • The Solar Policy Scoop
    • IRA Coverage
  • Markets
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Community Solar
    • Utility
  • Products
    • Winners of SPW’s 2024 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Electric Vehicle (EV)
    • Inverters
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
    • Racking and Mounting
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
    • Solar Classrooms
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe