Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar+Storage
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • Solar tariffs
      • COVID-19 News
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractors Corner
      • Installation Practices
      • Trends in Solar
      • Folsom Labs Solar Boot-Up
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Products
    • 2020 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Inverters
      • Manufacturing Locations
    • Racking and Mounting
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • Manufacturing Locations
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2018 Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Databases
      • Solar Inverter Models
      • Solar Panel Models
      • Solar Racking Models
      • Battery Storage Models
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Inverter Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Locations
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • COVID-19 NEWS

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.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

Related Articles Read More >

ICAST enlists Nikola Power modeling software for low-income multifamily housing solar + storage initiative
Construction begins on 300-MW solar, 561-MWh storage project in California
Foundations are the linchpin of proper solar carport installation
Solar FlexRack supplies single-axis trackers to Connecticut project portfolio

Stay Informed With Great Solar Power Content

Videos Podcasts Webinars Whitepapers

SPW Digital Editions

Solar Power World Digital EditionBrowse the current issue and archived issues of Solar Power World in an easy-to-use, high-quality format. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading solar construction magazine today.

Solar Policy Snapshot

Solar policy differs across state lines and regions. Click to see our monthly roundup of recent legislation and research throughout the country.

Read More >

Popular Posts See More >

Solar investment tax credit extended at 26% for two additional years
Think before trashing: The second-hand solar market is booming
The changing state of retiring solar panels
The winners and losers in U.S. solar manufacturing in 2020
Tweets by @SolarPowerWorld
Solar Power World
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar Articles
  • Top Products
  • Leadership
  • WTWH Media
  • About/Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • Windpower Engineering & Development

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar+Storage
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • Solar tariffs
      • COVID-19 News
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractors Corner
      • Installation Practices
      • Trends in Solar
      • Folsom Labs Solar Boot-Up
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Products
    • 2020 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Inverters
      • Manufacturing Locations
    • Racking and Mounting
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • Manufacturing Locations
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2018 Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Databases
      • Solar Inverter Models
      • Solar Panel Models
      • Solar Racking Models
      • Battery Storage Models
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Inverter Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Locations
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • COVID-19 NEWS