General Installation Manual
© Feb 2012, SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved
1
General Installation Manual for Panasonic HIT
®
Photovoltaic
Modules, manufactured by SANYO. Please read this manual
carefully before installing or using Panasonic modules. This
manual applies to the following HIT Power products:
HIT Power 225A (VBHN225AA01)
HIT Power 220A (VBHN220AA01)
HIT Power 215A (VBHN215AA01)
HIT Power 210A (VBHN210AA01)
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing Panasonic HIT photovoltaic (PV) modules.
With proper operation and maintenance, Panasonic HIT PV
modules will provide you with clean, renewable solar electricity for
many years. This manual contains important installation,
maintenance and safety information. The word “module” as used
in this manual refers to one or more PV modules. Retain this
manual for future reference.
Disclaimer of Liability
SANYO does not assume responsibility and expressly disclaims
liability for loss, damage, or expense arising out of, or in any way
connected with installation, operation, use, or maintenance by
using this manual.
SANYO assumes no responsibility for any infringement of patents
or other rights of third parties, which may result from use of
modules.
No license is granted by implication or under any patent or patent
rights. The information in this manual is believed to be reliable, but
does not constitute an expressed and/or implied warranty.
SANYO reserves the right to make changes to the product,
specifications, data sheets and this manual without prior notice.
General Information
The installation of solar modules requires a great degree of skill
and should only be performed by qualified licensed professionals,
including, without limitation, licensed contractors and electricians.
WARNING
•
All instructions should be read and understood before
attempting to install, wire, operate, and maintain a
photovoltaic module.
•
Contact with electrically active parts of the module such
as terminals can result in burns, sparks, and lethal shock
whether the module is connected or disconnected.
•
The installer assumes the risk of all injury that might
occur during installation, including, without limitation, the
risk of electric shock.
•
PV modules generate DC (direct current) electrical energy
when exposed to sunlight or other light sources. Even a
single module produces enough voltage and current, to
cause shocks and burns if safety precautions are not
followed.
•
The shock hazard increases as modules are connected in
parallel, producing higher current, and as modules are
connected in series, producing higher voltages.
•
To avoid the hazard of electric sparks, shock, fire, burns,
damage and injury:
•
Work only in dry conditions, with dry modules and dry
tools.
•
Do not stand or step on modules. Do not puncture, cut,
scratch or damage the backsheet of a module.
Backsheet damage will void a module’s Limited
Warranty and may cause fire.
Never use modules with a
damaged back sheet.
•
Do not allow children and unauthorized persons near
the installation or storage site of modules.
•
Completely ground all modules.
•
Do not disassemble a module, attempt any repair, open
the junction box cover, nor remove any parts installed
by Sanyo. There are no user serviceable parts within
the module or junction box.
•
Unauthorized persons - except the qualified licensed
professional - should not perform any electrical work,
including wiring,
•
Wear suitable clothing, guards, eye protection and
gloves to prevent you from direct contact with 30 VDC
or greater.
•
Wear non-slip gloves and carry modules by the frame
using both hands. Do not attempt to carry a module by
yourself.
•
Do not carry a module by its wires or junction box.
•
Do not drop anything on the surface of a module.
•
Ensure all system components are compatible, and
they do not subject the module to mechanical or
electrical hazards.
•
Sparks may occur; do not install modules where
flammable gases or vapors are present.
•
Never rest or leave a module unsupported or
unsecured.
•
Do not drop modules.
•
Do not use or install broken modules.
•
Do not artificially concentrate sunlight on a module.
•
Do not touch the junction box terminals.
•
Do not change the wiring of bypass diodes.
•
Do not touch a PV module unnecessarily. The glass
surface and frames get hot. There is a risk of burn.
CAUTIONS
•
Use a module for its intended purpose only.
•
Do not treat the back sheet, frame, or front surface with
paint or adhesives, to avoid reducing its’ functionality,
damage, and causing inoperable conditions, and other
unknown troubles.
GENERAL SAFETY
Follow all permissions, installation and inspection
requirements.
•
Before installing modules, contact the appropriate authorities
having jurisdiction to determine permissions, installation and
inspection requirements, which should be followed.
•
Electrically ground modules for all systems of any voltage. If
not otherwise specified, it is recommended that requirements
of the latest National Electrical Code (USA) or Canadian
Electric Code (Canada) or other national or international
electrical standards be followed. Refer to “Earth Ground
Wiring” section for more information.
•
Be sure that the building or structure (roof, façade, etc.) where
the modules are being installed has enough strength to
support the load of the modules.
•
For modules mounted on roofs, special structures may be
required to help provide proper installation support.
•
Both, roof construction and module installation design have an
effect on the fire resistance of a building. Improper installation
