Dr. Dickie
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2020
- Messages
- 363
I have my PV combiner box is bonded to an earth ground--8 foot rod pounded into the ground. This in turn makes the frame for the PV support structure bonded to earth ground. This is NOT bonded to the home's earth ground, as it is an isolated system--the solar charge controller is bonded to an earth ground which is a separate earth ground rod from the PV support structure earth ground, but again, it is only connected to the PV panel support structure by the positive and negative PV output--it is separate and isolated--no ground connection between the two. The inverter is bonded to the home ground system through to split phase 120V wires to the home's power panel. I think all of that is okay, if it isn't please let me know why!
Now we come to grounding the individual panels. They are not grounded to the support structure because they are anodized--so they are individual ungrounded panels.. And I see that everyone says it is important to bond all of the panels together and to a ground system. Fair enough; however, and tell me where my thinking goes astray, if the panels are separate from the support grid due to the high resistance of the anodized frames, then in the event of a lightening strike, the current would prefer the support structure which is bonded to the earth ground not the higher resistance anodized panel frames.
So, is the only reason for bonding panels together and to an earth ground just for the possibility that a broken panel may short to the support structure, and if so, then wouldn't the fact that the support structure is grounded that take care of that?
I am not against bonding all of the individual panels to ground, I just want to know why that is important.
Thanks
Now we come to grounding the individual panels. They are not grounded to the support structure because they are anodized--so they are individual ungrounded panels.. And I see that everyone says it is important to bond all of the panels together and to a ground system. Fair enough; however, and tell me where my thinking goes astray, if the panels are separate from the support grid due to the high resistance of the anodized frames, then in the event of a lightening strike, the current would prefer the support structure which is bonded to the earth ground not the higher resistance anodized panel frames.
So, is the only reason for bonding panels together and to an earth ground just for the possibility that a broken panel may short to the support structure, and if so, then wouldn't the fact that the support structure is grounded that take care of that?
I am not against bonding all of the individual panels to ground, I just want to know why that is important.
Thanks