Ground mount solar, is ground wire to main panel needed?

[Mr Jimmy]

I installed a 6KW ground mount solar system. The microinverters do not require a neutral. The array is 400Ft from the main panel. I installed a ground rod at the array for bonding and grounding. The inspector wants a ground wire back to the main panel. Any suggestions on how to rectify, as is very difficult to pull 1/0 wire 400ft as trench is backfilled.

 

[Smart $]

I installed a 6KW ground mount solar system. The microinverters do not require a neutral. The array is 400Ft from the main panel. I installed a ground rod at the array for bonding and grounding. The inspector wants a ground wire back to the main panel. Any suggestions on how to rectify, as is very difficult to pull 1/0 wire 400ft as trench is backfilled.

Assuming the inverters are at the array end of the run, there is no way around running an EGC with circuit conductors.

Aside from the disappointing reply, welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

 

[stickboy1375]

http://www.youtube.com/v/qNZC782SzAQ


Enjoy?

 

[stickboy1375]

I installed a 6KW ground mount solar system. The microinverters do not require a neutral. The array is 400Ft from the main panel. I installed a ground rod at the array for bonding and grounding. The inspector wants a ground wire back to the main panel. Any suggestions on how to rectify, as is very difficult to pull 1/0 wire 400ft as trench is backfilled.

?????????.

 

[ggunn]

I installed a 6KW ground mount solar system. The microinverters do not require a neutral. The array is 400Ft from the main panel. I installed a ground rod at the array for bonding and grounding. The inspector wants a ground wire back to the main panel. Any suggestions on how to rectify, as is very difficult to pull 1/0 wire 400ft as trench is backfilled.

Your inspector is correct. Not much help now, but it is always a good idea to get your AHJ to approve your design before you install it.

 

[electrofelon]

I installed a 6KW ground mount solar system. The microinverters do not require a neutral. The array is 400Ft from the main panel. I installed a ground rod at the array for bonding and grounding. The inspector wants a ground wire back to the main panel. Any suggestions on how to rectify, as is very difficult to pull 1/0 wire 400ft as trench is backfilled.

With your installation, what do you propose will happen if you have a ground fault to the racking or poles? Make sure you watch the link posted by stickboy. Just want to make sure you understand why it must be this way not just that is must be this way....

 

[ggunn]

With your installation, what do you propose will happen if you have a ground fault to the racking or poles? Make sure you watch the link posted by stickboy. Just want to make sure you understand why it must be this way not just that is must be this way....

I don't see a link in stickboy's post, just a string of periods in white text.

 

[Smart $]

I don't see a link in stickboy's post, just a string of periods in white text.

See post #3.

 

[ggunn]

See post #3.

Thanks; obviously I didn't go back far enough in the thread.

 

[petersonra]

I installed a 6KW ground mount solar system. The microinverters do not require a neutral. The array is 400Ft from the main panel. I installed a ground rod at the array for bonding and grounding. The inspector wants a ground wire back to the main panel. Any suggestions on how to rectify, as is very difficult to pull 1/0 wire 400ft as trench is backfilled.

I think this is going to be painful and expensive to fix.

 

[ggunn]

I think this is going to be painful and expensive to fix.

I think so, too. He can't just trench and bury an ECG, can he?

 

[Smart $]

I think so, too. He can't just trench and bury an ECG, can he?

The EGC is required to be run with circuit conductors.

If he ran direct bury, I fail to see how he managed to not run an EGC... :blink:

 

[petersonra]

The EGC is required to be run with circuit conductors.

If he ran direct bury, I fail to see how he managed to not run an EGC... :blink:

the OP does not say he ran DB cable. Just that he ran 1/0. Maybe he ran two 1/0 in a PVC conduit.

I wonder how he managed to get a solar contractor license w/o realizing he needs to run an EGC. One would think that would be on the test somewhere.

although it never says he ran it in conduit either. maybe he just put the wires in the trench and backfilled.

 

[Smart $]

the OP does not say he ran DB cable. Just that he ran 1/0. Maybe he ran two 1/0 in a PVC conduit.

I was aware what the OP stated... that's why I wrote "If he ran direct bury".

However he commented that the trench was backfilled. That shouldn't matter for the pulling of wire. Should only matter if conduit is too small to add the EGC.

 

[petersonra]

I was aware what the OP stated... that's why I wrote "If he ran direct bury".

However he commented that the trench was backfilled. That shouldn't matter for the pulling of wire. Should only matter if conduit is too small to add the EGC.

I would not want to try and remove 400 foot of two 1/0 conductors that is in UG conduit so i could pull in three #1s instead.

 

[Smart $]

I would not want to try and remove 400 foot of two 1/0 conductors that is in UG conduit so i could pull in three #1s instead.

I wouldn't "want" to do it no matter what I'm pulling out or back in... :happyno:

 

[petersonra]

I wonder if the OP will come back and elaborate or whether he has fled in disgrace, never to return.

maybe we should have a new thread on each of our most expensive mistakes. never had one of this magnitude myself. guess I have been lucky.