Rapid shutdown options

[ggunn]

We’re designing all of our large (large to use is 50kw+, we’re a small company) using UL3741 listed assemblies (ie. PanelClaw or Unirac) without MLPE’s using either SMA or Chint inverters. We haven’t had any kickback yet from an AHJ using that method and making sure to highlight 690.12(B)(2)(1) because most plan checkers haven’t ran across it yet.

For real cost savings numbers, a 600kw rooftop project was going to cost $39,000 for MLPE’s. Add on top of that labor and logistics, which would be hard to quantify, I’d guess at least a $45,000 cost in the end.

So, is that all there is to it? Use PanelClaw or Unirac racking and put the inverter within 12" of a contiguous array with no gaps wider than 24"? I thought it was more complicated than that.

 

[BackCountry]

So, is that all there is to it? Use PanelClaw or Unirac racking and put the inverter within 12" of a contiguous array with no gaps wider than 24"? I thought it was more complicated than that.

It’s that simple. They have design manuals and you have to use all of the listed parts (down to zip ties) but it’s not that complicated versus the alternative. And now that ALL of Unirac’s products are listed, it’s way easy if you need to use rail.

Sollega and IronRidge are the same.

 

[ggunn]

It’s that simple. They have design manuals and you have to use all of the listed parts (down to zip ties) but it’s not that complicated versus the alternative. And now that ALL of Unirac’s products are listed, it’s way easy if you need to use rail.

Sollega and IronRidge are the same.

We are looking into it,; thanks!

 

[BackCountry]

We are looking into it,; thanks!

You’re welcome

 

[BackCountry]

Followup:

UNIRAC leads the industry with the largest number of racking and inverter combinations under UL 3741 Be rapid shutdown compliant with or without MLPEs. Unirac has the solution that fits your needs

UNIRAC leads the industry with the largest number of racking and inverter combinations under UL 3741

Unirac has recently achieved UL 3741 certification for its entire portfolio of racking systems. This is a major achievement, as Unirac now offers the

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

 

[pv_n00b]

I am in agreement that safety is the top priority, where I disagree is that rapid shutdown at the module level is a priority.

I would recommend having a conversation with a firefighter involved in the PV industry in code making, standards development, and training. You might be interested in talking to Matthew Paiss over on LinkedIn.
I also agree that module-level RSD is not the end-all for safety. It was an easy stopgap to put in place until UL 3741 was ready.

 

[BackCountry]

I would recommend having a conversation with a firefighter involved in the PV industry in code making, standards development, and training. You might be interested in talking to Matthew Paiss over on LinkedIn.
I also agree that module-level RSD is not the end-all for safety. It was an easy stopgap to put in place until UL 3741 was ready.

I appreciate that, I’ll look him up now.