Solar Power-Through Least Cost Route

Part-I Sharing What You Already Know About PV Power

Solar Energy
Light & Radiant Heat From the Sun that Influences Climate & Weather Naturally Replenished - Renewable Energy Source Also Referred to as Solar Power Or Photovoltaic (PV) Solar: Electricity Generated From Solar Radiation

Types of Solar PV Systems

Grid Interconnected
Power from the Solar System is Added to the Normal Home Power Supply Supplied by the Utility Company

Types of Solar PV Systems

System Components

Types of Solar PV Systems

System Components
Roof Mounted Photovoltaic (PV) Panels DC Energy AC Energy Inverter Solar Junction Box Electric Meter

Grid Inter-Tied with Battery Backup

System - Similar to Previous System with the Addition of a Battery Bank to Store Power Generated from Solar Panels

Types of Solar PV Systems

Grid Inter-Tied with Battery Backup

Types of Solar PV Systems

How Solar PV Systems Work

Panels Contain PV Cells Made of Semiconductive Materials Such as Silicon The Cells Form Layers/ Wafers & Contain a Positive Side & Negative Side

How Solar PV Systems Work

Photovoltaic Panels
Photo Means Light Voltaic Means Electricity

Also Commonly Referred to as PV Panels

How Solar PV Systems Work

Electric Conductors Attached to Panel Sides Form Electric Circuit Sunlight Energy Excites Electrons & Knock Them Loose Conductors Capture Energy Creating an Electrical Current

How Solar PV Systems Works

Direct Current Electrical Energy is Produced
Power Is Combined in a Combiner Box Or Combination Box & Sent to Inverter

How Solar PV Systems Works

Inverter: Changes DC to AC
Information such as Power Level, Energy Production, & Fault Messages can Usually be Observed Here

Combiner Box

How Solar PV Systems Works

How Solar PV Systems Works

Combiner Box

Conduit to Inverter
Note: Always Consider This HOT

How Solar PV Systems Works

Alternating Current (AC) is Distributed to House Service Panel for Use. Excess Power is Transported Back Through the Utility Meter
How Solar PV Systems Works

Solar Panel Mounting Systems

Mounting Bolts

Solar Panel Mounting Systems

Grid Tracks

Flat Roof Mounting Systems

Weighted or Ballasted System

Flat Roof Mounting Systems

Bolted Through or Anchored System

Integrated Roof Systems

Virtually impossible to tell from the ground. This is why preplanning is so important.

Preplanning is Essential
Some Systems Unidentifiable from Street

Preplanning is Essential
Systems Differ

Preplanning is Essential
Disconnect Locations Vary

PV Hazards
Shock Hazards Batteries

Roof Collapse
Trip hazards

Roof Ventilation

Shock
Primary Firefighter Danger Maximum Voltage Of A Solar Panel System: 600 Volts (Low Voltage)
Note: Nearly 300 workers die yearly from low voltage electrical incidents PV Hazards

Shock
Momentary Contact With Low DC Voltages May Produce: Continuous Shock Thermal Injury Ventricular Fibrillation
Note: Unlike fire, which produces burns in a relatively predictable manner, electricity can strike unsuspecting victims sometimes fatally! PV Hazards

Inhalation
Protect Yourselves Use Your SCBA

PV Hazards

Batteries
As a Rule, Batteries Burn with Great Difficulty

Batteries Exposed to Fire Generate Extremely Corrosive Fumes & Gases

Note: NEVER USE WATER to Extinguish lead-acid battery fires - Use CO2 or Dry Chemical PV Hazards

Roof Collapse
Approx. Weights
PV Panel 35 lbs
Normal Dwelling - 40

Panels 35# Each

Modules & Racking Hardware 4 lbs/ft2

1,400 Pounds
Total Added Dead Load to Roof System

PV Hazards

Other Hazards
Trip Hazards

PV Hazards

Electrical Hazards
PV Wiring Harness is CONSIDERED ALWAYS HOT

PV Hazards

Roof Operations Hazards

During Daytime Firefighting Operations PV Panels Are Still Generating Electricity

Do Not Cut Into Or Walk Across Panels

Do Not Break Protective Glass All Energy In Entire System Could Be Released At Break Point

PV Hazards

Roof Ventilation
Ventilate The Highest Point Over The Fire Without Cutting Through The PV Array (other side of the roof) Flat Roofs With Complete PV Coverage Horizontal With Supplemental Hydraulic & Positive Pressure Ventilation
PV Hazards

Firefighting Operations
The IC Must Notify Firefighters of the Presence of Solar Arrays

Firefighting Operations
Lock & Tag Out Array at Inverter DC Disconnect Main Electrical Panel

Firefighting Operations
PV Array Fire
Use Class C Extinguishing AgentsCO2 Or Dry Chemical
CAUTION: SYSTEM IS ENERGIZED

Firefighting Operations
Roof Fire
Use Water Fog Pattern on the PV Array
CAUTION: SYSTEM IS ENERGIZED

Remember

Treat All Systems as Energized Regardless of Time of Day

Remember
You Cannot Effectively Block All The Sunlight With Salvage Covers, Foam, or Tarps During Day Time Operations and Declare The PV System Safe

Remember
Use of spotlights during an evening operation may be bright enough to generate electricity from the PV system

PV Technology Advancements
PV Integrated Shingles

Summary
Know Where Buildings With PV Systems Are Located In You District. Preplan Preplan Preplan Treat PV System Components As Always Energized Adjust Your Firefighting Tactics Accordingly Additional Information:
www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Research/FFTacticsSolarPower.pdf

Remember
The Systems, Drawings and Pictures depicted in this Presentation are used for discussion purposes only. PV Systems and their Components vary in design, and appearance. It is imperative that Your Department become familiar with the systems installed in your community.

Coordination between your Fire Department and your municipalities' Building and Fire Code Officials is Essential to identifying and understanding the PV Systems installed in your Community!

Types of Solar PV Systems

Grid Interconnected
Power from the Solar System is Added to the Normal Home Power Supply Supplied by the Utility Company

Types of Solar PV Systems

System Components

Types of Solar PV Systems

System Components
Roof Mounted Photovoltaic (PV) Panels DC Energy AC Energy Inverter Solar Junction Box Electric Meter

Grid Inter-Tied with Battery Backup

System - Similar to Previous System with the Addition of a Battery Bank to Store Power Generated from Solar Panels

Types of Solar PV Systems

Grid Inter-Tied with Battery Backup

Types of Solar PV Systems

How Solar PV Systems Work

Panels Contain PV Cells Made of Semiconductive Materials Such as Silicon The Cells Form Layers/ Wafers & Contain a Positive Side & Negative Side

How Solar PV Systems Work

Photovoltaic Panels
Photo Means Light Voltaic Means Electricity

Also Commonly Referred to as PV Panels

How Solar PV Systems Work

Electric Conductors Attached to Panel Sides Form Electric Circuit Sunlight Energy Excites Electrons & Knock Them Loose Conductors Capture Energy Creating an Electrical Current

How Solar PV Systems Works

Direct Current Electrical Energy is Produced
Power Is Combined in a Combiner Box Or Combination Box & Sent to Inverter

How Solar PV Systems Works

Inverter: Changes DC to AC
Information such as Power Level, Energy Production, & Fault Messages can Usually be Observed Here

Combiner Box

How Solar PV Systems Works

How Solar PV Systems Works

Combiner Box

Conduit to Inverter
Note: Always Consider This HOT

How Solar PV Systems Works

Alternating Current (AC) is Distributed to House Service Panel for Use. Excess Power is Transported Back Through the Utility Meter
How Solar PV Systems Works

Solar Panel Mounting Systems

Mounting Bolts

Solar Panel Mounting Systems

Grid Tracks

Flat Roof Mounting Systems

Weighted or Ballasted System

Flat Roof Mounting Systems

Bolted Through or Anchored System

Integrated Roof Systems

Virtually impossible to tell from the ground. This is why preplanning is so important.

Preplanning is Essential
Some Systems Unidentifiable from Street

Preplanning is Essential
Systems Differ

Preplanning is Essential
Disconnect Locations Vary

PV Hazards
Shock Hazards Batteries

Roof Collapse
Trip hazards

Roof Ventilation

Shock
Primary Firefighter Danger Maximum Voltage Of A Solar Panel System: 600 Volts (Low Voltage)
Note: Nearly 300 workers die yearly from low voltage electrical incidents PV Hazards

Shock
Momentary Contact With Low DC Voltages May Produce: Continuous Shock Thermal Injury Ventricular Fibrillation
Note: Unlike fire, which produces burns in a relatively predictable manner, electricity can strike unsuspecting victims sometimes fatally! PV Hazards

Inhalation
Protect Yourselves Use Your SCBA

PV Hazards

Batteries
As a Rule, Batteries Burn with Great Difficulty

Batteries Exposed to Fire Generate Extremely Corrosive Fumes & Gases

Note: NEVER USE WATER to Extinguish lead-acid battery fires - Use CO2 or Dry Chemical PV Hazards

Roof Collapse
Approx. Weights
PV Panel 35 lbs
Normal Dwelling - 40

Panels 35# Each

Modules & Racking Hardware 4 lbs/ft2

1,400 Pounds
Total Added Dead Load to Roof System

PV Hazards

Other Hazards
Trip Hazards

PV Hazards

Electrical Hazards
PV Wiring Harness is CONSIDERED ALWAYS HOT

PV Hazards

Roof Operations Hazards

During Daytime Firefighting Operations PV Panels Are Still Generating Electricity

Do Not Cut Into Or Walk Across Panels

Do Not Break Protective Glass All Energy In Entire System Could Be Released At Break Point

PV Hazards

Roof Ventilation
Ventilate The Highest Point Over The Fire Without Cutting Through The PV Array (other side of the roof) Flat Roofs With Complete PV Coverage Horizontal With Supplemental Hydraulic & Positive Pressure Ventilation
PV Hazards

Firefighting Operations
The IC Must Notify Firefighters of the Presence of Solar Arrays

Firefighting Operations
Lock & Tag Out Array at Inverter DC Disconnect Main Electrical Panel

Firefighting Operations
PV Array Fire
Use Class C Extinguishing AgentsCO2 Or Dry Chemical
CAUTION: SYSTEM IS ENERGIZED

Firefighting Operations
Roof Fire
Use Water Fog Pattern on the PV Array
CAUTION: SYSTEM IS ENERGIZED

Remember

Treat All Systems as Energized Regardless of Time of Day

Remember
You Cannot Effectively Block All The Sunlight With Salvage Covers, Foam, or Tarps During Day Time Operations and Declare The PV System Safe

Remember
Use of spotlights during an evening operation may be bright enough to generate electricity from the PV system

PV Technology Advancements
PV Integrated Shingles

Summary
Know Where Buildings With PV Systems Are Located In You District. Preplan Preplan Preplan Treat PV System Components As Always Energized Adjust Your Firefighting Tactics Accordingly Additional Information:
www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Research/FFTacticsSolarPower.pdf

Remember
The Systems, Drawings and Pictures depicted in this Presentation are used for discussion purposes only. PV Systems and their Components vary in design, and appearance. It is imperative that Your Department become familiar with the systems installed in your community.

Coordination between your Fire Department and your municipalities' Building and Fire Code Officials is Essential to identifying and understanding the PV Systems installed in your Community!