[RE-wrenches] module / panel

[David Brearley]

People in and out of the industry misuse the term PV panel all the time. The
NEC is pretty clear that the basic building block for a PV system is a
module, the complete unit. Assemble some of these together & now you have a
panel. (This is less common now that we have 250 watt modules and not 50
watt modules.) An array is defined in the NEC as a mechanically integrated
unit; I tend to think of an array as all of the modules on site. They added
a definition for a subarray in the 2011 NEC; this is an electrical subset of
an array. 




On 2/8/11 4:49 PM, "benn kilburn" <benn at daystarsolar.ca> wrote:

> Wrenchers,
> 
> Which term do you to describe a single framed unit with either a j-box or two
> wire leads on the back, module or panel?
> Which term do you believe to be correct and why?
> 
> My interpretation is that a single framed unit is a module.  Any number of
> modules attached to a single detached 'rack' is a panel, and a group of panels
> with the same orientation or mounting location/type is an array.
> 
> If you agree with my interpretation, what are your thoughts on the widespread
> use of the term 'panel' to describe a module.
> 
> thanks,
> benn
> 
> DayStar Renewable Energy Inc.
> benn at daystarsolar.ca
> 780-906-7807 
> HAVE A SUNNY DAY 
> 
> 
> 
>        
> 
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David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor
SolarPro magazine 
NABCEP Certified PV Installer 
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