What is PD IEC TS 62738- Ground-mounted photovoltaic PV power plants about?
PD IEC TS 62738 specifies general guidelines and recommendations for the design and installation of ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) power plants.
A PV power plant is covered within PD IEC TS 62738 as a grid-connected, ground-mounted system comprising multiple PV arrays and interconnected directly to a utility’s medium voltage or high voltage grid.
Technical areas addressed in PD IEC TS 62738 are those that largely distinguish PV power plants from smaller, more conventional installations, including ground-mounted array configurations, cable routing methods, cable selection, overcurrent protection strategies, equipotential bonding over large geographical areas, and equipment considerations.
Note: Rooftop-mounted systems, building integrated PV (BIPV) and building applied PV (BAPV) are not included in the scope of this document. The principles of restricted-access power plants are not compatible with systems on buildings, which are used for purposes other than power generation.
Who is PD IEC TS 62738- Ground-mounted photovoltaic PV power plants for?
PD IEC TS 62738 on ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants is useful to:
- Ground-mounted PV power system manufacturers
- Power transformer manufacturers
- Electric power plants
- Utility grids
- PV module manufacturers
- Entities involved in solar energy engineering
Why should you use PD IEC TS 62738- Ground-mounted photovoltaic PV power plants?
A grid-connected ground-mounted photovoltaic power system is an electricity generating solar PV plant that is connected to the utility grid. Hence its design requirements are different as compared to the traditional photovoltaic power system.
PD IEC TS 62738 sets out general guidelines and recommendations for the design and installation of utility scale ground-mounted PV power plants. The focus is largely on design aspects that differ from those of conventional residential and commercial PV systems. Power plants are a significant and growing component of the PV market, yet design methodologies range considerably, partly due to the fact that systems are not accessible to the public or non-qualified personnel. Overall guidelines are still needed to ensure safe, reliable, and productive systems.
With PD IEC TS 62738, you can ensure the safety of ground-mounted photovoltaic power system because it establishes the criteria for PV power plants to be restricted from access by non-qualified persons and is continuously monitored for safety and protection, either by on-site personnel or by active remote monitoring.
