rec Alphα SERIES Installation instructions for all REC Alpha solar panels certified according to UL 1703 & UL 61730 standards
CONTENTS CONTENTS 2 List of figures 2 INTRODUCTION 3 How to use this manual 3 Your responsibility as an installer 3 Support 3 Liability disclaimer 3 Limited warranty 3 SAFETY MEASURES 4 Safety in the working area 4 Panel handling 4 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION 5 MECHANICAL INSTALLATION 5 Fire guidelines 5 Orientation 5 Environmental factors 5 PANEL INSTALLATION 6 Rail specifications 6 Clamp specifications 6 Mounting methods: Clamping with rails parallel t
INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing REC photovoltaic panels for your installation. REC Alpha solar panels are ideal for delivering long-lasting and reliable power output. They have been created through intelligent design and are manufactured to the highest quality and environmental standards. With correct installation and maintenance, REC panels will provide clean, renewable energy for many years. Please read this entire manual carefully.
SAFETY MEASURES Installers are responsible for the safe and effective installation and operation of the system and for adhering to all applicable local and national standards and regulations. All relevant local codes and regulations should be referred to and observed as well as regulations on working at heights and fall protection. Safety in the working area i) Safety in the working area Installation of REC solar panels may involve working on rooftops or raised platforms.
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION Electrical requirements i) System Requirements REC solar panels are only for use where they meet the specific technical requirements of the complete system. Ensure other components will not cause mechanical or electrical damage to the panels. Only panels of the same type and power class should be connected. ii) String configuration When using string configuration, plan and execute it according to the inverter manufacturer’s instructions.
PANEL INSTALLATION REC solar panels are designed for capturing solar radiation and are not suitable for use as overhead or vertical glazing. The IP rating of the junction box provides a level of protection that allows panels to be mounted in any orientation (see product technical specifications for exact rating).
Mounting methods: Clamping with rails parallel to the short side REC Alpha solar panels secured by clamping to mounting rails has been found to comply with UL 1703 & UL 61730 requirements for downward pressure,e.g., snow, of up to 146 psf (7000 Pa or 4666 Pa design load*) and upward pressure,e.g., wind, of up to 55.6 psf (4000 Pa or 2666 Pa design load*) according to the instructions below (*design loads apply a safety factor of 1.5 to the stated test load, e.g., test load 7000 Pa / 1.
Mounting methods: Clamping with rails parallel to the long side REC Alpha solar panels secured by clamping to mounting rails has been found to comply with UL 1703 & UL 61730 requirements for downward pressure,e.g., snow, of up to 112 psf (5400 Pa or 3600 Pa design load*) and upward pressure,e.g., wind, of up to 50 psf (2400 Pa or1600 Pa design load*) according to the instructions below (*design loads apply a safety factor of 1.5 to the stated test load, e.g., test load 5400 Pa / 1.5 = 3600 Pa design load).
Mounting methods: Slide in systems Scale: 1:1.57 REC Alpha panels may also be installed using ‘slide-in systems’, although such systems have not been tested to UL 1703 & UL 61730 in conjunction with REC panels. Where such mounting systems are used, they must meet the same specifications including grip lengths, depths and spacing as specified for clamping and the mounting system must be able to withstand the correct load pressures.
Drainage holes Each corner of the REC panel frame has small drainage holes spaced 2.2 in (55 mm) from the corner of the panel frame that allow water caused by rain, condensation, snow melt, cleaning or any other process to exit the frame easily and minimize damage caused by freezing and thawing (fig. 9). These holes must not be used for mounting the panel, and they must not be covered by any part of the mounting structure.
CONNECTIONS AND CONNECTORS The connectors used on REC solar panels are specified in the panel characteristics at the rear of this manual. The connector IP rating is only valid when the they are correctly connected. All connectors and cables must be secure and tight as well as electrically and mechanically sound. UV-resistant cables and connectors approved for outdoor use must be used. Conductor gauge must be chosen to ensure DC power losses (voltage drop) are kept to a minimum (<1%).
MAINTENANCE Cleaning instructions REC solar panels have been designed for easy maintenance. The need for cleaning the solar panels will vary dependent on location, rainfall, air pollution levels and the angle of installation – the lower the angle of installation, the more cleaning will be required. ‘Normal’ rainfall will naturally clean the panels if installed at a sufficient angle. To optimize electrical output it is recommended to clean the panels when dirt can be seen on the glass surface.
PANEL CHARACTERISTICS Certifications Technical Properties: REC Alpha Series IEC 61215:2016, IEC 61730:2016, UL 1703, UL 61730 Fig. 12: Panel dimensions: REC Alpha Series Scale: 1:1.57 1721±2.5 [67.75 ±0.1] 28 [1.1] 455 [17.9] 802 [31.5] GR GR 1000 [39] IEC 62804 PID IEC 61701 Salt Mist IEC 62716 Ammonia Resistance UL 1703 Fire Type Class 2 IEC 62782 Dynamic Mechanical Load IEC 61215-2:2016 Hailstone (35mm) AS4040.2 NCC 2016 Cyclic Wind Load 956 [37.
Certifications Technical Properties: REC Alpha Black Series IEC 61215:2016, IEC 61730:2016, UL 1703, UL 61730 Fig. 13: Panel dimensions: REC Alpha Black Series IEC 62804 PID IEC 61701 Salt Mist IEC 62716 Ammonia Resistance UL 1703 Fire Type Class 2 IEC 62782 Dynamic Mechanical Load IEC 61215-2:2016 Hailstone (35mm) AS4040.2 NCC 2016 Cyclic Wind Load Scale: 1:1.57 1721±2.5 [67.75 ±0.1] 28 [1.1] 455 [17.9] 802 [31.5] GR GR 1000 [39] 956 [37.64] 11±0.2 [0.43 ±0.
ANNEX 1: INSTALLATIONS ON WATER PLATFORMS This section is applicable to the following products only (other panel types have not yet been qualified for installations on water platforms): • REC Alpha Series & REC Alpha Black Series The above named REC solar panels may be installed on water platform-type mounting systems (note that the certification testing of solar panels does not include testing on these types of systems). When installing any of the above named REC solar panels on fixed position (e.g.
ANNEX 2: INSTALLATIONS using rapid shutdown devices This section is applicable to all REC products referred to in this installation manual. Rapid Shutdown (RSD) is the name given to the range of panel-level components that can be installed in PV system circuits installed on or in buildings to reduce shock hazard for emergency responders. RSD devices can be supplied pre-installed by panel manufacturers or as a ‘retro-fit’ system made by third-party manufacturers. From January 1, 2019, Section 690.
DOCUMENT HISTORY Date Revision Number Reason 04.2019 A First release 08.2019 B Updated Datasheet REC Installation Manual - REC Alpha Series - UL 61730 Rev A - 04.
REC Solar Pte. Ltd. 20 Tuas South Avenue 14 Singapore 637312 Singapore Tel: +65 6495 9228 Mail: post@recgroup.com www.recgroup.com 18 REC Installation Manual - REC Alpha Series - UL 61730 Rev A - 04.
