rec Alphα panels Installation Manual FOR ALL REC ALPHA SOLAR PANELS CERTIFIED ACCORDING TO IEC 61215 & UL 61730 STANDARDS: • REC Alpha Series • REC Alpha Black Series • REC Alpha Pure Series • REC Alpha 72 Series
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 3 SAFETY MEASURES 4 PANEL HANDLING 5 CHOOSING AN INSTALLATION LOCATION 5 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION 6 Electrical requirements 6 MECHANICAL INSTALLATION 6 PANEL INSTALLATION 7 Securing of panels 7 Installation of REC Alpha Series panels 8 Mounting REC Alpha Series panels with continous rails parallel to short side of the panel 8 Mounting REC Alpha Series panels with continous rails parallel to long side of the panel 9 Mounting REC Alpha Series panels with short rails 10 Installation of RE
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 decades of clean and renewable energy. 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. DANGER - Electrical shock Solar panels generate direct current (DC). Once current is flowing, breaking a connection (e.g., disconnecting two panels) can cause an electrical arc.
PANEL HANDLING In order to avoid damage, all REC solar panels should be handled with care and protected from damage at all times. All warnings and instructions on the packaging should be observed.
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION DANGER - Electrical shock Safety is paramount when working on the electrical installation. Always follow the electrical requirements to avoid the risk of sparking, fire hazards, burns and lethal electric shocks.
PANEL INSTALLATION REC solar panels are designed for capturing solar radiation and can be installed where they conform to all local structural regulations. If installing REC solar panels in overhead or vertical constructions, the installer must ensure that all local building codes and regulations specific to such installations are correctly followed. There are different options for securing REC solar panels depending on the design of the array. Mounting hardware is not supplied by REC.
INSTALLATION OF REC ALPHA SERIES PANELS MOUNTING REC ALPHA SERIES PANELS WITH CONTINOUS RAILS PARALLEL TO SHORT SIDE OF THE PANEL A continous rail (or other support structure) spans the complete underside of the panel. Fig. 3: Clamping of REC Alpha Series panels with rails parallel to short side of the panel 27.4 in [695 mm] 0 27.4 in [695 mm] 23.8 in [605 mm] 0 23.8 in [605 mm] 22.2 in [565 mm] 22.2 in [565 mm] 13.4 in [340 mm] 13.4 in [340 mm] 8.2 in [208 mm] 4 in [100 mm] 4 in [100 mm] 9.
MOUNTING REC ALPHA SERIES PANELS WITH CONTINOUS RAILS PARALLEL TO LONG SIDE OF THE PANEL A continous rail (or other support structure) spans the complete underside of the panel. Fig. 4: Clamping of REC Alpha Series panels with rails parallel to long side of the panel 0 0 25.6 in [650 mm] 4 in [100 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 4 in [100 mm] 0 0 0 4 in [100 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] Legend 9.8 in [250 mm] 4 in [100 mm] 0 25.6 in [650 mm] Clearance Gap Clamping zone 0.8 - 1.
MOUNTING REC ALPHA SERIES PANELS WITH SHORT RAILS A short rail (or other short support structure) has a minimum length of 25 mm and does not span the complete underside of a panel. Fig. 5: Clamping of REC Alpha Series panels using a short support 27.4 in [695 mm] 0 27.4 in [695 mm] 0 23.8 in [605 mm] 23.8 in [605 mm] 22.2 in [565 mm] 22.2 in [565 mm] 13.4 in [340 mm] 13.4 in [340 mm] 8.2 in [208 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 4 in [100 mm] 0 0 4 in [100 mm] 4 in [100 mm] M Ma in. 1 x.
INSTALLATION OF REC ALPHA PURE SERIES PANELS MOUNTING REC ALPHA PURE SERIES PANELS WITH CONTINOUS RAILS PARALLEL TO SHORT SIDE OF THE PANEL A continous rail (or other support structure) spans the complete underside of the panel. Fig. 6: Clamping of REC Alpha Pure Series panels with rails parallel to short side of the panel 700 mm [27.5 in] 0 700 mm [27.5 in] 610 mm [24.0 in] 0 610 mm [24.0 in] 505 mm [15.9 in] 505 mm [15.9 in] 375 mm [14.8 in] 375 mm [14.8 in] 200 mm [7.
MOUNTING REC ALPHA PURE SERIES PANELS WITH CONTINOUS RAILS PARALLEL TO LONG SIDE OF THE PANEL A continous rail (or other support structure) spans the complete underside of the panel. Fig. 7: Clamping of REC Alpha Pure Series panels with rails parallel to long side of the panel 0 0 200 mm [7.9 in] 200 mm [7.9 in] Long Side Mounting Short Side Mounting 300 mm [11.8 in] 300 mm [11.8 in] Rail position 0 Rail position 0 200 mm [7.9 in] Clamping zone 300 mm [11.8 in] Clearance Gap Legend 300 mm [11.
MOUNTING REC ALPHA PURE SERIES PANELS WITH SHORT RAILS A short rail (or other short support structure) has a minimum length of 25 mm and does not span the complete underside of a panel. Fig. 8: Clamping of REC Alpha Pure Series panels using short rails 700 mm [27.5 in] 0 700 mm [27.5 in] 610 mm [24.0 in] 0 610 mm [24.0 in] 505 mm [15.9 in] 505 mm [15.9 in] 375 mm [14.8 in] 375 mm [14.8 in] 200 mm [7.9 in] 300 mm [11.8 in] 300 mm [11.8 in] 200 mm [7.
INSTALLATION OF REC ALPHA 72 SERIES PANELS MOUNTING REC ALPHA 72 SERIES PANELS WITH CONTINOUS RAILS PARALLEL TO SHORT SIDE OF THE PANEL A continous rail (or other support structure) spans the complete underside of the panel. Fig. 9: Clamping of REC Alpha 72 Series panels with rails parallel to short side of the panel 0 0 30.7 in [780 mm] 30.7 in [780 mm] 25.8 in [655 mm] 25.8 in [655 mm] 13.8 in [350 mm] 13.8 in [350 mm] 7.9 in [200 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 0 0 7.
MOUNTING REC ALPHA 72 SERIES PANELS WITH SHORT RAILS PARALLEL TO SHORT SIDE OF THE PANEL A short rail (or other short support structure) has a minimum length of 25 mm and does not span the complete underside of a panel. Fig. 10: Clamping of REC Alpha 72 Series panels using short rails 0 0 7.9 in [200 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 9.8 in [250 mm] 0 0 7.9 in [200 mm] Clearance Gap Legend Ma Min. x. 7 1 in .
MOUNTING METHODS: SLIDE IN SYSTEMS When installing using slide in systems the mounting system 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. When installing solar panels using a slide-in system, the drainage holes found in the underside of the panel frame (see fig. 15) must not be covered. For Scale: 1:1.57 Scale: 1:1.
DRAINAGE HOLES On the long and short sides of the REC frame small drainage holes can be found that allow humidity and water to exit the frame easily and minimize damage (fig. 15). These are spaced 55 mm from the corner on 60/66-cell format panels and 60 mm on 72-cell format panels. 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 connector type(s) used on REC panels are indicated in the product specifications at the rear of this manual. The connector IP rating is only valid when 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%).
PANEL MAINTENANCE CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS REC solar panels have been designed for easy maintenance. However cleaning solar panels can assist in optimizing electricity output. The need for cleaning will vary dependent on location, rainfall, 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 ensure water runs off the surface.
PANEL CHARACTERISTICS Product SPECIFICATIONS TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: REC ALPHA SERIES Fig. 19: Panel dimensions: REC Alpha Series REC ALPHA SERIEs > Product SPECIFICATIONS 1721±2.5 [67.8±0.1] 28 [1.1] CERTIFICATIONS 455 [17.9] 811 [31.9] IEC 61215:2016, IEC 61730:2016, UL 61730 GR GR 1000 [39.4] GR 975±2.5 [38.4±0.1] 6.6±0.2 [0.26±0.01] 1016±2.5 [40 ±0.1] 6.0±0.2 [0.24±0.01] 11±0.2 [0.43±0.
Product SPECIFICATIONS TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: REC ALPHA BLACK SERIES Fig. 20: Panel dimensions: REC Alpha Black Series REC ALPHA Black SERIEs > Product SPECIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS 1721±2.5 [67.8±0.1] 28 [1.1] IEC 61215:2016, IEC 61730:2016, UL 61730 455 [17.9] 811 [31.9] 1000 [39.4] GR 11±0.2 [0.43±0.01] Salt Mist IEC 62716 Ammonia Resistance UL 1703 Fire Type 2 IEC 62782 Dynamic Mechanical Load IEC 61215-2:2016 Hailstone (35mm) AS4040.
Product SPECIFICATIONS TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: REC ALPHA PURE SERIES Fig. 21: Panel dimensions: REC Alpha Pure Series REC ALPHA PURE SERIEs > Product SPECIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS 1821±2.5 [71.7±0.1] 460 [18.1] 901 [35.5] IEC 61215:2016, IEC 61730:2016, UL 61730 GR GR 153.7 [6.05] 1100 [43.3] GR 11±0.2 [0.43±0.01] 22.5 [0.9] 30 [1.2] 132 half-cut REC heterojunction cells with lead-free, gapless technology 6 strings of 22 cells in series 0.13 in (3.
Product SPECIFICATIONS TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: REC ALPHA 72 SERIES Fig. 22: Panel dimensions: REC Alpha 72 Series REC ALPHA 72 SERIEs > Product SPECIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS 2063± 2.5 [81.20±0.1] 1058 [41.7] 502.5 [19.8] 400 [15.75] GR GR 1200 [47] 1026±2.5 [40.39±0.1] GR 11± 0.2 [0.43±0.01] 6.6± 0.2 [0.26±0.01] 17 [0.7] GR GR 22.55 [0.9] 761±3 [29.9±0.1] Measurements in mm [in] GENERAL DATA 144 half-cut cells with REC heterojunction cell technology 6 strings of 24 cells in series 0.13 in (3.
ANNEX 1: INSTALLATIONS ON WATER PLATFORMS The REC solar panels covered by this manual 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 REC solar panels on fixed position (e.g., anchored) water platforms, for example, floating pontoons, follow the instructions below specific to such applications. Failure to do so will invalidate the warranty.
ANNEX 2: INSTALLATIONS USING MODULE LEVEL POWER ELECTRONICS This section is applicable to all REC products referred to in this installation manual. Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) 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. MLPE devices can be supplied pre-installed by panel manufacturers or as a ‘retro-fit’ system made by third-party manufacturers.
DOCUMENT HISTORY Date Revision Reason 04.2019 A First release 08.2019 B Updated Datasheet 10.2019 C Mounting zones extended 06.2020 D Addition of load specifications for different clearance gaps and rail lengths 09.2020 D2 Added minimum required torque for clamping 12.2020 E Addition of REC Alpha 72 Series 03.2021 F Updated Datasheets 06.2021 G Addition of REC Alpha Pure Series 26 REC Installation Manual - REC Alpha Panels - UL 61730 Rev G - 06.
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