ABSTRACT
Photovoltaic (PV) source and output circuits get their voltage directly from series connected solar cells. The National Electrical Code will consider two factors that increase PV source and output circuit voltage. PV output circuits are PV source circuits connected together in parallel at a dc combiner. Since voltage is determined by series connections and not parallel connections, PV output circuits have the same voltage as the PV source circuits that are combined to make the PV output circuit. There is an informational note that recommends an “industry standard method” for calculating maximum voltage of a PV system. A bipolar circuit has a positive grounded monopole circuit and a negative grounded monopole circuit. Maximum voltage is considered voltage to ground. PV output circuit currents are the sum of the parallel-connected PV source circuit currents. PV system dc circuit and ac inverter output conductors and equipment shall be protected against overcurrent.
