Bonding and Grounding of Photovoltaics
By Jeff Harrop
Ground is the earth and where voltages over 50 volts must be referenced from. This includes DC (Direct Current) and AC (alternating current) voltages. In order to do this we have a connection to the earth for each power system installed on a premise. It can be a set of driven rods, a plate, the copper water piping system, or a well casing.
The photovoltaic panels have lethal potential voltages and therefore must be bonded to the grounding system to protect people from live voltages from energizing the metal framework of the panels.