PD IEC TS 62738:2018 sets out general guidelines and recommendations for the design and installation of ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) power plants. A PV power plant is defined within this document as a grid-connected, ground-mounted system comprising multiple PV arrays and interconnected directly to a utility’s medium voltage or high voltage grid. Additional criteria is that PV power plants are restricted from access by non-qualified persons and are continuously monitored for safety and protection, either by on-site personnel or by active remote monitoring. Technical areas addressed 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.
Safety and design requirements are referenced to the applicable requirements of IEC 62548 to address distinct differences relative to the design requirements for residential, commercial and other non-power plant applications. In general, existing standards are referenced wherever possible for uniformity. Emphasis is placed on systems employing d.c. string based systems using large scale central inverters or 3-phase string inverters, but relevant sections are also applicable to systems employing a.c. modules or d.c./d.c. converters. Medium voltage transformers, switchgear, collection systems, substations, utility interconnection, auxiliary loads, energy storage systems, and communication services are addressed, but discussion is mostly limited to recommended references to other standards and requirements.
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.
