Solar panels must be earthed because the metal frame can become live through an insulation fault or a lightning-induced surge. The requirement is a continuous, low-resistance bond from every module frame through the structure to the earth grid, made with hardware rated for the aluminium interface.
What the requirement is
- Every module frame bonded - no frame left floating.
- Continuous path from frame to structure to buried earth conductor to grid.
- Bonding hardware that penetrates the anodising and resists corrosion.
- The whole array earth tied to the system and building earth.
How to bond correctly
Use listed bonding clips or lugs with star washers that bite through the frame coating, tin-plated or stainless to avoid galvanic corrosion with aluminium. Then run a sized earth conductor from each structure row to the grid - see module-to-module earthing.
