Measures used to protect people exposed to a PV generator: 'Univer project'

Abstract

Many of the solutions to integrate PV in buildings have the special feature of placing the generator in transit areas where people can have access to inside zones of the installation (metalworks, modules, junction boxes, etc.). In these cases, if we also need a higher level of generation voltage, due to the generator size and efficiency reasons, the risk of electrical damage to people rises due to imprudences or installation faults. In this paper, we present a system of people protection designed and installed in a PV generator integrated in a parking and building area at Jaen University Campus. This PV generator has a high risk level of electric shock to humans due to its location and voltage generator level (range 500 VDC). We include both the theoretical design of the protection subsystem and also the experimental tests and measures to check its functionality and security level reached in the installation.