SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
PART 1 GENERAL
1.1SECTION INCLUDES
A.Installation and testing of State furnished equipment for solar electrical
generation and storage systems.
B.Furnish and install solar panel support steel, anchor bolts and templates,
electrical conductors, conduit, junction boxes, and miscellaneous items required to make a complete solar electric generation and storage system.
1.2RELATED SECTIONS
A.Section 02721: Untreated Base Course (UTBC)
B.Section 02776: Concrete Flatwork
C.Section 02893: Overhead Sign/VMS Structure
D.Section 03055: Portland Cement Concrete
E.Section 03211: Reinforcing Steel and Welded Wire
F.Section 13554: Underground Junction Box
G.Section 13595: ITS Integration, Inspection, Testing, and Acceptance
H.Section 16530: Electrical Power
1.3REFERENCES
A.ASTM C 1107: Packaged Dry, Hydraulic-Cement Grout (Nonshrink)
B.NFPA 70: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
C.UL 1703: Standard for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels
D.UL 4703: Standard for Photovoltaic Wire
E.Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Solar Electric Systems
1.4DEFINITIONS
A.Photovoltaic (PV) panel – Packaged, connected assembly of solar cells,
enclosure, and mounting frame designed to generate DC power when exposed to sunlight.
B.Solar Array – An assembly of photovoltaic modules wired together in
series, parallel or both with a support structure that forms a power producing unit.
C.Charge Controller – Equipment that can provide an output DC voltage and
current higher or lower than the input DC voltage and current used to regulate the charging process of batteries.
1.5SUBMITTALS
A.Bill of lading for materials received, signed, and dated within 10 days of
receiving materials for information.
B.Submit all pre-testing notification forms and testing forms according to
C.Packaged Dry, Hydraulic Cement Grout (Nonshrink) Material Data sheet
with installation and curing recommendations, for information.
1.6QUALITY ASSURANCE
A.Provide a Master or Journeyman Electrician licensed in the State of Utah
to supervise and be responsible for all onsite work.
B.Comply with NFPA 70.
1.7SCHEDULE STATE FURNISHED MATERIAL PICKUP
A.Notify the Engineer at least 14 calendar days prior to pick up of State
furnished equipment.
PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1STATE FURNISHED MATERIALS
A.Photovoltaic panels
Solar Electric Systems
B.Charge controller
C.Inverter
D.Batteries
E.Battery enclosure
F.Solar equipment enclosures
G.Photovoltaic panel support racking
H.AC and DC overcurrent and ground fault protection devices
2.2GENERAL
A.Provide components that are UL listed for off-grid applications.
2.3CONCRETE MAINTENANCE PAD
A.Refer to AT Series Standards Drawings
B.Refer to Section 02776
C.Welded Wire Fabric, use 6x6 – W1.4xW1.4. Refer to Section 03211
2.4UNDERGROUND JUNCTION BOXES
A.Refer to Section 13554
2.5GROUND RODS
A.Refer to Section 16530
2.6CONDUCTORS FOR SOLAR SYSTEMS
A.Photovoltaic Wire, Type PV
1.UL 4703 listed and labeled
2.Stranded copper
3.XLPE or EPR insulation, 90 C wet temperature rating
4.Maximum voltage rated 600 V
5.10 AWG minimum size
B.All other conductors, use Type USE-2/RHW-2 rated insulation.
1.Refer to Section 16530
Solar Electric Systems
2.7CIRCUIT BREAKERS
A.Refer to Section 16530
2.8IDENTIFICATION MATERIALS
A.Conductor Identification Materials
1.Refer to Section 16530.
2.9CONDUIT
A.Refer to Section 16530
2.10SOLAR ARRAY SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A.Structural Steel
1.Structural Pipe – Provide Schedule 80 structural pipe according to
Section 02893.
a.Minimum tensile strength: 42 ksi
2.All other Structural Steel – Minimum Yield Strength:
a.Base plate: 50 ksi
b.Bolt plate: 36 ksi
c.Stiffener gussets: 36 ksi
B.Anchor Bolts, Nuts and Washers
1.Refer to Section 02893
C.Concrete Foundation
1.Concrete: Use Class AA(AE), refer to Section 03055.
2.Reinforcing steel: Use uncoated, deformed or plain carbon steel
bars, refer to Section 03211.
D.Packaged dry, hydraulic cement grout (non-shrink), refer to ASTM C 1107.
PART 3 EXECUTION
3.1INSTALLATION STANDARDS
A.Install equipment in accordance with written instructions from equipment
manufacturers.
Solar Electric Systems
3.2SOLAR ARRAY SUPPORT FOUNDATIONS
A.Construct foundations to the dimensions shown in the AT Series Standard
Drawings.
B.Verify the location of the support structure foundation has no conflict with
existing underground utilities.
C.Install anchor bolts according to AT Series Standard Drawings.
3.3CONCRETE MAINTENANCE PAD
A.Construct concrete maintenance pad as shown on AT Series Standard
Drawings.
B.Place and compact UTBC according to AT Series Standard Drawings and
Section 02721.
C.Grade area around concrete maintenance pad as shown.
3.4SOLAR ARRAY SUPPORT POLE
A.Install according to AT Series Standard Drawings.
B.Pole with base plate
1.Install on anchor bolt leveling nuts and plumb the structure
a.Install the anchor bolts according to Section 02893.
2.Install the non-shrink grout below the base plate.
3.5UNDERGROUND JUNCTION BOX
A.Install underground junction box according to AT Series Standard
Drawings.
3.6SOLAR ARRAY AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
A.Comply with manufacturer’s written installation instructions.
B.Isolate dissimilar metals from each other.
C.Install 2 each, ¾ inch x 10 foot ground rods at least 6 feet apart, outside of
concrete maintenance pad and inside of optional fence for site grounding electrode system.
Solar Electric Systems
D.Bond metal frames of photovoltaic modules to metal racking, support
structure, and to site grounding electrode system.
1.Use UL 1703 listed bonding devices.
E.Bond equipment enclosures and cabinets to the site grounding system.
1.Use UL 1703 listed bonding devices.
F.Install conduit and conductors. Refer to Section 16530.
1.Install Type PV conductors between photovoltaic modules and
combiner box.
2.Install Type USE-2/RHW-2 conductors in all other locations.
a.Install all conductors located lower than 8 feet above finished
grade in conduit.
G.Route conduit and exposed conductors parallel to support rails.
1.Support and secure conduit and exposed conductors at intervals
not exceeding NFPA 70 requirements for the wiring method.
H.Install ground fault detection and protection equipment and bond DC and
AC systems to earth.
I.Install solar array facing true south with inclination angle as shown.
J.Torque all electrical connections as specified by equipment or terminal
manufacturer.
3.7GROUNDING OF OPTIONAL PERIMETER FENCE
A.Bond metal fencing to grounding electrode system.
1.Bond fence at each corner post, both sides of every gate and at
posts closest to solar array.
2.Use grounding conductors according to Section 16530.
3.8STARTUP AND TESTING
A.Follow the integration, inspection, testing, and acceptance process
according to Section 13595.
B.Test conductors for insulation integrity after installation but prior to
terminating. Refer to Section 16530.
C.Check continuity of all conductors and grounding conductors before
starting system. Solar Electric Systems
D.Startup solar array and electrical equipment according to manufacturer’s
written instructions.
E.Test solar array and electrical system following at least 2 consecutive
days of full sun.
1.Test on a full sun day between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00
p.m. MST.
END OF SECTION
Solar Electric Systems
End of 2027 Standard Specifications For Road and Bridge Construction
Standards Digitally signed by Standards Coordinator Coordinator Date: 2026.06.02 13:29:59 -06'00'
Utah revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 1324–1331 of 1,331.
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