[TowerTalk] Urgent: Should solar panel array be grounded to station ground and/or house ground?

[Jim Brown]

On 10/9/2012 8:34 AM, John W wrote:
> Hi Chas,
>   
> The current plan is this:
>   
> They are going to run a #8 ground stranded wire down from the rail system, following the same route as the electric wires, attaching it to the ground bar inside the load center subpanel up in the attic, then continuing from there down through the conduit to the ground bar inside the outside safety disconnect box, which will be installed a few feet above ground, and then continuing from there and attaching to the ground bar of the main house panel where the electrical connections are also being made.  Then relying on the ground from the main house panel out to a ground rod or two.  (Not sure what the builder has installed, it was 1998 and I wasn't here, but I'm going to email him and see if he remembers.)
>   
> In addition to the above, for lightning protection, I am also having them run a #6 stranded ground wire from the roof rail system straight down the side of the house to a 5/8" 8' ground rod which I am about to go and drive into the ground.
> That rod will eventually get tied to my perimeter ground as well, once I install it and the towers.

Good.
>   
> My question now is:  How many feet away from the house foundation should this rod be installed?

First, don't stop with one rod. More is better.  As to spacing -- we 
would like the rod to see moist earth, which reduces the impedance to 
earth, so we want it exposed to rainfall, but we don't want to make the 
downlead any longer than necessary, so it's a compromise.

73, Jim K9YC