1 Scope

1.1 These requirements cover rack mounting systems, mounting grounding/bonding devices, and clamping/retention devices for specific (manufacturer/model designation) flat-plate photovoltaic modules and panels that comply with the Standard for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels, UL 1703, or the Standard for Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification – Part 1: Requirements For Construction, UL 61730-1 and the Standard for Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification – Part 2: Requirements For Testing, UL 61730-2, intended for installation on or integral with buildings, or to be freestanding (i.e., not attached to buildings), in accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70 and Model Building Codes. Systems, components and/or devices evaluated under this standard may be used to ground and/or mount a PV module complying with UL 1703 or UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2 when the specific module or frame has been evaluated for bonding/grounding or the module has been evaluated for mounting with the evaluated system, component or device.

1.2 These requirements cover rack mounting systems and clamping devices intended for use with photovoltaic module systems with a maximum system voltage of 1500 V.

1.3 These requirements cover rack mounting systems, clamping, retention devices pertaining to ground/bonding paths, mechanical strength, and suitability of materials only.

1.4 These requirements do not cover:

1. a) Equipment intended to accept the electrical output from the array, such as power conditioning units (inverters) and batteries.

2. b) Solar trackers or tracker mechanisms (except as specifically directed as to be utilized by the Outline of Investigation for Solar Trackers, UL 3703 and in combination with UL 3703).

3. c) Cell assemblies intended to operate under concentrated sunlight.

4. d) Optical concentrators.

5. e) Combination photovoltaic-thermal modules or panels.

6. f)  Equipment intended to carry current as a normal function of that component, such as combiner boxes, connection boxes (other than connection box for grounding), wireways and enclosures housing live parts. See the Standard for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels, UL 1703 or the Standard for Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification – Part 1: Requirements For Construction, UL 61730-1, or the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources, UL 1741.

7. g) Ground rods and ground rod accessories.

8. h) The mechanical and structural requirements of the international building code. See (i).

9. Note: The IBC and other model codes may have additional requirements. As an example, compliance with the IBC will require development load combinations which include dead, snow, wind and seismic forces using ASCE 7. These loads will need to be applied in three orthogonal directions and the load resisting elements of the system will be required to adequately support the applied loads.

10. i) Roof attachments for above roof mounting.

Summary of Topics

This revision of ANSI/UL 2703 dated July 11, 2024 includes the following changes in requirements:

– Salt Spray Test Correction; 19.1.9

– Salt Spray Test Transition Time Correction; Figure 19.2

– Salt Spray Test Salt Mist Condition Correction; Figure 19.2 note