Which NEC article covers photovoltaic (PV) systems?

• A. Article 690
• B. Article 500
• C. Article 705
• D. Article 300

Answer: (A)

Photovoltaic systems have specialized equipment and wiring needs that are different from general electrical installations, so the NEC assigns a dedicated article to them. This article covers the installation of PV arrays, modules, inverters, wiring methods for DC and AC circuits, overcurrent protection, disconnects, grounding, and other safety requirements specific to solar configurations. It also addresses how the PV system connects to the building’s electrical system and how rapid shutdown and other safety features should be implemented.

While another article governs how power sources connect to the electrical system overall, the specific rules for installing and wiring a PV system live in the PV-focused article. The other listed articles cover general wiring methods (not PV-specific), hazardous locations (not PV-specific), or interconnection of power sources more broadly, but do not address the unique aspects of photovoltaic installations.