I have a question. I had a PV array installed, and noticed they ran a #6 solid bare copper around the array. No problem here since they used stainless steel clamps, but the installer ran the wire straight through the roof under a shingle. He sealed it well, but something doesn't seem right. The DC cables go through a junction box into armored cable through the attic, yet the ground wire is straight through the wood. I then started to wonder how hot the ground wire would get if lightning hit it, and if it could start the wood on fire since there is no insulation between the wire and the wood. I looked in the NEC 2002 book, but couldn't find any reference to ground wire penetrating wood or roofing.

The inspector is due to come out, but I have found that many inspectors are not up to date on PV installations.

Any references to how this should be done?

Thanks,

Joe