In PV systems requiring overcurrent protection, where must the circuit conductors be protected?

In photovoltaic (PV) systems, overcurrent protection is necessary to prevent damage to the conductors and to ensure safety within the system. The correct answer indicates that circuit conductors must be protected at the point of connection to higher current sources.

This is important because higher current sources, such as arrays of solar panels or batteries, can introduce significant amounts of current into the system. If overcurrent protection isn't applied at this juncture, there’s a risk of excessive current flowing into the conductors, potentially leading to overheating and fire hazards. By having overcurrent protection at the point of connection to these sources, the system can safeguard the conductors from excessive current, ensuring that they operate within their rated limits and enhancing overall system reliability and safety.

The other options reflect points in the system where overcurrent protection may not provide adequate safety. For example, protecting at the output of the inverter addresses different issues and may not be sufficient for incoming currents. Similarly, while connection points to lower current sources are important, they do not present the same risk of overload as connections to higher current sources do. Protecting at the distribution panel is essential, but without prior protection at the higher current source, there could still be risks upstream in the system.