Which conductors may be run separately from the PV system conductors within the PV array?

The correct choice pertains to equipment grounding conductors, which can be run separately from the PV system conductors within the PV array. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), equipment grounding conductors serve the important function of providing a continuous path for fault currents, ensuring safety and protection against electrical shock.

In the context of a PV array, grounding is essential to maintain electrical safety and system reliability. The NEC allows for these conductors to be run separately from the PV system conductors primarily because they do not carry current under normal operation and have different purposes in the electrical system. This separation can help to reduce potential interference or complications in installation, and it keeps the integrity and function of the grounding system intact.

Other conductor types, such as power conductors, control conductors, and communication conductors, are integral to the operation and control of the PV system. These conductors typically need to stay close together or be managed in specific ways to ensure the system functions correctly. The regulations around them are stricter due to their roles in the normal operation and monitoring of the PV system, and they cannot be separated in the same way as equipment grounding conductors.