PV Installer Certified Program/Please Read [RE-wrenches]

[Bill Brooks]

Joel,

Connecting wires to the inverter is rarely the problem. Electricians can do
this stuff with help from a manual. Where you see mistakes made is in:

1. reverse polarity of strings.
2. properly sizing the series fuse (the ST comes with 20-amp fuses--very few
20-amp modules on the market).
3. open circuit on strings (not knowing how to troubleshoot string wiring)
4. violation of 120% rule in main service panel for interconnecting breaker.
(this does not happen too much with a single ST since it can be installed on
either a 15 or 20 amp two-pole breaker.)

I certified installer should know that stuff cold.

An electrician has many of the   capabilities needed to install a PV system,
that is why it will typically only mean taking a short course and passing a
test to get certified.

A solar thermal person on the other hand needs a whole bunch of experience
doing electrical work before they can become certified. They may have the
solar and roof skill needed, but the electrical and PV-specific electrical
they are going to struggle with if they haven't had the experience. Make a
mistake in plumbing, things get wet. Make a mistake with electrical, houses
burn down and people die.

Bill.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
> Sent: Monday, December 24, 2001 2:49 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: PV Installer Certified Program/Please Read [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> I think that licensed electricians can install an ST2500 PV
> system properly if
> they follow the manual. Do your field observations indicate
> otherwise? What
> would a certified installer do with an ST2500 system installation that a
> licensed electrician would not do?
>
> Bill Brooks wrote:
>
> > Joel,
> >
> > I'm not sure what you are asking about relative to the ST2500. Which
> > version, etc..., are you referring to. There have been numerous postings
> > about the ST so I'm trying to get a better idea of your question.
> >
> > Also, most electricians and wrenches lack the tools necessary
> to determine
> > whether a unit is operating slightly improperly. The complaints with the
> > earlier STs were much more obvious (shutting down, extremely low power,
> > etc..). The unit is doing much better but still has its flaws.
> >
> > Bill.
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
> > > Sent: Monday, December 24, 2001 12:38 PM
> > > To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> > > Subject: Re: PV Installer Certified Program/Please Read [RE-wrenches]
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Bill,
> > > Thank you and Endecon for working on the SW problem. What
> > > deficiencies are being
> > > found in ST2500 systems installed by licensed electricians?
> > >
> > >
> >
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