CA C-46 License reworking [RE-wrenches]

[graham at solarexpert.com]

Hi Bob-O,

I really have no idea if a C46 will be mandatory for PV in California.  
I also don’t know if the old rule still applies that a California 
contractor could only have the word “solar” in the business name if a 
C46 was issued.  I do know that most C46 solar contractors need a 
substantial amount of additional education to safely install 
grid-connected PV.   I have noticed that C10’s do a great job below the 
roofline but some are weak when it comes to making strong permanent 
watertight roof attachments.  That said, I have noticed that some C46’s 
installing PV do a great job on the roof but are not well informed as to 
electric code requirements, wire losses and true system performance.  I 
agree that solar thermal and solar PV can be considered two separate 
trades.  My installation last week consisted of 32 SP75’s for the PV and 
12 metal pool panels for the solar pool heater.  Some homeowners use the 
PV rebates to pay for a solar water or pool heating system.  My work van 
is fully stocked with all of the materials and tools needed to 
accomplish my trade(s).  If it is deemed necessary that I need two 
separate licenses so be it.  Hopefully any additional license I would 
need would be new one for PV not a C10.

What has been extremely helpful for all parties involved has been the 
hands-on training seminars taught by Bill Brooks of Endecon Engineering. 
 I will be taking Bill’s book “Designing and Installing Code-Compliant 
PV Systems with me to Sacramento.  Contractors need to know their 
limitations, strengths and weaknesses.  I have been avoiding commercial 
PV systems so far and have on several occasions hired a C10 to do 
particularly tricky residential electrical work.

I seem to recall that PV installations in Florida require a roofing 
contractor as well as an electrician.  Having two different contractors 
on the same job site may not be a good thing.  I can’t say that I relish 
the thought of a state mandate to hire an IBEW brother on my jobs, but 
safety must come first.  I care deeply about the solar industry and will 
do whatever it takes to continue installing.   I could document a 
sizable list of hurdles presented in the past year that have obstructed 
PV installations.  As far as I am concerned the only acceptable barrier 
to installing PV is trees and shade.

I have just found out that the new meters to be installed by LADWP will 
be zeroed.  Apparently these meters will not spin backwards past zero, 
but power will still back-feed.  This seems like a disincentive to make 
one’s PV powered home more energy efficient.  If a homeowner spent the 
PV rebate on Energy Star upgrades throughout the home and consumed less 
power monthly than the solar generated the utility gets the power 
without a means of establishing how much was provided.

Graham Owen
GO Solar Company
www.solarexpert.com 

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