Anti-Islanding Re-certification and CYA [RE-wrenches]

[Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services]

Sigh... unfortunately, this sounds like yet another reason for folks to "go
guerilla". If no one knows the system is line tied, then they pretty much have a
bullet proof bull shit filter too. The scary thing about what you are saying, is
that it is plausible, so between shoddy installs, obstructionist utilities, and
now lawsuits... the deck is sure stacked against legal grid tied systems.

I am happy that 99.9% of what I do if off grid, battery based systems.

Todd



"Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar" wrote:

> My local utility engineer called me today and asked me a very interesting
> question that he thought of after a recent "event".   I believe the "event"
> was car accident  which knocked a pole down but he wouldn't say much more.
> He informed that anytime something like that happens the utility immediately
> checks out EVERY relay on their system and documents that they are working
> properly.  This testing is in addition to whatever other periodic testing
> they do.  These are the relays that open when there problems on the line.
> Problems such as high or low voltage, frequency out of spec and, of course,
> over current.   This way they can prove, when the inevitable lawsuit
> arrives, that it wasn't their fault that someone was hurt as their equipment
> was working
>
> He tells me that anytime there is an injury related to a live utility line
> they know that they are going to be sued and even when they prove that they
> did nothing wrong it still costs them.  What he is nervous about is that
> people with grid tied renewable energy systems will get named in the same
> lawsuit.  Sort of like every subcontractor getting named in the lawsuit when
> something happens on a commercial job.   Also, if that owner does not have
> up to date test info proving the inverter won't Island then the owner stands
> to loose the lawsuit.  Remember that the utility goes out and documents
> every relay in their system when something happens.  This guy is pretty
> sharp and he is in no way trying to hassle me or my customers,  he's
> actually trying to help.
>
> His question.. Is there any independent testing being done on a recurring
> basis of inverters?  Who does it?  And just what would the standards be.  He
> says that just because a device is factory certified to meet IEEE and UL etc
> when it leaves that factory does that mean that it will stand a lawsuit
> years after it's installed.  He's pretty dang sure without documented
> periodic testing that the owner would be in big trouble should it ever come
> to that.  No, he's not worried about the equipment failing, he just knows
> that if someone is seriously injured or worse then everyone will be getting
> named in the lawsuit.  Yes, he also admitted that it will be his deep
> pockets that they will go after first but none the less this is America
> where you can sue a fast food chain because you are obese.
>
> Sounds crazy but I've known this guy for years and I can see what he's
> talking about.  Comments?  Advice?
>
> Travis Creswell
> Ozark Energy Services

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