PGE's new AC lockable requirement [RE-wrenches]

[Eric Stromberger]

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Hi All,  Thought this would be of interest.

From: "Turner, David L" <DLTk at pge.com>
Date: November 21, 2006 7:10:35 PM PST (CA)
Cc: "McAuley, Arthur K \(ET\)" <AKM3 at pge.com>, "O'Leary, Mark \(ET\)"  
<MEO5 at pge.com>, "Skillman, Fred R \(ET\)" <FRS1 at pge.com>, "Aldridge,  
Madeleine \(ET\)" <MEG5 at pge.com>, "Wilhelm, Mark \(ET\)" <MRW6 at pge.com>
Subject: MAJOR CHANGE TO AC DISCONNECT SWITCH POLICY FOR INVERTER- 
BASED GENERATION

Vendors:
         Below is an important announcement regarding changes to  
PG&E's policy on AC disconnect switches for inverter-based  
generators.  Please read immediately.

Dave Turner
Project Manager, Net-Metering Program
Pacific Gas and Electric Company

p.s. Happy Thanksgiving as well!


For Immediate Release – AC Disconnect Switches for Inverter-Based  
Generation


In response to your requests and in support of the California Solar  
Initiative, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has modified its  
policy regarding the installation of an AC disconnect switch on  
inverter-based generation systems.  This includes photovoltaic (PV),  
fuel-cell, and inverter-based rotating machine technologies.   
Effective November 21, 2006, customers installing inverter-based  
systems will no longer be required to include an AC disconnect switch  
when the facility has a self-contained electric revenue meter (i.e.  
0-320 amp socket-based meter or 400 amp K-based meters).  This type  
of meter is used by 98% of all PG&E customers.

To accommodate this change while maintaining utility operating needs,  
the revenue meter, when appropriate, may be temporarily removed by  
PG&E to isolate the customer’s generator from the electric  
distribution system.  Removal of the revenue meter (due to an  
emergency or maintenance on PG&E’s system) will result in loss of  
electrical service to the customer’s facility or residence.

PG&E recommends that customers installing an inverter-based generator  
consider also installing an AC disconnect switch to facilitate  
maintenance of the customer’s equipment (i.e. inverter, PV arrays,  
etc).  The AC disconnect switch provides the additional benefit of  
allowing PG&E to isolate the customer’s generator from the utility’s  
distribution system without having to interrupt service to the  
customer’s facility or residence.

PG&E’s AC disconnect requirement for Distributed Energy Resources  
(Distributed Generation) will continue to apply to:

         1)  Inverter-based interconnections having a transformer- 
rated meter (i.e. all meter panels or switchboards employing the use  
of potential and current transformers).

2)  Non-inverter based generators, including rotating or machine- 
based generators - regardless of whether the service meter  
configuration is transformer-rated or self-contained.

3)  Special situations where generators may be impacting PG&E’s  
service to its customers.

Please note: PG&E requires that access to the meter area not be  
impeded by animals, locked gates, or other obstacles and that the  
meter remain accessible at all times.  Special arrangements can be  
made to provide secure access by PG&E personnel, as required.   
Contact PG&E for information.

If you have any questions about the new policy or its implementation,  
please contact Dave Turner at 415-973-2213 or Mark O'Leary at  
415-972-5265.





Eric Stromberger

Mendocino Solar Service
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