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

[William Miller]

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Matt:

Yes, indeed, but I can count the number of times my customers have needed 
to have their grid-tied systems disconnected on -zero- fingers.  In fact, I 
have interviewed a number of PG&E line crews and there is no record of the 
existence of any grid-tied systems on any line maps used by local 
crews.  Therefore, I expect zero meter removals for the purpose of 
disconnecting grid-tie systems.

On the other side of the issue, I have a fair number of rural customers 
with road-side pedestal meters requiring expensive 200 amp whole-house 
disconnects to accommodate even small grid-tie systems.  Switch 
disconnecting of a grid-tie system in these cases gives the same results as 
a meter removal. Thankfully these will no longer be required.

In the whole, this is a boon for PG&E grid-tie customers and a long time 
coming.  I doubt there will be many "optional" disconnects installed.  If, 
however, one wishes to recommend the disconnect to customers, this can 
still be done.

Regards,

William Miller



At 10:00 AM 11/22/2006, you wrote:

>Yes, but if you read the whole thing through he clearly states that if 
>something comes up that would otherwise result in them disconnecting your 
>system from the grid, they will simply pull your meter! Great solution, I 
>think not.
>
>Matt T
>
>William Miller wrote:
>
>>
>>Friends:
>>
>>I received about 6 copies of the message at the bottom alternating with 
>>the message directly below!
>>
>>Turner, David L would like to recall the message, "MAJOR CHANGE TO AC 
>>DISCONNECT SWITCH POLICY FOR INVERTER-BASED GENERATION".
>>
>>I guess Dave can't quite make up his mind. If this is true, it will save 
>>hundreds of dollars for my customers.
>>
>>William MIller
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>At 06:10 AM 11/22/2006, you wrote:
>>
>>
>>>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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>>
>>
>
>
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>


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