[RE-wrenches] Utility Dis-connect

[Bill Brooks]

Peter and all,

LADWP used to do a more comprehensive test. Off the record, an inverter did
fail that test because the manufacturer violated their listing (AEI--no
longer in business). To this person's knowledge may be correct. The problem
was addressed properly, but we don't want to get on our high haunches and
make blanket statements because we want them to be true.

The primary justification for removing the disconnect requirement for
residential is that the utility already has an isolation point with their
serving meter (called a self-contained meter). This is unique to smaller
services of 200-amps or less. Although we would like the requirement to be
removed in general, removing the requirement would actually require
redefining PV inverters as non-sources. The National Electrical Safety Code
(NESC) requires an isolation device with a visible break for all sources of
electricity--we have to get an exception to that or the utility would be in
violation of their code that they are legally required to uphold.

By requesting that utilities remove the requirement for customers served by
self-contained meters, the utility meets their obligations, and we get what
we want. Solving this for larger systems will require an NESC change.


Bill.


-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Peter
Parrish
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 9:50 AM
To: glenn.burt at glbcc.com; 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Utility Dis-connect

Wrenches who toil in LADWP-land. Why can't we bring our collective intellect
and force to bear on this redundant, unnecessary and costly requirement?

I believe that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Solar Incentive
office has at least five years of data on anti-islanding: every PV system
that applies for a rebate at LADWP undergoes an anti-islanding test. I can
describe the test for anyone who wants to know the details, but in summary
the inverter is verified to turn OFF when the grid is disconnected (but a
load is still provided to the inverter) and verified to turn back ON after
300 secs when the grid is re-connected. I spoke to a field engineer back in
2006 and he commented that not a single inverter ever failed this test to
his knowledge. Could this data set be used to support the removal of this
requirement? What would be the venue to engage the Department on this?

- Peter

Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
California Solar Engineering, Inc.
820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885
CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
peter.parrish at calsolareng.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Glenn Burt
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 3:25 PM
To: jryago at netscape.com; 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Utility Dis-connect

Here in NY, the State Public Service Commission is proposing the lockable AC
disconnect requirement be removed for systems below 15kW.
This from a recently circulated New York State Standard Interconnection
Requirements proposal:

4.	The use of external disconnect switch has proven to be redundant and
unnecessary in small residential systems using inverters that meet relevant
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) standards.  Therefore, Staff proposes to eliminate the
external disconnect switch requirements for systems 15 kW or less that meet
UL 1741 (November 2005 revision).


There may be hope yet! 

-Glenn Burt

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Yago
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 9:25 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Utility Dis-connect

I know installing the totally useless exterior lock-able dis-connect has
been a bone of contention for us all, but was a necessary evil to get many
utilities to sign onto net metering in their state back in the late 90's.
However, now that we have had a few years of showing these are never used,
are not needed, linemen would not know if there were in their work area, and
are a waste of money, has there been any states or utilities that are giving
up on this requirement?

If not, any interest in trying to make this requirement go away?

Jeff Yago


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