[RE-wrenches] Utility Dis-connect

[Marv Dargatz]

Peter,

The qualification testing for UL1741/IEEE1547 listing of the inverters 
covers anti-islanding in excruciating detail.  In addition, every 
inverter must be tested on the production line to ensure compliance with 
the Utility Interactive requirements.  The fact that an inverter has the 
"Utility Interactive" text on the rating label guarantees that it will 
not island, and will "cease to export power" if the utility voltage or 
frequency goes outside of acceptable limits.

The LADWP test is not necessary.  Anybody who understands the type 
testing and production test requirements would be hard pressed to 
justify the field test.

See Ya!

Marv
Enphase Energy
707 763-4784 x7016

Peter Parrish wrote:
> 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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