[RE-wrenches] Utility Dis-connect

Allan Sindelar allan at positiveenergysolar.com
Sat Oct 4 08:01:47 PDT 2008


Jeff,

"Put simply, the utility-accessible EDS (External Disconnect Switch) is 
increasingly viewed as redundant and unnecessary for residential and 
small-commercial PV systems with UL-listed inverters. Eight state PUCs 
(i.e., Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New 
Hampshire, and Utah) have reached this conclusion and eliminated their EDS 
requirements for systems that meet criteria, and nine state PUCs have 
decided to leave the EDS decision up to individual utilities. In the states 
with utility choice, at least five utilities have eliminated the EDS 
requirement. These states and utilities accounted for more than 80% of total

installed PV capacity in the United States in 2006." Evaluating the 
Rationale for the Utility-Accessible External Disconnect Switch
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/42675.pdf


-----Original Message-----
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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