[RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification

[William Korthof]

Yes, Yorba Linda technically requires an electrical PE stamp on PV  
projects.

  We've probably done a dozen installations in the city, though I  
don't think they've
enforced the electrical PE requirement on all projects. They do  
require structural
PE on all projects as well, and that requirement is always enforced.  
Big pain.

Yes it's onerous. Yes we hate it. But we keep going.

We have structural and electrical PE engineers available to review and  
certify our
plans as needed, so these are just more extra costs helping to drive  
up the cost
of solar.

/wk


>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: William Miller
>  To: RE-wrenches
>  Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 5:05 PM
>  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification
>
>
>  Brian:
>
>  I looked up the Municipal Codes (http://www.ci.yorba-linda.ca.us/~ci26/how-do-i/get/get-city-codes 
> ) and this requirement is right in there.  I hope you have a  
> provision in your contract that allows for additional billing for  
> unanticipated engineering fees.  Everyone should.  If you need  
> language, contact me off line.
>
>  Fortunately I have never experienced anything like this.  This  
> requirement sounds unreasonable.  It is sort of like asking an air  
> conditioning contractor to have the air conditioning unit tested in  
> the field.  Individual solar components are listed.  The combining  
> of the components is facilitated by the manufacturers specifications  
> and on-line sizing tools. Having said that, an amateur can easily  
> screw the design and installation of even the most simple grid-tie  
> system.  This provision is the ultimate consumer protection.  It  
> sounds onerous at first but does have a benefit.
>
>  Good luck, and give us a hint how much this certification costs.
>
>  William Miller
>
>
>
>
>  At 01:31 PM 12/18/2009, you wrote:
>
>    I am curious if any of you have had to deal with this issue before.
>
>    The following is an item we got back from the City of Yorba Linda  
> for a Plan Check correction:
>
>
>     All electrical solar systems shall be tested and approved by a  
> California Registered Electrical Engineer.  The engineer shall  
> furnish a report stating their name, registration number, its date  
> of expiration, address where the testing occurred and the dates of  
> testing and approval.  Such report shall be presented to the City  
> inspector for approval at the time of final inspection.  (YLMC  
> 15.28.020)  Note on the plans.
>
>    All experiences and suggestion are appreciated.
>
>
>
>    Best Regards,
>    Brian C. White
>    Design Engineer - PV Systems
>
>    Eagle Roofing Products
>    120 North Auburn Street - Suite 212
>    Grass Valley, CA  95945
>    Phone: 530-273-2948
>    Cell: 530-575-5550
>    e-mail: brianw at eagleroofing.com <mailto:brianw at eagleroofing.com>
>
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>  William Miller
>  Miller Solar
>  Voice :805-438-5600
>  email: william at millersolar.com
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>  License No. C-10-773985
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