[RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification

Mon Dec 21 12:56:04 PST 2009

Thanks to all who have posted.

To answer a couple of questions that have been posted.

Eagle Roofing does not have a contractor's license, as we do not perform the installation. We work with electrical contractors and roofing contractors in the area of a given project. Our services do include the design and documentation of the system, and "help" our partners pull the permit.

We have tried several of the approaches mentioned here, i.e. the system consist of certified products, and why do we have to re-test certified products, etc. However, this plan checker seems very firm on their position. Pressing further, we asked them to provide the criteria for the test they are requesting, and amazingly enough they could not produce any. They also said that just a wet stamp of the plans would not suffice.

We have completed previous installations in this local within the last year and were not faced with this requirement, even though it was originally adopted in 2007.

The following is a verbal description of what they want done;

He said that a registered electrical engineer has to be onsite when the installation of this system is completed.  This engineer has to test the power (wattage) and load (amps) to make sure that the output is within the parameters of which this system is design for, and finally this person has to write a report with his PE stamp to certify that this system is working properly.

We did get as far as to get him to agree that it did not seem relevant, as he said he was going to look into the ordinance a little further and might make some revisions to it.  However, for now, he won't budge on this ordinance because it's been in the city code before he came on board.

Also, some additional system information. 3 strings of 38 PV Tiles (Suntech 50 Watt BIPV Roof Tile) with one PV Powered 4800 Watt inverter in a grid tied set up. Not exactly a complex system.

I will provide additional updates as I get them.

Thanks again,
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> 

________________________________

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org on behalf of William Miller
Sent: Fri 12/18/2009 3:05 PM
To: RE-wrenches
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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Please note new e-mail address and domain:

William Miller 
Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: william at millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
<http://millersolar.com/> License No. C-10-773985

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