[RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification

[SOLARPRO at aol.com]

Brian:
 
It seems to me that this requires the PE to actually commission the  
system.  A simple wet-stamp on plan submittals is not even indicated by the  
paragraph below, but I am certain is required.  
Bill, have you had to have a PE provide a commissioning report at the time  
of final inspection for your installations? This is a requirement that  
could arguably make sense for commercial systems, but is a good example of how  
local authorities have carte blanche to overlay egregiously onerous  
requirements if their civic spirit is anti-solar.  
 
We stopped working in Yorba Linda many years ago.  Aside from  the city's 
total and casual disregard for the solar rights act,   B&S attitude was one 
of obstruction. FYI, this city is Nixon's  hometown.
 
Patrick Redgate
Ameco Solar
 
 
In a message dated 12/19/2009 7:43:48 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
wkorthof at eesolar.com writes:

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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