[RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification

[Joel Davidson]

William,

What about the "tested and approved" requirement? Does your PE also test and 
approve the system?

Joel Davidson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William Korthof" <wkorthof at eesolar.com>
To: <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 7:43 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification


> 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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>>  Please note new e-mail address and domain:
>>
>>  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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