[RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification
William Korthof
wkorthof at eesolar.com
Sun Dec 20 08:54:42 PST 2009
I'm not going to say that the requirement makes very much sense, but
yes---the PE does test and approve the system in these situations.
Testing is up to the PE, and typically uses highly advanced testing
facilities; which might include things like a volt meter and clamp-on
ammeter for those especially rigorous test procedures.
I'm not going to argue that a PE procedure makes much sense for off
the shelf residential installations, but...
/wk
> From: "Joel Davidson" <joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net>
>
> 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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>>> William Miller
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>>> email: william at millersolar.com
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:22:17 -0800
> From: "Joel Davidson" <joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] 690.31E (through a building)
> Message-ID: <446219DF7FEE400886AFA5C8F396B424 at JOEL>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Regarding the DC disconnect, the 2008 Handbook 690.14C(1) comments,
> "These requirements generally prohibit long runs of PV source and
> input circuits inside a building before reaching the required PV
> disconnect. A short conductor run through a wall at the point of
> first penetration to reach a disconnect mounted inside the building
> is allowed." I think an inspector could bump a long DC circuit
> through a building even if it was in conduit. What do you all think?
>
> Joel Davidson
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bill Brooks
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 8:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] 690.31E (through a building)
>
>
> Mark,
>
>
>
> The readily accessible disconnect at the inverter is all that is
> necessary according to the code. There may be practical reasons for
> additional disconnects, but if the system has no combiner box, or
> the combiner is at the inverter, only the disconnect at the inverter
> is required.
>
>
>
> Bill.
>
>
>
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> ] On Behalf Of Mark Dickson
> Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 3:25 PM
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] 690.31E (through a building)
>
>
>
> Hello there,
>
> Due to a lot of concrete and asphalt, we are forced to run our PV
> source circuits in through one exterior wall, through a crawl space
> and out through the opposite exterior wall to our inverter and
> disconnect. We will be using EMT and will not be making any stops
> while inside the building. We will however need to place a couple
> of pull-boxes due the various required bends in excess of 360*.
> Will we be required to place a DC disconnect at the "first readily
> accessible" point inside the building?
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Mark Dickson,
>
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer T
>
> Oasis Montana Inc.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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