[RE-wrenches] "Keep that there PV off my grid!"

[Karl Jaeger]

Hello Ray,
No, we don't have any usage data. With data I am quite sure we could prove the unlikelihood of PV power reaching the grid, but I know I could not honestly say it is impossible.
They will be meeting to discuss allowing our "dirty power" onto their grid in the coming months. I agree it would be of value to get them in touch with utilities that have PV experience, nice suggestion.
Thanks.

Karl Jaeger
Operations Manager
LightWave Solar Electric
www.lightwavesolar.com


From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of R Ray Walters
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 12:41 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] "Keep that there PV off my grid!"

FIrst, if they're intertied with the rest of the US grid, they already have some of that Pesky wind and solar power on their grid.
Seems to me that just some good old load data would show the PV output would never exceed the minimum daytime onsite usage.
I'm guessing you would want to look at weekend afternoons.....?
Do you have any long term monitoring data?

I remember these fights from the 90s too.
Quote: " to the pioneers go the arrows, to the settlers go the spoils"
Many on this list have taken an arrow or two for the cause; sorry this is still happening in 2011.
My best ammo was putting them in touch with other utilities that have experience with PV, and not get mad.
They're usually concerned with lineman safety, so their heart is in the right place, though not their brain.

Good Luck,

R. Walters
ray at solarray.com<mailto:ray at solarray.com>
Solar Engineer





On Feb 16, 2011, at 7:18 AM, Karl Jaeger wrote:


Thanks guys,
I had little doubt that the best source of industry knowledge would fail me.
Keep on keepin' on,

Karl Jaeger
Operations Manager
LightWave Solar Electric
www.lightwavesolar.com<http://www.lightwavesolar.com/>




From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Clearwater
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 2:00 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] "Keep that there PV off my grid!"

Hi Karl,

Whether it's worth pursuing or not, I believe their stance is in violation of PURPA.  I'm not an expert but I know others have won court cases over it.  It is left up to the State to administer however I do believe.   DSire.org<http://DSire.org/> shows no net metering support in Alabama.  I imagine someone else on the List knows more than I.

But it sounds in this case like the technical fix is more prudent - Everything has it's season.

Best of Luck,

Jeff C.
Village Power Design





Greetings Esteemed Wrenches,

My company was recently tasked to engineer a PV project in Alabama. We sat down for a meeting with all of the local big-shots. They proceeded to let us know that we are not allowed to feed any excess PV power onto their grid, production cannot exceed demand. I am hoping that y'all might be able to steer me towards a contactor assembly or device that would detect reverse current flow, trigger the contactor, then open up the inverter AC output circuit. The service is 3-phase, 208 volt. The maximum current we intend to introduce is 70 amps, continuous.

Appreciate your advice,

Karl Jaeger
Operations Manager
LightWave Solar Electric
www.lightwavesolar.com<http://www.lightwavesolar.com/>


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