[RE-wrenches] RE-wrenches Digest, Vol 7, Issue 29

[Glenn Burt]

"They can safely shut down any electrical system in a building—except for PV systems."

Not completely true, as batteries are stored energy systems and while they may be disconnected, are still energized regardless of the state of other systems.

-----Original Message-----
From: "David Brearley" <david.brearley at solarprofessional.com>
Sent: ‎1/‎22/‎2014 22:48
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] RE-wrenches Digest, Vol 7, Issue 29

Drake,

As far I know you are correct. There have not been any firefighter deaths due to solar. 

However, a fire chief in New Jersey did suggest that he let a warehouse burn down due to the presence of a PV system on the roof:

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/23313172/multiple-alarm-fire

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2013/09/why-firefighters-are-scared-solar-power/6854/

That suggests to me that while there is no crisis today, there is certainly the potential for one down the road. Imagine the insurance industry's response if fire fighters make a habit of not responding to structural fires due to the presence of PV systems. Fire fighters want touch-safe PV modules. And they have a reasonable complaint. They can safely shut down any electrical system in a building—except for PV systems.

SEIA and SEPA are the solar industry lobby. Please do engage and support them. SEIA even has a political action committee, the SolarPAC. Part of the way that I try to stay on top of evolving Code issues is by attending SEIA- and SEPA-sponsored events. 

Also, over the past 4 or 5 years, the Solar America Board of Codes and Standards has scheduled annual meetings that coincide with Intersolar. Those are very informative sessions. I think the sessions are even archived online at solarancs.org.

David Brearley
Senior Technical Editor, SolarPro magazine
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
david.brearley at solarprofessional.com
Direct: 541.261.6545


On Jan 22, 2014, at 8:18 PM, re-wrenches-request at lists.re-wrenches.org wrote:

> 
> From: Drake <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 2014 690.12 Rapid Shutdown
> Date: January 22, 2014 2:16:18 PM CST
> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Reply-To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> 
> 
> David,
>  
> My sincere thanks to all of you who worked to keep the module level disconnect requirement out of the 2014 code cycle. That ruling would have amounted to a knockout punch for string and central inverters on buildings. 
>  
> What was the driving force behind this push for immediate module level disconnection? There has clearly not been a rash of firefighter deaths due to PV systems. Although PV needs to continue evolving safety standards that take into account the concerns of firefighters, there is no crisis that would justify thwarting one of the few growing sectors of our economy.  
>  
> The PV track record has been amazingly good. So far, I've found no accounts of solar related firefighter deaths or injuries. The NFPA statistics show that the highest cause of firefighter death is heart attack. http://www.nfpa.org/newsandpublications/nfpa-journal/2013/july-august-2013/features/firefighter-fatalities-in-the-united-states-2012 
>  
> This push for crippling regulation bears the earmark of ALEC’s extensive and effective war on solar. As you can read in the following links, the massively funded, Koch brothers-linked ALEC is lobbying heavily, on every level, to derail solar. All who are associated with the solar industry need to be aware of this powerful lobbying campaign. 
>  
> http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/04/alec-freerider-homeowners-assault-clean-energy 
>  
> http://www.salon.com/2013/12/05/alec_freeriders_with_solar_panels_must_pay_for_robbing_the_system/ 
>  
> http://beforeitsnews.com/environment/2014/01/alec-gain-an-inside-track-on-colorado-solar-2490132.html 
>  
> Is there any way that the solar community can be alerted when threats to our industry are being put before the NEC? Although few contractors have the time or money to walk away from their businesses and attend code writing committees, a substantial number might have the time to make phone calls and send letters or emails to code writers. 
>  
> The solar industry needs a strong lobby of its own. 
>  
> Drake 
> 



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