[RE-wrenches] Bonding Metal Roofs Part II

Thu Jun 8 11:32:35 PDT 2023

Also being in NYS, I have been familiar with this requirement for a long
time. I believe the idea is that just like how any metal part in a system
needs to be grounded, metal roof panels under solar panels are kind of part
of the system. What if a wire comes loose and touches the roof? You would
not want someone going up there to get zapped. I see the point that the
worst you can do with RSD is 80V. But in NY at least, you cant really argue
with NYSERDA if they decide they want this. I have never come across a
building or electrical inspector here that would care about this, but
NYSERDA does and that is where the incentive money comes from...

On Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 2:34 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> But isn’t the whole concept of RS to prevent the energizing of say a metal
> roof?
>
> The inverter sees a ground fault or ark fault. Trips off line, the RS
> activate and now it’s less than 80v. Isn’t that what it’s supposed to do?
>
> What is the purpose of grounding the metal roof?
>
> Jay
>
> On Jun 6, 2023, at 10:09 AM, Glenn Burt via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> If I am not mistaken, this derives from some UL testing that showed that a
> metal roof may become energized during a thermal event.
>
> I suppose no less important than our RSD requirements...
>
> -Glenn
> Sent from my 'smart'phone, so please excuse typos and spelling errors.
>
> ------ Original message------
> *From: *Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches
> *Date: *Tue, Jun 6, 2023 10:25 AM
> *To: *offgridsolar at sti.net;RE-wrenches;
> *Cc: *Jason Szumlanski;
> *Subject:*Re: [RE-wrenches] Bonding Metal Roofs Part II
>
> I'm watching this thread with interest. Is anyone aware of any serious
> injury or property damage caused by an energized metal roof, and if so,
> what were the circumstances? Is bonding metal roofs a solution looking for
> a problem?
>
> In response to the ground mount alternative, that isn't really an option
> in many areas of Florida where the cost can be 50% higher or more to ground
> mount if it's even practical due to flood level. Tile and shingle roofs in
> Southwest Florida are being switched to metal at shocking rates in the wake
> of Hurricane Ian, and we love it from an installer's standpoint.
> Fortunately, I haven't run into any bonding inspection issues for over 10
> years here.
>
> Jason Szumlanski
> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 5, 2023 at 8:28 PM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Hey Adam,
>>
>> Creative solution #1  Do not install solar on any roof if you can ground
>> mount it.
>>
>> Is this He Adam or the Him Adam?
>>
>>
>>
>> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
>> "we go where powerlines don't"
>> http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ <http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/>
>> e-mail  offgridsolar at sti.net <offgridsolar at sti.net>
>> text 209 813 0060 <209%20813%200060>*
>>
>>
>> On 2023-06-05 3:47 pm, AE Solar via RE-wrenches wrote:
>>
>> Hey all,
>> I had started a thread about bonding to metal roofs in 2018 but can't
>> figure out how to respond via the archive. I know some things have changed
>> since then, so I'm circling back and starting a new thread.
>>
>> In NY one of our inspection agencies (NYSERDA) requires bonding of metal
>> roof panels below the array, as well as within a 3' perimeter of the array.
>> S-5! in combination with Ironridge is now listed to bond the roof under the
>> array (so long as you hit every pan with an attachment) but this doesn't
>> solve the problem of trying to bond within the 3' perimeter. For installs
>> where we are only 18" from the ridge, this means we are required to bond
>> the adjacent roof as well.
>>
>> Whenever possible we install Illsco SGB-4 lugs under the ridge cap. But
>> more and more we're finding roofs where the ridge cap feels inaccessible,
>> tricky, or where we simply don't want to get into roof warranty issues
>> associated with opening up a prior contractor's work.
>>
>> Wondering if anyone else is coming up against this and what some possible
>> creative solutions might be. I don't want to walk away from potential
>> projects but...
>>
>> As always, thanks for any thoughts
>> Adam
>>
>>
>> Adam Katzman (he/him)
>> Autonomous Energies | Owner/Operator
>> www.AutonomousEnergies.com <http://www.autonomousenergies.com>
>> (518) 567-1468
>>
>>
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