[RE-wrenches] RSS: Is it necessary?

[William Miller]

David, Ray:



I have not had any problems with the Tigo RSS equipment I have installed
and I have had minimal problems with optimizers and micro-inverters (which
are also RSS equipment).  Apparently others have had failures.  We don’t
know statically how serious this problem is—the posts here are purely
anecdotal.



We also have not heard from the other side of the debate: the fire
fighters.



Based on lack of verifiable information I can not personally conclude that
RSS is all problem and no benefit.



To declare that the concept is flawed because the equipment available is
not reliable is like saying we should not be required to install airbags
because a bad batch of them was manufactured.  We are seeing problems with
the equipment needed to implement a safety requirement.  That observation
does not logically conclude the safety requirement is not valuable.



I hesitate to dismiss any safety requirement out of hand.  Safety systems
are designed to save lives and protect from injury, and most of them do.  I
am glad to have anti-lock brakes, smoke detectors and air bags.   I have
also found it quite handy to initiate RSS to allow me to work more safely
on solar circuits.



Does anyone on this installers forum have contacts in the fire-response
community that can comment on the their side of the issue?  If RSD is
really necessary for safety, then I will do my best to install good
equipment properly and hold manufacturers accountable for shoddy
solutions.  If RSD is not that effective we need to discuss undoing the
code requirements.



Sincerely,



William Miller



Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985





*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *david quattro via RE-wrenches
*Sent:* Saturday, February 15, 2025 6:05 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Cc:* david quattro
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Tigo inverter experience



RSD is the worst thing to happen to solar. Has anyone considered civil
disobedience?

    I wonder what would happen if all the installers banded together and
refused, as a united industry ‘brotherhood.’ WE are the ones stuck with the
bullshit in the aftermath.

     I’m not being snarky here , this a genuine question to the group:
Does anyone have *good* experience with RSD?   i.e. you’re really glad RSD
was there, and you genuinely feel safer?  you’re glad and happy to comply
with this code and you look forward to continuing to use RSD for the rest
of your career?









On Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

it seems silly that we are required to install these extra pieces of
equipment for added "safety", that are actually a fire hazard on the roof.
Just to survey again: how many homes have been saved by RSD?  How many fire
fighters have actually actuated the RSD system, so that they could hack
through the array to vent the roof?

I think it should only be required if you have covered so much of the roof
with PV, that the fire dept can't access uncovered roof to do their
venting.  The whole premise of RSD is flawed.  IMHO, its just another
effort to block the wider adoption of solar.

When it comes to off grid, RSD causes such a decrease in reliability to
amount to a decrease in safety, due to possible loss of communications,
water, and heat.  Add the fire hazard and RSD is really not making our
customers' lives better.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar
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