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<TITLE>Re: [RE-wrenches] Line Side Feed In and Disconnects</TITLE>
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<FONT SIZE="4"><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Wayne,<BR>
<BR>
As you suggested, because this is a new service, a PV service disconnect is required. The question of whether a second disconnect is required, a new disconnect for the main service, is a <I>Code</I> issue, as far as I can tell. It is also an interpretation, but I’ll get to that later.<BR>
<BR>
It just so happens that the June/July issue of <I>SolarPro</I> magazine will have an extensive article on making PV interconnections. The authors are Ryan LeBlanc and Tarn Yates from SPG Solar. From their article, here are some <I>Code</I> articles that apply to selecting and locating a disconnect for a line side connection:<BR>
<BR>
230.66 – Disconnect shall be listed for use as service equipment.<BR>
230.70(A)(1) – Disconnect shall be installed at a readily accessible location.<BR>
230.72(A) – All service disconnects shall be grouped together.<BR>
<BR>
The last article is no doubt the one that the AHJ is referencing in this case. <BR>
<BR>
The reason I feel that this extra expense and effort is an interpretation, as much as it is a <I>Code</I> issue, is that you could make a load side connection and still have the math work for the feed-in tariff program and for the revenue metering. <BR>
<BR>
How is that? <BR>
<BR>
Well, a meter on the inverter output circuits will read the total PV kWh for the feed-in tariff. A bi-directional meter for the revenue meter will read in-flow from the utility and out-flows to the utility. The difference between total PV kWh and the out-flow-kWh are the PV generated kWh that the customer used on site rather than export to the utility. Right? Whatever PV generated energy is not exported to the utility is used on site.<BR>
<BR>
So for billing purposes the customer is charged as follows:<BR>
<BR>
Total kWh for billing = In-flow kWh + (feed-in tariff kWh – out-flow kWh)<BR>
<BR>
Theoretically, this can also be implemented affordably by the utility: move the exiting revenue meter to the PV system; add a $100 bi-directional meter to the original meter can. Finished. <BR>
<BR>
Making a line-side connection is often difficult and expensive, especially when you now have to add a new service disconnect for the facility. At least in theory, it is also dangerous; the fault-currents there are higher. You have these implementation issues on the one hand. On the other hand you have a spreadsheet, or a one-time fix the the utility’s billing software. <BR>
<BR>
So I think the utility is making this more onerous than they need to. Especially for small generators, the cost of this service upgrade will kill the deal. The utility probably isn’t interested in this solution, but we can still dream of the perfect fix.<BR>
<BR>
David Brearley, Technical Editor<BR>
<I>SolarPro</I> magazine <BR>
NABCEP Certified PV Installer ™<BR>
david.brearley@solarprofessional.com<BR>
Direct: 541.261.6545<BR>
Fax: 541.512.0343<BR>
<B><BR>
</B>Visit our Web site at solarprofessional.com<BR>
<BR>
On 3/9/09 5:25 PM, "Allan Sindelar" <allan@positiveenergysolar.com> wrote:<BR>
<BR>
</SPAN></FONT></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT SIZE="5"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14pt'>Wayne,<BR>
Use this as a tool: <a href="http://www.solarabcs.org/utilitydisconnect/">http://www.solarabcs.org/utilitydisconnect/</a><BR>
and this: <a href="http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/42675.pdf">http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/42675.pdf</a><BR>
</SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT SIZE="4"><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'> <BR>
<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Allan Sindelar</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000FF"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"><U>allan(at)positiveenergysolar.com</U></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <a href="mailto:allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><mailto:allan@positiveenergysolar.com></a> <BR>
</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <BR>
</FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT SIZE="6"><FONT FACE="Garamond"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:18pt'><B>Positive Energy, Inc.</B></SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT SIZE="4"><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'> <BR>
</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">3201 Calle Marie</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <BR>
</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Santa Fe NM 87507</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <BR>
</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">505 424-1112</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <BR>
</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">www.positiveenergysolar.com</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <BR>
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</FONT></SPAN><FONT COLOR="#008000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'><B>Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.</B></SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'> <BR>
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</FONT></SPAN><FONT FACE="Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>-----Original Message-----<BR>
<B>From:</B></SPAN><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org]">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org]</a> <B>On Behalf Of </B>Wayne Irwin<BR>
<B>Sent:</B> Monday, March 09, 2009 4:41 PM<BR>
<B>To:</B> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<BR>
<B>Subject:</B> [RE-wrenches] Line Side Feed In and Disconnects<BR>
<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">Hello Wrenches,<BR>
<BR>
Here in Gainesville, Fla. we have recently adopted a Feed In Tariff. <BR>
So, now we are supposed to directly feed the line side of the utility meter (essentially a new service). No big deal. <BR>
As usual we use an AC disco between the inverter and the grid. However, the permit department is requiring that we install and additional disco between the existing service feed and the distribution panel to group all disco's in the same location. This especially adds an additional expense when dealing with 3 phase systems as well as the raises the question, is this really the National Electrical Code or just an interpretation? Your thoughts?<BR>
<BR>
Wayne Irwin, President<BR>
Pure Energy Solar International Inc. <BR>
Lic # CVC56695 <BR>
<a href="mailto:PureEnergySolar@hotmail.com"><mailto:PureEnergySolar@hotmail.com></a> <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<HR ALIGN=CENTER SIZE="3" WIDTH="100%">Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 18:20:57 -0400<BR>
From: reellison@gmail.com<BR>
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<BR>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Small Torque Wrench<BR>
<BR>
I got mine from "the knife and tool store" <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/don19470/">http://myworld.ebay.com/don19470/</a> on E bay. nice tool, adjustable 10 - 50 In Oz and he has others, just get the adapter that lets you use 1/4" drive bits and your good to go. It is a german tool and i use it on all breaker connections as well as others.<BR>
<BR>
Later,<BR>
Bob<BR>
<BR>
On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 12:10 PM, Peter Parrish <peter.parrish@calsolareng.com> wrote:<BR>
</FONT></SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <BR>
<BR>
</FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT SIZE="5"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12pt'>We have a great torque wrench for snugging down module clamps, Sharp SRS bolts, etc. What do folks use to insure that wire terminals are torqued to spec? We’re talking 1.1 to 3.3 N-m (10-30 in-lbs). I’m imagining something compact like an over-sized screwdriver. <BR>
<BR>
- Peter<BR>
</SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT SIZE="4"><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'> <BR>
</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><FONT COLOR="#000080"><FONT FACE="Arial">Peter T. Parrish, President<BR>
California Solar Engineering, Inc.<BR>
820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065<BR>
Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885<BR>
CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26<BR>
</FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#888888">peter.parrish@calsolareng.com</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000FF"> <BR>
</FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><BR>
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