<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> I feel confident that the load will not be over 80 Amps at any time, and therefore do not think that a service upgrade is necessary. If the load is increased in the future (as in any situation,) the panel may need to be
upgraded in the future. By 'legal,' I assume you mean that it is approved by the applicable codes. <br><div> I do agree that according to the 120% rule, the bussing is undersized, and a service upgrade would be a good solution. However, I have heard that an exception can be made if a load analysis is provided. My questions is specifically about the exception. I have a firm understanding of my other options. <br></div>Nick Soleil<br>Project Manager<br>Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC<br>PO Box 657<br>Petaluma, CA 94953<br>Cell: 707-321-2937<br>Office: 707-789-9537<br>Fax: 707-769-9037<div><br></div><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> Eric Andrews
<eric@ecosolarnow.com><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Wed, March 31, 2010 9:19:48 AM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Supply Side Tap Overcurrent Protection<br></font><br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">We
recommend to the customer to upgrade their service if it’s not adequate
(old/outdated/too small).<span style=""> </span>In the
grand scheme of things, that’s a small add-on.<span style=""> </span>Whenever there’s a questionable
interconnect, it’s always prudent to get a pre-approval from your AHJ and
your utility.<span style=""> </span>A supply side tap may
be just as cumbersome as upgrading the service.<span style=""> </span>There is no magic “load analysis”
approval in the NEC for an owner load that’s significantly under loading
their service. <span style=""> </span>I would say your AHJ
will have the final answer on your situation.<span style=""> </span>They will appreciate being brought into
the situation before work has been done.</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">Also,
if the service panel is rated for 100 amps then you can legally interconnect 20
x .8 = 16.7 amps per the 120% rule.<span style="">
</span>30A and 40A breakers?</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">Eric R. Andrews</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="black" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: "sans-serif"; color: black;">NABCEP
Certified PV Installer</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">>> </span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Downsize the main
breaker? I would if I could, but the customer only has 100 Amps now, and
the solar is fed with two breakers, a 30A and a 40A. So to be under
120Amps, I would have to size the main to 50 Amps, which may be problematic.<br>
I can also do the line side tap, but had heard that a load
analysis may be accepted instead. The loads of the house will never use
more than 100 Amps. I am wondering if any codes or white papers detail
that option. </span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Nick Soleil<br>
Project Manager<br>
Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC<br>
PO Box 657<br>
Petaluma, CA 94953<br>
Cell: 707-321-2937<br>
Office: 707-789-9537<br>
Fax: 707-769-9037</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "sans-serif"; font-weight: bold;">From:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "sans-serif";"> Eric Andrews <eric@ecosolarnow.com><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> RE-wrenches
<re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Tue, March 30, 2010 10:25:45
AM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Supply
Side Tap Overcurrent Protection<br>
</span></font><span style=""><br style="">
<br style="">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">Nick-</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">Just downsize the main breaker.
For example, a 200 amp panel w/ a 200 amp main breaker could be reduced to a
150 amp main breaker to allow for more solar to be connected. You need to
calculate for the 120% rule.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);"> </span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" color="#c00000" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">Eric R. Andrews</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 8pt; color: black;">NABCEP Certified PV Installer</span></font></p>
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