<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Of course, I provide the CAD drawing with the string sizes listed, the volts, amps, wire sizing, conduit, and breaker panel specs, label details, percentage of bussbar ratings, THWN-2, and an enormous amount of other details. I do it for my crew, not for the plan checker. It takes an expert to know the difference between an expert and an amateur installer, but <span style="font-weight: bold;">the plan checker is not the expert, </span>and will not be able to determine if;<br> - you sized the Vmp to the Average Ambient High Temp (as most manus do???) or to the 30 year high. <br> - They can't verify that the string sizing accounts for degradation of voltage over the life of the system, or<br>- That the AC voltage drop is adequate to prevent nuisance shut-offs from high
voltages<br> <span style="font-weight: bold;">So as long as the plan checker can verify that a CAD roof layout has been provided, and other general permit requirements are met, then let us have the permit over the counter at a reasonable fee</span>.<br><div> </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 face="Tahoma" size="2"><hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> William Miller <william@millersolar.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, June 15, 2010
6:02:19 PM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [RE-wrenches] electrical permit requirements<br></font><br>
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<font size="3">Nick:<br><br>
Rhetorical questions to follow:<br><br>
If you do not provide string calculations, how do you verify that Voc
will not exceed NEC limits? How do you verify DC feeder
ampacities? Does your jurisdiction not verify such
parameters? We know you have a handle on these factors, but
how about the Johnny-come-latelies trying to take your business?
Should they not be kept to uniform standards meant to protect the safety
of the consumer (and ensure fair competition)?<br><br>
Can you really expect a field inspector or the customer to verify these
parameters? I believe all of these issues are best handled by
stringent plan check.<br><br>
What is more important to you: saving a few bucks in permit fees or
preventing house fires?<br><br>
William Miller<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
At 05:01 PM 6/15/2010, you wrote:<br>
</font><blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite=""><font size="3">Hi Jeff:<br>
My standard permit docs are comprehensive, but do not
include documentation regarding string sizing, thank goodness. A
permit technician/ plan reviewer should not be overseeing string
sizing. You should be thankful that the permit fees are so low,
because that is the best thing a jurisdiction could do to support
PV! <br>
Any fly-by-night, incompetent installer can check
string sizing on the inverter manu's web site. I would suspect
that, regardless of the plan review process, the less experienced
installers will still be accountable to the inspector and their
customer.<br>
<br>
Nick Soleil</font></blockquote><meta http-equiv="x-dns-prefetch-control" content="on"></div></div>
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