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<p>I think the real point is: even with on site inspections they
often don't know what they are looking at, and do not have time or
manpower to keep up with the latest in solar industry practices.
I've seen just horrible stuff that passed inspection, including a
battery cabinet completely blocked by another piece of equipment.</p>
<p>With busy construction schedules, many inspectors have to trust
that an installer that has been in business for a really long time
like you have been William, knows what they are doing, and can be
trusted to a certain extent. I've gotten to a point with repeat
inspectors that really don't open every box, and look at
everything. They trust us.<br>
</p>
<p>Further, when I take on a repair or replacement project, we often
think we've checked everything, only to find some grossly
negligent connection or wiring scheme that we just didn't catch at
first, because it was so out of the ordinary. How about a #4
ground wire that looks properly attached at the electrode and back
at the main AC panel, but turned out to be not connected in the
wall.....in a J box that had been plastered over.<br>
</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760</pre>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 3/31/21 12:48 PM, William Miller
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:bdc22ef2d74d89b8f577b335e245776b@mail.gmail.com">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Friends:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">We
just finished a <a
href="https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/Portfolio/Rework/BIG-SUR-SERVICE/Big_Sur_Service_Upgrade.html"
moz-do-not-send="true">grid-tied project</a> that included
a pretty complicated service upgrade. The project is in
Monterey County, California. The site is pretty remote on
the south end of the Big Sur coastline and Highway 1 is
closed (as is not uncommon) to the north with a washout.
This makes it time consuming for an inspector to reach the
site, but even without the washout the travel time is
measured in hours.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Days
in advance we scheduled the final inspection on the building
department web-site as is SOP and were awarded a slot for
yesterday. Yesterday morning an inspector called at 7:30 AM
to announce they were too busy to make the appointment.
Instead I was directed to take a series of photographs to
verify the validity of our installation work. Below is the
list they provided. Note how vague the requirements are,
particularly the fifth one. I was told that this process
will be standard operation procedure for the County of
Monterey in the near future for solar installs. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">This
seems wrong to me. I can\u2019t believe that any collection of
photographs can accurately portray if even the most simple
photovoltaic system, let alone one with a 300 amp CT service
and 400 amp transfer switch, is installed correctly. I know
in the 1980s the solar water heating industry had acquired a
collective black-eye due to shoddy installation procedures
and I fear this is where the PV industry may be headed. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">I
submitted a handful of photos and was granted a final
approval. I have very mixed feelings about this \u201csuccess.\u201d
I feel like I cheated on a test. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">I
am curious if any of you have had a similar experience to
this. As always I am informed and sometimes amused by what
I learn on this forum.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">List
of requested photographs:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> PV module
model number, quantity, and location according to the approved
plan. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> Roof
penetrations flashed/sealed according to the approved plan. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> Array exposed
cables are properly secured, supported, and routed to prevent
physical damage. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span>
Grounding/bonding of rack and modules according to the
manufacturer\u2019s installation instructions. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> Equipment
installed, listed and labeled according to the approved plan
(e.g., PV modules, dc/dc converters, combiners, inverters,
rapid shutdown equipment). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> Overcurrent
devices are the type and size according to the approved plan.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> Disconnects
according to the approved plan and properly located as
required by the NEC. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> PV system
markings, labels and signs according to the approved plan. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> Connection of
the PV system to the grounding electrode system according to
the approved plan. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> Access and
working space for operation and maintenance of PV equipment
such as inverters, disconnecting means and panelboards (not
required for PV modules) [NEC 110.26]. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI
Symbol","sans-serif"">\u2610</span> The rapid
shutdown system is installed and operational according to the
approved plan [NEC 690.12].</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">William
Miller</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Miller
Solar</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">17395
Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">805-438-5600</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><a
href="http://www.millersolar.com/" moz-do-not-send="true">www.millersolar.com</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">CA
Lic. 773985</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<br>
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