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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div class="WordSection1"><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">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/">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></body></html>