Going Solar

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Much of my most usefull info came from John Wiles collection at IAEI
http://www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/Photovoltaics/Codes-Stds/C-S-Resources.html?agree=agree

And Sandia NEC_PV_HANDBOOKS
http://www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/Photovoltaics/Codes-Stds/PVnecSugPract.html

The NEC's 690 installation methods offer an opportunity for cost improvements with the right engineering supervision. The project I'm on has engineering, but everything is spec'd Xantrex. Keep us posted. We will be learning and taking our lumps together.
 
iwire said:
Not sure, I am getting training on the installtion of the products but I want to know more about the electrical design end as a lot of that is being placed on my shoulders.
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Why would they ask you to participate in the design when you have very little backround on the topic?

How large is the install?

Is your shop responsible or is there an engineer to work with?
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Why would they ask you to participate in the design when you have very little backround on the topic?
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Because I am an electrician, it is electrical work and I am really very good at whatever they ask of me. :cool:

How large is the install?
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The one I am working on now is 280 panels.

Is your shop responsible or is there an engineer to work with?
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Both.

There is an engineer involved with the structural issues, there is another involved with the lay out, placement and numbers of panels and specifying the equipment.

This is not rocket science and no one knows how to do something until they do it. My end of it is proper conductor sizing, OCP, grounding etc. Basiclly the NEC compliance end of it. Even if all those items where already specified I would want to know the reasons why.

All work will be permitted, inspected and scrutinized highly as there are govt. rebates involved.
 
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rexowner said:
It's good to see more professionals, like those on this forum,
get more involved and specifically knowledgable, on both
the installation and especially inspection side. As PV
moves from relatively more "off-grid / remote" to more
mainstream utility interactive installs, and genuine E.C.'s
get involved, I am hoping this gets better.
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Thats the plan for us, we want to do professional solar installs.

That is why I was so happy to get so much good information here. :smile:
 
e57 said:
..out here they are installed by YAHOO's for the most part, who dominate the market - little or no code compliance whatsoever. ..I point in the direction of the nearest hippy whenever an inspector is looking to have words with someone on their installations.

..I would like to know more - but have a hard time stomaching protein deficient hack Eco Fascist's telling me about electrical work with a 'hollier than thou' additude. I can bear it from you though.... :D
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I love this statement, since my solar installation environment has been described perfectly, and my dilemma of how to explain this business to the inspector has been solved. Now this forum has truely helped me deal with a situation that has been just as pressing to comprehend as design and equipment selection.

As my next code suggestion goes disregarded --with my mind now at ease-- I can simply immitate a monkey humping a football and make silly faces.

While this act is a drastic paradigm shift from my code-thumping origins on this forum, if it expresses my true feelings in a rediculous enough manner, maybe it will generate enough amuzement for the hippy's & me to be happy laughing at each other.
 
Roger,

I basically agree with you and e57. When I first started looking
at solar about a year ago, I went to look at an install a couple
miles from my house that had been written up in a magazine
as some kind of genius innovation. I didn't have to get
out of my car to see multiple code violations. What a POS.

I am curious if the installs you guys are referring to are
commercial or residential. Most of the installs I have
seen are residential, and indeed a high % are lousy.
My Pollyannish theory is that the larger commercial
installs are more professional and better scrutinized.

FWIW, in California the 2007 breakup of applications for Solar
rebates breaks down as follows:
Type-------- Qty-- %qy MW- %MW AvgSize
Residential 6,712 89% 32- 15% 4.7kW
Non-residn 829-- 11% 213 85% 213kW
So, the small minority of installs (non-residential)
account for the vast majority of power capacity.
I would guess that the non-residential are also
generally much better done.
 
rexowner said:
I am curious if the installs you guys are referring to are
commercial or residential.
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The projects I'm on are commercial rooftops, from 0.5 to 1.2 MW. The electrical work has been done by NECA contractors, until recently when hippies were hired. There first attempt won't be finished for several more weeks.

The last NECA job has repeatedly failed commissioning for several reasons, not all the contractors fault. Panels are burning up, combiner boxes exploding, disconnects not DC rated, etc.. This is a relatively new business for everybody.
 
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