Square D probably has a similar "solar-ready" panel; I remember seeing
some monster (4' tall? they were big) Cutler Hammer panelboards at SPI
2010 that had it too. On my house I have a Square D RC2M200S which has
simply a 200A main plus a 2P 50A breaker (perfect for PV). This is a
much smaller enclosure (18"H x 20"W) than some others I've seen, but
with limited functionality; no load breakers can be added here which can
be a problem when using it in a retrofit.
This is an issue for the combination service entrance devices as the
conductors from the utility meter load terminals to the main breaker are
factory-installed and can't be touched. I did an inspection two years
ago where the installing contractor's solution was to interconnect the
PV on the utility side of the meter. This is not a solution.
If the issue is that "nobody is allowing line side" connections then
you're sorta stuck. As for why the AHJ wouldn't allow it, they should be
willing to share their justification with you! If the issue is as
Jeffrey's encountered-- they're requiring listed enclosures where
line-side connections are made-- then you can get around it either with
these Milbank dual lugs
http://www.milbankmfg.com/products/Catalogs/CatalogFiles/PDF/K4977.pdf#Tap%20Connector
or the aforementioned Cutler Hammer or Square D panels. It may be that
they've heard about the "listed enclosure" requirement and naively
generalized it beyond code requirements. If they're asking for service
upgrades, then perhaps they're thinking that a 200A service + 100A PV
requires a 300A service-- if it's not battery backup, a simple power
flow diagram may prove to them that a 200A service is perfectly adequate.
On 2012/5/19 17:52, JRQ wrote:
I had a similar problem working in San Diego. SDG&E insisted that no
taps could be performed in an enclosure unless the contractor could
supply documentation that the enclosure was specifically listed for a
tap, or if an electrical engineer supplied stamped drawings of the tap.
I never did a project that warranted hiring an engineer, so I don't know
what they were looking for there.
I heard that Square D (or maybe it was one of the other companies) has a
new "solar-ready" service panel with a lug on the line side for a solar
input. You could use the same feeders and service size with a new panel.
Jeffrey Quackenbush
NABCEP certified PV installer
Peripatetic Solar Technician
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* James Rudolph <[email protected]>
*To:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]>
*Sent:* Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:48 PM
*Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Line side taps in Hawai'i
Aloha Wrenches,
I have recently started working in Hawaii on the island of Oahu and have
run into some interesting problems with the AHJ's. The biggest issue is
nobody is allowing line side taps on the island, so most of are larger
systems are requiring service upgrades, this also requires replacing the
feeder of course and plenty of trenching which adds so much time and
cost to the whole process.. Now I know Bill Brooks was on island
recently and and this seems to have done no good. I was wondering if
anybody can shed some light on this issue and the reasons why they would
not allow this code compliant option. This is allowed on commercial
systems here just not residential to be clear.
And If your out there Bill, do you have any suggestions on how to
approach this matter with the local inspectors???
Mahalo,
--
*
James B Rudolph*
*Heleakala Solar* *
*
*Director of Construction*
*NABCEP Certified PV Installer*
*
*
*
*
*
*Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer
fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous
fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers
more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!
- William McDonough
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