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.
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.
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.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 3/31/21 12:48 PM, William Miller wrote:
Friends:
We just finished a grid-tied project
<https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/Portfolio/Rework/BIG-SUR-SERVICE/Big_Sur_Service_Upgrade.html>
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.
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.
This seems wrong to me. I can’t 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.
I submitted a handful of photos and was granted a final approval. I
have very mixed feelings about this “success.” I feel like I cheated
on a test.
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.
List of requested photographs:
☐ PV module model number, quantity, and location according to the
approved plan.
☐ Roof penetrations flashed/sealed according to the approved plan.
☐ Array exposed cables are properly secured, supported, and routed to
prevent physical damage.
☐ Grounding/bonding of rack and modules according to the
manufacturer’s installation instructions.
☐ Equipment installed, listed and labeled according to the approved
plan (e.g., PV modules, dc/dc converters, combiners, inverters,
rapid shutdown equipment).
☐ Overcurrent devices are the type and size according to the approved
plan.
☐ Disconnects according to the approved plan and properly located as
required by the NEC.
☐ PV system markings, labels and signs according to the approved plan.
☐ Connection of the PV system to the grounding electrode system
according to the approved plan.
☐ 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].
☐ The rapid shutdown system is installed and operational according to
the approved plan [NEC 690.12].
William Miller
Miller Solar
17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
CA Lic. 773985
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