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Solar ABCs Newsletter
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February 2008
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Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings
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March 24, 2pm EDT
Interconnection and Net Metering Panel (conference call)
March 25, 2pm EDT
Local Codes Study Panel (conference call)
June 2-4
National and Insternational Standards Panel (Golden, CO)
Click on link to see full agenda for each meeting and to register. Space for each meeting is limited.
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Greetings!
Welcome to the February newsletter for the Solar America Board for Codes
and Standards (Solar ABCs). In this newsletter you will learn about
several of the issues Solar ABCs is addressing including guidelines for PV and fire safety, external disconnect switch, and proporsals for the next revision of the National Electrical Code. Ten Standard and Code related studies are underway throughout Solar ABCs and you will learn how you can participate in meetings to review the the draft reports from these studies. There
will be two conference call Stakeholder Meetings in March and a three-day National and International Standards meeting in June in Colorado. Look for the details and sign-up for the ones in which you have
an interest. Space is limited. If you want to play an active role in discussion, debate, and the preparation of position statements and policies, you may sign up to become an active member
of one or more panels. The Solar ABCs is organized into five different
panels with each having responsibility for different topics related to
specific codes or standards. Let me know if you have any suggestions for future newsletters or any other comments for Solar ABCs.
Sincerely,  Larry Sherwood
Project Administrator Solar ABCs
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 California PV Guidelines for Fire Safety
Since the last Solar ABCs Newsletter, there have been several meetings to finalize the initial California PV Guideline for Fire Safety.
Primary topics of discussion at these meetings were:
1.) clear walkways on rooftops;
2.) areas to ventilate roofs;
3.) methods to protect firefighters from energized conductors; and,
4.) warning signs to provide adequate warning to firefighters.
The resulting guidelines from these meetings have focused on the required area on rooftops for access of firefighters to the roof and to ventilation requirements for residential and commercial rooftops. Read on.
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Draft Proposals for 2011 National Electrical Code
The Building Electrical Codes Panel through the PV Industry Forum has circulated a draft of 17 initial proposals for Article 690 in the 2011 NEC. These proposals will be refined based on Forum input and other proposals will be added. Revised drafts will be circulated every two to three weeks as warranted by Forum inputs.
Click here to view the current draft proposals (look near the bottom of the page). Revised drafts will be posted at this same location.
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Advisory Committee Appointed
The Solar ABCs Steering Committee appointed the following people to the Advisory Committee:
- Jim Baak, Pacific Gas & Electric (also representing Solar Electric Power Association)
- Suzanne Borek, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
- Nick Chaset, California Public Utilities Commission
- Adam Detrick, SunPower Corp.
- Mark Dougherty, Long Island Power Authority
- Smita Gupta, California Energy Commission
- Edwin Iracki, DuPont
- Tom McCalmont, ReGrid Power
- Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Association
- Peter Varadi, Consultant
- Donald Warfield, BP Solar
The Advisory Committee was empaneled to formally bring regular input from different sectors of the PV community into the Solar ABCs activities and review process. The Advisory Committee will provide recommendations to the Steering Committee on solar codes and standards issues, elect one member to the ABCs Steering Committee, and provide valuable support to the Panels in completion of their respective deliverables. Their first meeting was in late February.
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Comment on Interconnection and Net Metering Draft Studies
The Interconnection and Net Metering Panel is working on the following studies:
- Time of Use, Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Net Metering: This paper uses scenario planning to consider what is happening with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) today, what we think might happen and, most importantly, what we want to have happen. This analysis will enable us to anticipate how AMI could change the financial relationship between utilities and small distributed generators; and, what laws and regulations need to be put in place to support this industry segment until it can become self-sustaining.
- Disconnect Switch: This report highlights why the utility external disconnect switch should not be required and describes how utilities should adopt the "best practices" as exemplified by utilities and states that are already experienced in connecting PV systems to the grid.
- Grading of Model Interconnection Standards: This study will analyze IREC, NARUC, MADRI and FERC's Small Generator Interconnection Procedure model interconnection standards using grading criteria developed by coalition of industry experts and published in Freeing the Grid - 2007. Recommendations will include refinements to the IREC model and the "Freeing the Grid" grading methodology. The report will provide a useful document for state utility commissioners and staff developing interconnection standards.
The Panel invites well-informed stakeholders to discuss these topics at a conference call meeting on March 24 at 2pm EST. Click the link to see the agenda for the stakeholder meeting and to register. Registered participants will receive the draft reports prior to the meeting and should be prepared to discuss them.
The Panel held a Stakeholder Meeting in December to discuss the outlines for these studies. The presentations minutes from that meeting are posted here.
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Comment on Local Codes Draft Studies
The Local Codes Study Panel is working on the following studies:
- Fast Permitting:
This activity will focus on developing the procedures and
recommendations to facilitate timely and efficient permitting of PV
systems by building inspectors and other jurisdiction officials.
- Solar Access and Solar Rights Laws:
This study will involve a comprehensive review of solar access rights
in 50 states, identification of solar friendly and favorable statutes
and regulations, and development of model statutes with solar access
and solar rights for promotion in key states.
- High Wind Loads and Model Code:
This study will cover a review of the wind load requirements on the Gulf
Coast and Eastern seaboard and their applicability to PV array
attachments. The focus will be on the identification of high wind
permeable and resilient installations that allow adjustments of design
wind loads.
The Panel invites well-informed stakeholders to discuss these topics at a conference call meeting on March 25 at 2pm EST. Click the link to see the agenda for the stakeholder meeting and to register.
The Panel held a Stakeholder Meeting in December to discuss the outlines for these studies. The minutes from that meeting are posted here.
Read on for more details on the plans for the Local Codes Study Panel. |
PV/CPV Products Standards Study Panel Investigates
Existing PV Cell Performance and CPV Safety Documents
The Products Standards Study Panel is currently compiling and reconciling all major test procedures and minimum requirements for two major product areas: PV cell performance and Concentrating PV safety. The standardized test procedures and minimum pass requirements thus developed by this study panel will then be recommended, to the IEC and/or IEEE standards' committees, for the implementation in the standards.
PV Cell Performance
Recent improvements in performance and changes in the form factors including the thickness of cells have reasonably prompted the module manufacturers to develop procurement specifications for the pre-qualification of the PV cells. The PV cell performance study aims to assist the module manufacturers in identifying suitable alternative sources through establishing the supply chain procurement specifications. In this literature search, several related documents, standards and protocols are being investigated, including: SEMI standards, PV GAP's Blank Detailed Specifications, EN standards, VDE standards, IEC standards, and module manufacturers' cell procurement specifications. If you are a module manufacturer and are willing to share your cell procurement specifications for the benefit of the overall industry, please send them by e-mail to Mani G. Tamizhmani.
Concentrating PV Safety
For the design qualification and type approval of CPV modules, there are two standards that exist: IEEE 1513 (2001) and IEC 62108 (2007). However, there exists no national or international safety standard for the CPV modules. The CPV safety study aims to develop standardized procedures for the implementation in an accepted safety standard. These procedures will be based on several documents and standards, including: IEC-Working Group 7 draft safety standard, UL 1703, IEC 61730, IEEE 1513 and IEC 62108.
Gap Analysis
In addition to the above two study areas, this panel also contributes to the gap analysis related to product standards including the accelerated life testing of PV modules and the pre-qualification of encapsulants through participation in DOE/NREL/Sandia organized workshops and ASTM/IEC standards committees. Over the next few months, this panel will develop the comprehensive test procedures. If you are interested in actively contributing to the development of these procedures or contributing to the gap analysis of the product standards, please send an e-mail to Mani G. Tamizh-Mani.
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National and International Standards Panel Stakeholder Meetings
NISC Panel Conference Call, January 16
A conference call for the National and International Standards Coordination Panel (NISC) stakeholders was held on January 16. More than 30 individuals representing product manufacturers, system integrators, utilities, energy commissions and industry organizations, and researchers listened to presentations on IEC, IEEE and ASTM standards development activities. The goal of the meeting was to introduce new players in the US PV Industry to these standards bodies and solicit participation. A detailed 3-day meeting is being planned for early June (see next item below). The presentations from the meeting and notes are posted here.
NISC Panel meeting June 2-4, 2008, Golden CO
This meeting will introduce prospective participants to the primary standards development committees and will provide an opportunity for existing committee members to catch up on the latest activities. ASTM, IEC, and IEEE PV standards development activities will be discussed on successive days. For more information, use the link here.
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NREL Releases Report on External Disconnect Switch
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a new report entitled, Utility Interconnected PV Systems: Evaluating the Rationale for the Utility Accessible External Disconnect Switch.
This report says that while requiring an external disconnect switch for utility-connected residential and small commercial PV systems may have been prudent policy a decade ago, today's UL and IEEE standards effectively address the concerns of even the most conservative utilities and regulators. Additionally, the redundant nature of the external disconnect switch is likely to become even more evident as the following factors intensify:
- Legislatures and regulators escalate the pressure upon utilities to remove barriers against PV installations so that state-level RPS and GHG targets can be achieved;
- Safety practices and rules get re-evaluated in light of technological advances and regulatory changes;
- Both utilities and customers increasingly desire to reduce the administrative burden and cost of disconnect switches; and,
- Increasing utility experience with PV systems that demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of UL-listed inverters.
At least eight state public utility commissions (Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Utah) agree, and have eliminated the external disconnect switch requirements for systems that meet certain criteria. And, at least nine other PUCs have left the external disconnect switch decision up to the utilities.
Thanks to Joan Ward, North Carolina Solar Center for this summary.
For more information contact Michael Coddington at NREL.
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IEEE Standards Ballot Actions
(Contact Thomas Basso, 303 275-3753)
IEEE standards balloting will open soon for the two ballot actions listed below. Visit the IEEE web site for frequently asked questions about IEEE balloting. The IEEE Standards Liaison representative is Bill Ash in Piscataway, NJ,
phone 732 465 5828.
(1) If you would like to participate in IEEE Standards Sponsor Ballot P1547.2 Title: "Application Guide for IEEE Standard 1547, Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems" you must enroll as a member of the ballot group. The P1547.2 ballot group invitation period will reopen March 3 (ending March 10). This is a ballot for a new standard.
(2) If you would like to participate in IEEE Standards Sponsor Ballot 1547-2003 Title: "IEEE Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems" you must enroll as a member of the ballot group by March 20, 2008, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. This is a ballot reaffirmation for an existing standard.
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IEC TC 82 to Meet in San Francisco
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Technical Committee 82 Solar Photovoltaic Energy System (TC82) will meet May 19-23, 2008 in San Francisco CA. The meeting includes two days of parallel working group sessions, a technical tour, and a two-day plenary session. For IEC TC82 delegates and WG members. Limited space is available for guests from the US PV industry; we are seeking sponsorships to help offset the meeting cost.
The Scope of TC82 is "To prepare international standards for systems of
photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electrical energy and for
all the elements in the entire photovoltaic energy system." The
"dashboard" for accessing TC82 information is found here. IEC TC82
comprises five working groups (covering Glossary, non-concentrating and
concentrator modules, systems and balance of system components) and a
joint committee working group on decentralized rural electrification.
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