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The Solar ABCs is a collaborative effort among experts to formally gather and prioritize input from the broad spectrum of photovoltaic stakeholders resulting in coordinated recommendations to codes and standards making bodies for existing and new solar technologies.
Solar ABCs Newsletter
December 2010
In This Issue
FERC Screen Report
Report from Solar ABCs Stakeholder Meeting
Multi-Segment Market Design Report
International Green Construction Code Available for Comment
2011 NEC Changes for PV
New Oregon Solar Code
Quick Links
Greetings!

Greetings!
 
Welcome to the December newsletter for the Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs).   The Solar ABCs Newsletter provides the latest news and information about solar codes and standard achievements, announcements, and events.
 
The Solar ABCs also provides industry and other interested organizations the opportunity to co-fund a Solar ABCs research study focused on a PV codes and standards issue. Co-funding participation provides organization direct access to PV codes and standards research and development. Current co-funding opportunities include: recommended protocol for accelerated aging testing, high wind loads and model code for PV arrays, snow load issues, other structural load issues, and grounding.  If you are interested contact me for more information.

Sincerely,
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Larry Sherwood
Project Administrator
Solar America Board for Codes and Standards
FERC Screen Report ReleasedFERC Screen Report

The Solar ABCs has released a new report entitled Updated Recommendations for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Small Generator Interconnection Procedure Screens,  which provides a status assessment of the current FERC SGIP technical screens and presents recommendations for updates.   A one-page summary and the report are available on the Solar ABCs web site.

Report from Solar ABCs Stakeholder Meeting

The Solar ABCs 2010 Annual Stakeholder Meeting was held in Las Angeles, California during the Solar Power International's post-conference workshop events on October 15, 2010.  PV manufacturers, sellers, buyers, users and regulators attended the workshop. Also in attendance were national and international codes and standards organizations, federal and state organizations, and municipalities.  The meeting provided an update and overview Solar ABCs projects and other PV codes and standards activities.   View or download the Stakeholder Meeting presentations.

Multi-Segment Market Design Report ReleasedMulti-Segment Design Report

The Solar ABCs has released the Sustainable, Multi-Segment Market Design for Distributed Solar Photovoltaics report.  This report discusses the important differences between retail and wholesale PV markets and provides examples of policies that have been implemented in the United States in both of these markets.  A one-page summary and the report are available on the Solar ABCs web site.

International Green Construction Code Available for Comment

The ICC has released the International Green Construction Code Version 2.0 for public comments.   Code change submittals are due January 3, 2011. Register to receive the IGCC Version 2.0 download.

2011 NEC Includes Changes for PV Systems

The 2011 NEC Code has been published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is now available from numerous sources.  It will be adopted automatically by some jurisdictions on January 1, 2011, and will be adopted throughout the country over the next three years or even longer in some areas that are slow to change.  Read highlights of PV related changes and purchase the 2011 Code or Handbook.

New Oregon Solar Code

The State of Oregon has just released the commentary version of a new statewide solar installation code: 2010 Oregon Solar Installation Specialty Code Commentary.  The primary purpose for releasing the commentary version is to clarify the intent and provide additional information.  The overall changes to Oregon's solar installation specialty code expedites the installation and permitting of photovoltaic (PV) systems.   This code includes fire classification requirements that are different than those included in the 2012 International Building Code.