| Solar ABCs Report and Webinar: Photovoltaic System Grounding
The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) has released a report, Photovoltaic System Grounding. The report explains what grounding is and defines different types of grounding. It also describes existing National Electrical Code® (NEC®) grounding requirements in some detail, explains the basics of grounding PV equipment and systems, and notes the U.S. organizations responsible for developing and publishing grounding and safety standards.
In addition, the report discusses grounding requirements for equipment such as microinverters and AC PV modules, and clarifies the differences between PV system and conventional electrical power systems (utility, generator, or battery sourced) grounding requirements. Finally, it includes an explanation of utility and NEC® grounding requirements.
The Solar ABCs held a stakeholder webinar on November 8, 2012 to provide an opportunity to bring questions for a discussion about this report. You can download the webinar presentation, as well as the audio/video recording.
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Solar ABCs Webinar: Expedited Permit Process - Revision 2
The Solar ABCs held a stakeholder webinar on September 25, 2012 to provide an overview of the revised report entitled, Expedited Permit Process for PV Systems - A Standardized Process for the Review of Small-Scale PV Systems, which includes new information for micro-inverters and AC modules as well as several new diagrams and calculations. The report also includes new fillable forms to use with the Expedited Permit Process for the four PV systems covered in the report. The forms can be used in jurisdictions that have adopted the Expedited Permit Process for PV Systems, and can be filled out electronically and submitted in either printed form and via email. The forms are also supplied so that the supplied information is standardized and legible for the local jurisdiction. You can download the webinar presentation, as well as the audio/video recording. |
2014 National Electrical Code® - Report on Comments Review Meeting
Comments on the Code Making Panel's (CMP) Report on Proposals (ROP) were due on October 17, 2012. The ROP contains a draft of the proposed changes for the 2014 NEC®. The CMPs held a meeting November 28, 2012 through December 8, 2012 to review all the comments. The CMP determined which comments will be accepted in whole or part, rejected, or held for the next review cycle. A Report on Comments will be posted on the NFPA website on March 22, 2013. |
UL 1703 - Proposal for New Fire Classification Test
Work continues to develop a new fire classification test for photovoltaic systems in the UL 1703 standard. Draft language for the new test was open for comment in November and over 45 comments were received. Currently a revised UL 1703 standard proposal is being developed. The current plan is that the revised standard proposal will be sent to the UL 1703 Standard Technical Panel for ballot early in 2013. Solar ABCs is now beginning work on an Industry Solutions project intended to identify generic installation designs that are most likely to preserve the roof classification with PV modules installed. These designs will be tested in the UL test lab. Analysis of the data will be summarized and contained in a report along with details of the construction and installation. The report will be made public, shared with industry, authorities having jurisdiction and other stakeholders. Once demonstrated as successful, manufacturers could include the installation details or generic baffle systems in their installation instructions and used by certifiers as the basis for installation approval. Ultimately the data may be used as substantiation for code proposals. Contact Larry Sherwood if you want additional information on this issue. |
| Proposal Deadline for 2015 IFC and IRC
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