Public inputs for the changes to the 2017 National Electrical Code Revision Cycle are due November 7, 2014 if submitted to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on-line.  The first draft of code changes will be posted for public comment on July 17, 2015.  Solar ABCs is facilitating a group of stakeholders working to submit consensus recommendations for changes to the code.  At an April meeting in Golden, CO, the group reviewed over 100 stakeholder proposals and formed eight focused Task Groups to further develop consensus proposals.  The Task Groups are Rapid Shutdown, Disconnecting Means, Ground-Fault Protection, Modules with Integrated Electronics, Energy Storage, Arc Fault Protection, Section 47(A-D)(Grounding Electrode System), and Utility Scale.  The tasks groups are meeting regularly via webinars, conference calls, and email.  A final face-to-face meeting is planned for September. 

One important spin-off from the Utility Scale task group is the planned formation of a NFPA sanctioned task group that will oversee and likely expand the Solar ABCs task group to areas other than Article 690 (PV Systems) and 705 (Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources).

Contact Larry Sherwood  for more information on this process.  The NFPA website gives the full NEC revision cycle schedule and instructions for submitting proposals.

The new fire classification rating test for PV systems was adopted into UL Standard 1703 in October 2013. In May 2014, a revision was adopted that clarifies some issues and defines more module types in the standard. The new test is a fire classification test for the system including the module, rack and roofing material. The old fire classification test just evaluated the module. Information on the development of this new test can be found in the Solar ABCs Report, Fire Classification Rating Testing of Stand-Off Mounted Photovoltaic Modules and Systems.

As the 2014 International Building Code is adopted, the PV industry will need to use this new fire classification rating test to comply with the code, especially for building types and regions that require Class A or Class B roof systems. The California Buildings Standards Commission delayed the implementation of this requirement until January 1, 2015. You can see their ruling here.

In 2013, Solar ABCs and the UL Fire Laboratory conducted fire classification tests on industry solutions. These tests were intended to test generic systems. The results are published in several UL reports posted on the Solar ABCs web site.

Solar ABCs is planning a stakeholder meeting to review the experience with the new fire classification test and make recommendations on the next steps on this issue including education and communication. For information, contact Larry Sherwood.

Solar ABCs is conducting a gap analysis to identify the most urgent and important needs for PV codes and standards. If you have a topic you think is an important need for PV codes and standards, please send it to Larry Sherwood.

The goal of PVQAT is to define a concept for creation of standards that allow stakeholders to quickly assess a module's ability to withstand regional stresses, thereby reducing risk and adding confidence for those developing products, designing incentive programs, and determining private investments.

PVQAT created 11 Task Groups to develop standard recommendations including a new group on PV systems. They encourage participation by all types of stakeholders including PV customers, incentive programs, investors, insurance companies, PV manufacturers, PV test labs, and PV standards organizations. Visit the PVQAT web site for more information. 

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Conformity Assessment Board (CAB) recently approved the formation of a Conformity Assessment System, known as IECRE, for the unique needs of the renewable energy industry. The new IECRE System will develop and operate international certification schemes for the solar PV, wind and marine energy sectors to ensure performance, increased market access, and support the continued growth of global energy production from renewable sources. It is expected that most renewable energy systems will need international certification, and the IECRE System will satisfy this need. The U.S. National Committee will host the first meeting of the Renewable Energy Management Committee on September 15-18 in Boulder, CO. Anyone interested in attending or sponsoring this meeting can contact George Kelly. For more information visit the IECRE web site.