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Decommission plan for batteries...

doox00

New Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2023
Messages
199
Location
US-MI
I just had the inspector out here for an inspection of my solar install (not final the final inspection). He said starting earlier this year Michigan requires a decommission plan for your batteries. He said I am the first person this year he has had to deal with this himself. Anyone familiar with this and how do you go about getting one in place?
 
First I've heard of this. What are they looking for?
It has to be approved with the power company or something, I dunno lol (this is not a grid tied system either btw, has grid as backup but not back feeding) and some department in the state, I don't remember which one he mentioned.. he said it is not legal to transport those batteries unless they are discharged to a certain voltage and you need a plan on how/where you are going to recycle them when they are end of life.. seems nuts to me but what can ya do lol.
 
If you don't want to fight it just for the sake of fighting it. Consider just documenting the basics and calling it a plan. No need to overthink things. I don't like to stop anyone from fighting the machine, so if you would rather fight it, carry on. If not:

Plan:
-Battery charge during transport not to exceed 30% of rated capacity
-package batteries for transport with 1" of packing material on all sides
-transport to nearest lithium battery recycling center

We have battery stores by us that take them now. List one of those for now. If things change, they change.

I would recommend against the fancifully worded AI plan because if you ever have to execute on it, you want it to be real, and basic.
 
If you don't want to fight it just for the sake of fighting it. Consider just documenting the basics and calling it a plan. No need to overthink things. I don't like to stop anyone from fighting the machine, so if you would rather fight it, carry on. If not:

Plan:
-Battery charge during transport not to exceed 30% of rated capacity
-package batteries for transport with 1" of packing material on all sides
-transport to nearest lithium battery recycling center

We have battery stores by us that take them now. List one of those for now. If things change, they change.

I would recommend against the fancifully worded AI plan because if you ever have to execute on it, you want it to be real, and basic.
Yes but since it is bureaucracy something simple may not "seem" adequate in their pea brains.

So have AI dress up "
Plan:
-Battery charge during transport not to exceed 30% of rated capacity
-package batteries for transport with 1" of packing material on all sides
-transport to nearest lithium battery recycling center"

so it makes them happy wouldn't be the way to go. 🤷‍♂️
 
I'd ask him what the requirement is - rule, law, etc. that you have to conform to - so you can check it out and figure out how to fill it out correctly and/or see what certified professional has to sign off on it.

Then look up whatever regulations he points you toward and see if they actually apply to you.
 
it's just a check box thing,
does the home owner have an end of life battery plan *yes*
\check.
next.

Makes ya think though,
we should start a virtual battery recycling business - for a small fee you can reference our company in your battery recycling end of life plan,
we provide all the required regulations and how the batteries are to be packaged and shipped, we will issue a address for shipping the works...
then we plan to close the company in 20 years...before we take any shippments.

also makes you think - if you have lead-acid batteries do they still require the plan?
 
If you don't want to fight it just for the sake of fighting it. Consider just documenting the basics and calling it a plan. No need to overthink things. I don't like to stop anyone from fighting the machine, so if you would rather fight it, carry on. If not:

Plan:
-Battery charge during transport not to exceed 30% of rated capacity
-package batteries for transport with 1" of packing material on all sides
-transport to nearest lithium battery recycling center

I'd go with less specifics and just reference back to their requirements.
-Discharge battery to meet/exceed required transportation
-Transport to authorized recycling in accordance with specifications

Just because you've got a plan now doesn't mean you'll be able to follow any of it when time comes. If they need you to list a recycler, Google is your friend.
 
The inspector never mentioned the decommission plan during final. After he mentioned it to me when inspecting the trenches the first time he was here I later that day did some searches and could not find anything other than 50 mega watt installs had to have one, I texted him asking if he could let me know where the info was about it because I could not find anything about it and he said he would get back to me, never did so I think he was mistaken.
 
The inspector never mentioned the decommission plan during final. After he mentioned it to me when inspecting the trenches the first time he was here I later that day did some searches and could not find anything other than 50 mega watt installs had to have one, I texted him asking if he could let me know where the info was about it because I could not find anything about it and he said he would get back to me, never did so I think he was mistaken.

Time to up your game!
 
I think the lesson to learn here is, they like to push stuff that actually isn't law. Does anyone ever remember the California smog impact fee? One day, a lawyer looked into it and discovered it was not ever put into law. California had to pay back everyone that ever paid it.

These gov entities need to be constantly checked. Always ask for the details or statute info if you can't find it. Make sure they are acting within the law and also the proper authority given by law. Its all about over reach now a days.
 

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