ArthurEld
Solar Wizard
I am hoping to use 18". That area is the most used and has the least shade.
The inspection was last Tuesday morning. I walked around with him and then left for a 4 day hunt on an island. Just now catching back up.When is inspection? How did you handle rapid shutdown in the end?
RSD is NEC, so AFAIK unless you're a ground mount it should be required everywhere. Possibly the county hasn't adopted NEC 2014 yet or it doesn't apply for some other reason?Is all of Florida able to skip RSD?
How's the progress of your battery bank? I'm curious what BMS you end up using. Thanks!The inspection was last Tuesday morning. I walked around with him and then left for a 4 day hunt on an island. Just now catching back up.
Since the code didn't require the RSD, I took advantage of not having them installed. I need to get them back out to connect the loads and turn it on.
I have started the net-metering process.
Today, I brought the batteries out to the cabinet. I need to add compression and bus bars, so there is some work for me to do as well.
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..or based on the purview of the local inspector. In our area the local inspector can make adjustments ad-hoc to the code / compliance.RSD is NEC, so AFAIK unless you're a ground mount it should be required everywhere. Possibly the county hasn't adopted NEC 2014 yet or it doesn't apply for some other reason?
My jurisdiction has not adopted NEC 2014, so no RSD required. I considered pushing the issue and having them install them, but I knew the system would be grandfathered and by the time I do anything to be required to meet the new code, the RSDs would need to be replaced anyway. There is a cutoff for the PV by the main service panel.RSD is NEC, so AFAIK unless you're a ground mount it should be required everywhere. Possibly the county hasn't adopted NEC 2014 yet or it doesn't apply for some other reason?
Be careful what you wish WRT RSD there is a push by installers to revert back pre RSD due to ongoing safety issues being discovered.My jurisdiction has not adopted NEC 2014, so no RSD required. I considered pushing the issue and having them install them, but I knew the system would be grandfathered and by the time I do anything to be required to meet the new code, the RSDs would need to be replaced anyway. There is a cutoff for the PV by the main service panel.
Be careful what you wish WRT RSD there is a push by installers to revert back pre RSD due to ongoing safety issues being discovered.
Pro’s Choice: Solar installers launch petition to change module-level shutdown
Scott Carman of Paragon Solar routinely sees burned out solar module connectors. Previously a solar installer, Carman has shifted to solely doing O&M work, which usually means replacing broken panels (they get a lot of hail in Colorado). Many of these jobs involve stranded systems installed by...solarbuildermag.com
If the problem is MC connectors failing and burning up, I don't think cutting the number of connectors in half (by eliminating RSD modules, or integrating them in junction box) is particularly useful. That only cuts the number of house fires in half.
If MC connectors are failing, I think their failure rate should be reduced by a factor of 100.
Disagree. Any additional hardware that is required for a setup offers an installer an automatic upsell and an opportunity for an additional item to be marked up. I saw it before I built my DIY setup when comparing quotes from 3 installers. No different than when you bring your car in for a brake job and the repair shop jacks the prices.In my opinion, these installers want to get rid of RSD to not have to take the time to install it and have their poorly done connections fail.
Really..? I am all for safety and would rather reduce any chance of a system failure or fire. Reducing the number 'moving pieces' tends to extend the overall performance / uptime of a device or system - Lusser Law.
Lusser's law - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Impossible. The only thing 100% certain is death and taxes ;-)
Disagree. Any additional hardware that is required for a setup offers an installer an automatic upsell and an opportunity for an additional item to be marked up. I saw it before I built my DIY setup when comparing quotes from 3 installers. No different than when you bring your car in for a brake job and the repair shop jacks the prices.
How does 13,900 home fires due to PV sound to you? I propose reducing that to 139 (not zero) by using connectors 100 times more reliable than the typical MC4 connector today. It is well known that connectors are the least reliable part of electronics.
What product(s) did you use for string-level? My small city is using NEC 2014, which requires string level. Thanks in advance ...I'm in Florida too. I did string level rapid shut down.
The inspector didn't know what it was. I probably could have gotten away without it too.
String level RSD doesn't cost much anyway.