Where to Find an Electrician for a Grid-Tie System - Not a Solar Installer

[MisterB1959]

i know it doesnt answer your question, but we have similar issues in the UK. i managed to get the electrician who works on our rental properties to do the parts of an additional inverter and battery install that required a 'competent' and qualified person, i did the rest, running cables, conduits etc and fixing 'things' to the wall, under his 'supervision'.

we have a process here in the UK that up until recently required all PV systems that are installed to feed back into the grid, had to be installed my MCIS registered installers, basically an organisation full of its own self importance as we have enough building and electrical regulations already in my opinion !!! They will not sanction pre used/ second hand equipment to be installed and gain 'accreditation'

However one major energy supplier, Octopus, has recently broken ranks and is allowing non MCIS accredited systems (and therefore pre used/second hand equipment) that are compliant with building regulations and the electrical regulations and are type approved etc, to be connected to the grid and receive payment for exported energy !

so i assume we in the UK will start seeing installs undertaken by suitably competent and qualified electricians more than we have done previously hopefully that will spread overseas and the 'specialist' companies and organisations will be forced to release their stranglehold .....

 

[OzSolar]

Any ideas beyond calling every one I can find until I get a bite?

So it's the interconnection agreement that's causing the problem? In my state it's either a licensed electrical engineer OR electrician that has to sign off on it. Know any EE's?

I've used Greenlancer.com to put together a few single line diagrams and have always been impressed. I've noticed that they offer a lot of services including full system design and supplying PE stamped drawings as needed.

They may have be able to help, it wouldn't hurt to check.

 

[teal95]

Keep hunting. I got really lucky finding a local electrician. I first had him replace the breaker box in the house and install the breaker box for my shop. During that I was asking him about wiring the shop. As this was 5 years ago when construction was really hot he finally told me that he was really busy and it would likely be months before he could get to me and it sounded like I could handle most of it. So I should do it myself and feel free to call him if I had questions. Subsequent projects have went the same. ie when we wired the hot tub he had me dig the trench and install the conduit and then we pulled the wire and hooked it up.

When. I went to do the solar the inspector required a licensed electrician to pull the permit. Mike volunteered to pull the permit but also admitted he knew nothing about solar. He called me back shortly after that saying one of the guys he had mentored in the electrical union was doing solar and I should get him involved. I'm sure Mike must have talked to him because things have went much the same with Joe. I'm doing most of the work with him keeping me following the rules and answering questions.

I've got 34 of the 42 panels on the roof. The rest will probably have to wait until late next week as it's supposed to rain every day for the next 4. But that gets me a chance to get started on the inside wiring. I also have to prep for how I'm planning to do the roof penetrations

 

[cj5orion]

Your so close to getting your system "signed off",a little research into ground wires,(a very important part of any elect. Work) !!!,the main shut-off/disconnect switch,(with proper wire and main breaker for main panel and solar inverter).once "done" you can always call for inspection,if you "fail",the write up may guide you or...at least you'll have something to talk a "sparky' about.

 

[JimP]

Your so close to getting your system "signed off",a little research into ground wires,(a very important part of any elect. Work) !!!,the main shut-off/disconnect switch,(with proper wire and main breaker for main panel and solar inverter).once "done" you can always call for inspection,if you "fail",the write up may guide you or...at least you'll have something to talk a "sparky' about.

I can't even get the permit without an electrician on the project :-( See attached list for what the permit requires. This is roof mount thankfully.

 

[JimP]

So it's the interconnection agreement that's causing the problem? In my state it's either a licensed electrical engineer OR electrician that has to sign off on it. Know any EE's?

I've used Greenlancer.com to put together a few single line diagrams and have always been impressed. I've noticed that they offer a lot of services including full system design and supplying PE stamped drawings as needed.

They may have be able to help, it wouldn't hurt to check.

I will definitely see if they can help. It looks like they are mostly focused on professional installers, but I will see what they say. Thanks!

 

[pvgirl]

I can't even get the permit without an electrician on the project :-( See attached list for what the permit requires. This is roof mount thankfully.View attachment 176588

You may be able to file the owner exception affidavit https://www.chathamcountync.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/17876/637975563319070000 or similar form or statement since you are working on your own property, and NC state law doesn't require a license to preform electrical work on you own property as long it isn't currently for sale or lease. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer)

 

[OzSolar]

I will definitely see if they can help. It looks like they are mostly focused on professional installers, but I will see what they say. Thanks!

Last I knew they are were pretty agnostic to DIY vs. professional. Lately they are recruiting us SUPER hard to clean us clean up a lot of GENERCRAP messes in the region but we learned a long time ago that those deals are no fun so just have to pass. Lawyers and such isn't any fun. Not that management doesn't want to help folks out but no good deed ever goes unpunished.

 

[timselectric]

It's a great time to be a contractor. The labor force is strained. (Nobody wants to do physical labor anymore)
We can name our price. And be picky about what jobs we take.

 

[JimP]

You may be able to file the owner exception affidavit https://www.chathamcountync.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/17876/637975563319070000 or similar form or statement since you are working on your own property, and NC state law doesn't require a license to preform electrical work on you own property as long it isn't currently for sale or lease. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer)

Excellent catch! I will definitely try that. Thanks very much!

 

[cj5orion]

Hmmmm...even here in governor "nosum" Cali,as a Remodel Contractor I've gotten signed of on inspections.Ive had some inspectors really get into details ! But I've always believed in overkill,kinda "blows their brains",Inspectors usually see A LOT of underkills by contractors !
The more they look at my work,the more the "overkills" they find ! Their not used to inspecting that kinda work ! I'm old fashioned,,,I Believe in doing a good job ! Pretty rare here in Cali !
Anyways,,,always got by with "owner/builder" permits,plumbing,elect,framing,etc,etc

 

[JimP]

Hmmmm...even here in governor "nosum" Cali,as a Remodel Contractor I've gotten signed of on inspections.Ive had some inspectors really get into details ! But I've always believed in overkill,kinda "blows their brains",Inspectors usually see A LOT of underkills by contractors !
The more they look at my work,the more the "overkills" they find ! Their not used to inspecting that kinda work ! I'm old fashioned,,,I Believe in doing a good job ! Pretty rare here in Cali !
Anyways,,,always got by with "owner/builder" permits,plumbing,elect,framing,etc,etc

I will definitely take the time (and materials) to do an excellent job of it.

 

[cj5orion]

I will definitely take the time (and materials) to do an excellent job of it.

Watch the small stuff,clamps on conduit,spacing on runs,spacing on clamp from a box,etc
Keep it NEAT,LABELS,LABELS,LABELS ! ,
IF in doubt,over kill ! ,most "sparkys" don't wanna be a part of it ! Just tell them your looking for main panel sizing,subpanels if needed,proper wire size etc,get em there for an hour maybe 2,
Many a homeowner throws a lil extra in that bill.(16 g vs 14 g,14g vs 12 g etc.seems pretty simple,but...
In short,your picking their brain for info, NOT connecting their lic # to the job ! They should be OK with that.