Thanks to all who have posted.
 
To answer a couple of questions that have been posted.
 
Eagle Roofing does not have a contractor's license, as we do not perform the 
installation. We work with electrical contractors and roofing contractors in 
the area of a given project. Our services do include the design and 
documentation of the system, and "help" our partners pull the permit.
 
We have tried several of the approaches mentioned here, i.e. the system consist 
of certified products, and why do we have to re-test certified products, etc. 
However, this plan checker seems very firm on their position. Pressing further, 
we asked them to provide the criteria for the test they are requesting, and 
amazingly enough they could not produce any. They also said that just a wet 
stamp of the plans would not suffice.
 
We have completed previous installations in this local within the last year and 
were not faced with this requirement, even though it was originally adopted in 
2007.
 
The following is a verbal description of what they want done;
 
He said that a registered electrical engineer has to be onsite when the 
installation of this system is completed.  This engineer has to test the power 
(wattage) and load (amps) to make sure that the output is within the parameters 
of which this system is design for, and finally this person has to write a 
report with his PE stamp to certify that this system is working properly.
 
We did get as far as to get him to agree that it did not seem relevant, as he 
said he was going to look into the ordinance a little further and might make 
some revisions to it.  However, for now, he won't budge on this ordinance 
because it's been in the city code before he came on board.
 
Also, some additional system information. 3 strings of 38 PV Tiles (Suntech 50 
Watt BIPV Roof Tile) with one PV Powered 4800 Watt inverter in a grid tied set 
up. Not exactly a complex system.
 
I will provide additional updates as I get them.
 
Thanks again,
Brian C. White
Design Engineer - PV Systems
 
Eagle Roofing Products
120 North Auburn Street - Suite 212
Grass Valley, CA  95945
Phone: 530-273-2948
Cell: 530-575-5550
e-mail: bri...@eagleroofing.com <mailto:bri...@eagleroofing.com> 
 
 

________________________________

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org on behalf of William Miller
Sent: Fri 12/18/2009 3:05 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification


Brian:

I looked up the Municipal Codes 
(http://www.ci.yorba-linda.ca.us/~ci26/how-do-i/get/get-city-codes) and this 
requirement is right in there.  I hope you have a provision in your contract 
that allows for additional billing for unanticipated engineering fees.  
Everyone should.  If you need language, contact me off line.

Fortunately I have never experienced anything like this.  This requirement 
sounds unreasonable.  It is sort of like asking an air conditioning contractor 
to have the air conditioning unit tested in the field.  Individual solar 
components are listed.  The combining of the components is facilitated by the 
manufacturers specifications and on-line sizing tools. Having said that, an 
amateur can easily screw the design and installation of even the most simple 
grid-tie system.  This provision is the ultimate consumer protection.  It 
sounds onerous at first but does have a benefit.

Good luck, and give us a hint how much this certification costs.

William Miller




At 01:31 PM 12/18/2009, you wrote:


        I am curious if any of you have had to deal with this issue before.
         
        The following is an item we got back from the City of Yorba Linda for a 
Plan Check correction:
         
         
         All electrical solar systems shall be tested and approved by a 
California Registered Electrical Engineer.  The engineer shall furnish a report 
stating their name, registration number, its date of expiration, address where 
the testing occurred and the dates of testing and approval.  Such report shall 
be presented to the City inspector for approval at the time of final 
inspection.  (YLMC 15.28.020)  Note on the plans.
         
        All experiences and suggestion are appreciated.
        
         
        
        Best Regards,
        Brian C. White
        Design Engineer - PV Systems
         
        Eagle Roofing Products
        120 North Auburn Street - Suite 212
        Grass Valley, CA  95945
        Phone: 530-273-2948
        Cell: 530-575-5550
        e-mail: bri...@eagleroofing.com <mailto:bri...@eagleroofing.com> 
        
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Please note new e-mail address and domain:

William Miller 
Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: will...@millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
<http://millersolar.com/> License No. C-10-773985


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