Re: [RE-wrenches] Blue Planet Energy

[Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches]

FWIW, we were interacting with them last week for a commercial project
(re-commissioning).  I have an email from Andrea Galassi from four days
ago, arranging on-site support from Ben Widmer for this week or next.  They
are slow to respond, but that's always been the case in my experience...

Blake

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 11:28 AM Brian Mehalic via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Based on what I heard at RE+, they are no longer in operation. This may be
> rumor, but based on the folks I heard it from I believe it.
>
> Brian Mehalic
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional™ R031508-59
> National Electrical Code® CMP-4 Member
> (520) 204-6639
>
> Solar Energy International
> http://www.solarenergy.org
>
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 11:26 AM Chris Sparadeo via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone had successful contact with Blue Planet in recent weeks? Jody
>> from their tech support division does not seem to be working there any more
>> and the company main phone number is giving a bizarre message loop that
>> doesn’t allow you to actually speak to anyone….
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 10:33 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>> They called me today to sell me more batteries but they can’t fix my SMA
>>> system.
>>>
>>>
>>> William Miller
>>> Miller Solar.com
>>> 805-438-5600
>>> www.millersolar.com
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 5:35 PM Kirpal Khalsa via RE-wrenches <
>>> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>
 Hi Folks
 Anyone else having trouble getting ahold of Blue Planet Energy? They
 aren't returning calls even to sell new productI am wondering if they
 are still a going concern
 With all the changes these days I am.just buckling in for the solar
 coaster ride!!!
 Thanks!
 Kirpal
 Oregon Solarworks
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-- 

Blake Gleason, PE | Employee Owner
Director of Innovation and Technical Excellence
O: 510-845-2997 x128
C: 510-867-5878

Re: [RE-wrenches] UL3741 inverter listing for residential roofs

[Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches]

Hi Jay,

Ironridge XR is 3741 listed, but only with Tesla MCIs (for now), I believe.
https://www.ironridge.com/2024/02/27/flush-mount-systems-listed-to-ul-3741/

Best,
Blake

On Mon, Jul 29, 2024 at 9:58 AM jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> HI All,
>
> I”m wondering if there are any rack companies that have a listed product
> for residential roofs?
>
> The only inverters I’ve found have been for larger commercial size.
>
> Living in an area with lots of flat roofs, ( OK super low slope) it would
> be an option vs micro or other power electronics
>
> thanks in advance
>
> jay
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-- 

Blake Gleason, PE | Employee Owner
Director of Innovation and Technical Excellence
O: 510-845-2997 x128
C: 510-867-5878



1035 Folger Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94710
www.sunlightandpower.com
License #326203

  

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information Requested

[Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches]

Hi Sam,

The "secondary" of the CT is the side connected to the meter.  The primary
is the side that gets wrapped around the conductor or busbar on which you
are measuring current.  So yes, make sure that the secondary is connected
to its "burden" (the meter, or a shorting block) before inducing any
current in the primary.  With a split-core CT, or a handheld clamp meter
(as you noted), you can install the CT around a conductor while the
conductor is in service.  Just make sure the secondary is already
connected.  (I'm sure there is some exception for certain types of
sensitive meters, but I've never had a problem.  And yes, as you say, this
is assuming that you are using proper PPE, etc for working around live
circuits.)

Blake


On Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 8:31 AM Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Dear Wrenches,
>
> I'm trying to determine whether or not it is acceptable to clamp
> monitoring CTs around hot conductors.  For this question please assume the
> CT wires are landed in their proper terminals and that proper PPE/safety
> protocol is employed.  The monitored currents in question are residential
> services of 600A or less. Is there harm to the CT by clamping them around a
> hot conductor?
>
> The physics of a CT from my brief research states that,* "...the
> secondary of a current transformer should not be disconnected from its
> burden while current is in the primary, as the secondary will attempt to
> continue driving current into an effective infinite impedance potentially
> generating high voltages and thus compromising operator safety."  *This begs
> the question how I can use my DMM clamp meter w/o causing damage or is the
> italicized text related to very high current applications from the world of
> medium and high voltage equipment and not as pertinent to the residential
> and light commercial world I work in?
>
> I suspect this is a no-brainer answer for the seasoned professionals on
> the list and I'll be most appreciative for any proof (no matter how brief)
> you wish to share.  Ultimately we wish to minimize the need to perform
> power shut downs and interrupt client service when installing load
> monitoring CTs to a home but only wish to do so if it is part of a safe and
> non equipment-harming process.
>
> Sincerely,
> Sam Haraldson
>
> [image: OnSite Energy]
> 
>
> SAM HARALDSON
> Field Operations Director
> (406) 551-6135
> 1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
> Locally owned and operated since 2012
> [image: B Corporation]
> 
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-- 

Blake Gleason, PE | Employee Owner
Director of Innovation and Technical Excellence
O: 510-845-2997 x128
C: 510-867-5878

1035 Folger Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94710
www.sunlightandpower.com
License #326203

 

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Re: [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks

[Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches]

18" setback at the ridge, assuming <33%.  Doesn't matter what's on the
other side of the ridge.

For hips (not ridges), we are usually allowed to take advantage of the
"other side" as long as there is a 36" path in total (eg, 6" on one side of
the hip, and 30" on the other side).

Blake

On Wed, Jun 7, 2023, 12:02 PM rick--- via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Wrenches,
>
> Looking for some guidance on setbacks at ridge for PV systems. The 2018
> code states the following:
>
> R324.6.2 Setback at ridge.
>
> For photovoltaic arrays occupying not more than 33 percent of the plan
> view total roof area, not less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear setback is
> required on both sides of a horizontal ridge. For photovoltaic arrays
> occupying more than 33 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less
> than a 36-inch (914 mm) clear setback is required on both sides of a
> horizontal ridge.
>
> In reading this
> article
> put out by Ipsun Solar regarding the setbacks, they state that if there’s
> no PV on the opposite side of the roof no setback is required, although
> their diagram shows a 12” setback. I don’t see any exceptions in the code
> that indicate that. What’re you all doing for ridge setbacks?
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> rick brown
> SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
> Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
> www.SolShineEnergy.com
> Roanoke, VA
> Office: 540.235.3095
> Mobile: 540.808.9502
>
> VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
> VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
> VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21
>
> [image: solshine-01-18-17 copy.jpg]
>
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[RE-wrenches] Ideas and racking systems for "stowing" ground mount PV array during snowy winter?

[Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches]

Hi all,

I think there's a lot of experience on this list with PV in snowy regions.

I'm wondering if anyone has ideas and/or specific hardware/racking systems
to allow for easy "stowing" (in vertical or near-vertical position) or
"seasonal removal" of the ground mount PV modules for the winter (snow)
season?  Or ideas for a completely different approach to solving the
challenge I'm facing?

I'm planning a new off-grid system in the Sierra (around 6000') for a small
commercial community center facility.  The facility is accessible and in
use only during the summer months.  So, I want to optimize production for
the summer, and also avoid having the array destroyed by the heavy Sierra
snow during the winter.

To further paint the picture, here are some more details and constraints:

- System size: 23kW (likely 48 Silfab 490 mods)
- Must be ground mount (beautiful very tall trees completely surrounding
all roof options)
- Must be relatively low profile, visually.  Pole mount not an option
- Ideally one clean rectangular array 4x12 mods (13' x 90') or two 4x6
arrays (13' x 45')
- Array tilt: 10-15 deg (summer use only, must be low-profile)

There is a caretaker who has a seasonal crew, and could be trained to
"stow" the array each season as long as that process is relatively
straightforward.

At one end of the spectrum, it could be as simple as disconnecting and
un-installing all of the modules to store them in a stack underneath the
nearby deck for the winter.  I'd like to think there might be a more
"elegant" solution (and less labor intensive, and less wear and tear on the
modules over the years).  I wondered if there's a clever way to "drop" the
modules to a near-vertical orientation so they could remain in place during
the winter (some kind of hinge at the top and release at the bottom).  I
guess this might require individual rows of modules instead of one large
array.

(As a bonus, I'd like to keep about four mods (out of the 48) operational
through the winter for battery maintenance and a few incidental loads.
These could be vertically mounted on the south side of one of the
buildings, above the typical snow drift level, for example.)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, ideas, things you've tried that
haven't worked, etc!!

Best,
Blake

-- 

Blake Gleason, PE | Employee Owner
Director of Innovation and Technical Excellence
O: 510-845-2997 x128
C: 510-867-5878

1035 Folger Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94710
www.sunlightandpower.com
License #326203
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