Jim, The proposed Limited Solar Electric License in TX is similar to the LRT license in Oregon that Bob mentions. The 50kW capacity cap is proposed in order to allow Limited Solar Electric License holders to continue to work on residential and small commercial jobs. Work under the license would be limited to the DC side of the system only, meaning that an electrician must still make the interconnection.
The reason TREIA is working on a limited solar electric license proposal is that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TXDLR) has given notice that it considers solar electric work as falling under its licensing, regulation and inspection purview. TXDLR started issuing cease and desist orders to solar installers about one year ago. They subsequently agreed to look the other way and let solar installers in the state continue to go about their business, but only because TREIA is working with TXDLR on a licensing solution. The solution TXDLR favors, of course, is that only licensed electricians do electrical work. And solar electric work fits their definition of electrical work. The solution that TREIA favors is the creation of a limited license that TXDLR will not oppose, one that the unions will not oppose and one that will allow solar installers to continue to operate their small businesses without threat of legal action. Large solar contractors in TX are electrical contractors, so this is explicitly a strategy to keep small businesses on the right side of the law. The challenge that TREIA faces is that the only precedent for a ³limited² electrical license in the state of Texas is a residential only license for appliance installers. So asking for a 1MW capacity cap to the limited solar electric license has a 0% chance of success. The consensus is that a 50kW cap has at least some chance of success. If the TXDLR does not oppose the proposal, we will have a member of the legislature propose a law in the next session to create this new license. I hope this clarifies the process. TREIA is very interested in feedback from stakeholders and success stories from other states. David Brearley Co-chair Solar Subcommittee TREIA On 10/29/08 4:50 PM, "Bob Maynard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Jim, > > In Oregon we have a Limited Renewable Energy Technician license. We are capped > at 25kw and can do residential and commercial. The LRT license does not allow > us to make final AC connections on any system and requires a site visit from > an electrician. > > > Regards, > Bob Maynard > VP NW Distribution Sales > groSolar What the World Needs. NOW > 535 NE Westbrook Way > Grants Pass, OR 97526 > Direct: 541.291.4044 > TollFree: 800.467.6527 x4044 > Fax: 541.476.7480 > Mobile: 541.761.1636 > groSolar.com <http://www.grosolar.com/> > http://blog.groSolar.com <http://blog.grosolar.com/> > > North America¹s Premier Installer, Distributor and Integrator of Solar Energy > Solutions > > Distributor for Evergreen Solar, Suntech Power, SMA, Fronius, PV Powered, > Outback Power, GridPoint, UniRac, Heliodyne SHW and other premier renewable > energy products > > > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of North Texas > Renewable Energy Inc > Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 2:45 PM > To: RE Wrenches > Subject: [RE-wrenches] State licensing for PV installers in Texas > > > Wrenches > > the Texas Dept of Licensing and Regulation has (finally) proposed a Limited > Solar Electric License for installers in Texas. There is currently no "solar > license" in Texas. > > Among other fairly arbitrary and borderline ridiculous potential requirements > (IMHO) is a 50 kWDC cap on the size of systems allowed, based on inverter > rated output. Also the license holder may not work on commercial > installations. > > Are these typical of the license restrictions in other states? > > thanks > > Jim Duncan > North Texas Renewable Energy Inc > 817.917.0527 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > www.ntrei.com <http://www.ntrei.com> > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
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