Jay:
You are quite right to object to the concept of covering PV modules as a means to energize feeders. It is not practical on any level. Implementing this on a roof with the potential for unexpected wind gusts adds to the risk of a service call. We know 99% of the tarps available are not opaque enough anyway. For a laugh, review the following language from the service manual for the SMA 40 series inverter: *If an external DC disconnecting switch is available, open the external DC disconnecting switch.* *• If there is no external DC disconnecting switch, cover the PV modules with opaque material (e.g. foil).* This language is in the manual because SMA designed this series of inverters with the DC disconnect switch *in* the electronics compartment. You no longer have an external disconnect to de-energize the electronics section for service unless you add one yourself. Rapid shut-down does not apply to all installations, so in some cases you have to add your own disconnect, at some expense. I discussed this with SMA and they agreed with me but they never changed the design or the language in the manual. This was not SMA’s brightest moment. William PS: All of the people I used to know at SMA appear to be gone now, I can’t reach any of these people by phone or email: Steve Jefferson, Scoey Wildey or Ronnie Raxter. Does anyone know what happened to these people? Is there an SMA contact on this list-serve? Who is left at SMA with techincal expertise that is readily accessible for questions? Wm Lic 773985 millersolar.com 805-438-5600 -----Original Message----- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jay Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2017 8:05 AM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Covering modules Hi All, happy holidays. I’m looking for any studies or data about the dangers of “covering modules” and assuming they are safe to work on. I have a group that I think is going to need some harder data than me telling them it’s not safe. Thanks Jay _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
