Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

2020-08-31 Thread Matt Partymiller
Scot,

What do you interpret the last part of that section to mean? ‘The placement of 
a panel over a vent pipe… shall provide for an open area for the vent pipe to 
the outdoors that is not less than the area of the pipe…’

Is that saying if you have 2” PVC you need your panel 2” above the top of the 
pipe?

Thanks for bringing this up.

Matt


Matt Partymiller
General Manager
Solar Energy Solutions, LLC
877-312-7456
m...@sesre.com



From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of Scot 
Arey
Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2020 11:38 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

Complete game changer. I stumbled upon it in Fine Homebuilding article and was 
surprised this was not more widely known. Vent pipes can be reduced in height. 
Details in plumbing section.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-IRC-UPDATE-Handout-9-1-17.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGv-zC_cHrAhVIeawKHcMWDqsQFjAMegQIARAC&usg=AOvVaw36RmseBH_BsTWca5GZc6jd
Howard "Scot" Arey
owner, Solar CenTex
254 300 1228



On Sat, Aug 29, 2020 at 6:07 PM -0500, "Jerry Shafer" 
mailto:jerrysgarag...@gmail.com>> wrote:
I have relocated roof vents several times, just have to make sure they comply, 
no P traps, flat or downward trends. Fasten correctly to the rafters, sealing 
both old and new. If you want to do this on the roof under the modules same 
rules apply.
Jerry

On Sat, Aug 29, 2020, 3:17 PM William Miller 
mailto:will...@millersolar.com>> wrote:
Friends:

Over all these years I have always been able to work around plumbing vents.  
Now I find one that is just in the way.  My foreman suggests we 90 it out of 
the way, and makes the point that there are vent 90s in the walls all the time. 
 Is there any concern about this practice?

Thanks in advance.

William


Miller Solar
17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com
CA Lic. 773985


___
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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

2020-08-31 Thread Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar


So the panel has to be removed for a plumber to run a snake to fix a
plumbing issue? Yes thanks for bringing this up!  

Dave Angelini Offgrid
Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
[1]
e-mail offgridso...@sti.net [2]
text 209 813 0060

On Mon, 31 Aug 2020
13:40:13 +, Matt Partymiller  wrote:  

Scot, 

What do you
interpret the last part of that section to mean? 'The placement of a panel
over a vent pipe... shall provide for an open area for the vent pipe to the
outdoors that is not less than the area of the pipe...' 

Is that saying if
you have 2" PVC you need your panel 2" above the top of the pipe? 

Thanks
for bringing this up. 

Matt 

Matt Partymiller 

General Manager 

Solar
Energy Solutions, LLC 

877-312-7456 

m...@sesre.com 

FROM: RE-wrenches 
ON BEHALF OF Scot Arey
 SENT: Saturday, August 29, 2020 11:38 PM
 TO:
RE-wrenches 
 SUBJECT: Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent  


Complete game changer. I stumbled upon it in Fine Homebuilding article
and was surprised this was not more widely known. Vent pipes can be reduced
in height. Details in plumbing section.  


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-IRC-UPDATE-Handout-9-1-17.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGv-zC_cHrAhVIeawKHcMWDqsQFjAMegQIARAC
border-left: solid #CC 1.0pt; padding: 0in 0in 0in 6.0pt; margin-left:
4.8pt; margin-right: 0in;">   

I have relocated roof vents several times,
just have to make sure they comply, no P traps, flat or downward trends.
Fasten correctly to the rafters, sealing both old and new. If you want to
do this on the roof under the modules same rules apply.  

Jerry   

On
Sat, Aug 29, 2020, 3:17 PM William Miller  wrote: 

Friends: 

Over all
these years I have always been able to work around plumbing vents. Now I
find one that is just in the way. My foreman suggests we 90 it out of the
way, and makes the point that there are vent 90s in the walls all the time.
Is there any concern about this practice? 

Thanks in advance. 

William


Miller Solar 

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 

805-438-5600


www.millersolar.com [6] 

CA Lic. 773985


___
 List sponsored by
Redwood Alliance

 List Address:  RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [7]


Change listserver email address & settings:

http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [8]


List-Archive: 
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [9]


List rules & etiquette:
 www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm [10]

 Check out
or update participant bios:
 www.members.re-wrenches.org [11]  


Links:
--
[1] http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
[2]
mailto:offgridso...@sti.net
[3]
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-IRC-UPDATE-Handout-9-1-17.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGv-zC_cHrAhVIeawKHcMWDqsQFjAMegQIARAC&usg=AOvVaw36RmseBH_BsTWca5GZc6jd
[4]
mailto:jerrysgarag...@gmail.com
[5] mailto:will...@millersolar.com
[6]
http://www.millersolar.com/
[7]
mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
[8]
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
[9]
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
[10]
http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
[11]
http://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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

2020-08-31 Thread scot.arey
No doubt worded horribly and we have not been “tested” by AHJs. We see it as 
providing ample volume for air to flow uninterrupted and we use about an inch 
to two. Our Unirac rails enables and here in Texas we like to have modules as 
far off roof as possible for air flow / heat reduction.

 

Part of my problem is that not many AHJs have transitioned to this code version 
and as is typical, they see no upside (to them) to letting me use what is 
coming into effect. About to go speak to one inspector right now to ask 
permission to use code going into effect.

 

Scot

 

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of Matt 
Partymiller
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2020 8:40 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

 

Scot,

 

What do you interpret the last part of that section to mean? ‘The placement of 
a panel over a vent pipe… shall provide for an open area for the vent pipe to 
the outdoors that is not less than the area of the pipe…’

 

Is that saying if you have 2” PVC you need your panel 2” above the top of the 
pipe?

 

Thanks for bringing this up.

 

Matt

 

 

Matt Partymiller

General Manager

Solar Energy Solutions, LLC

877-312-7456

m...@sesre.com  

 

 

 

From: RE-wrenches mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> > On Behalf Of Scot Arey
Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2020 11:38 PM
To: RE-wrenches mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> >
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

 

Complete game changer. I stumbled upon it in Fine Homebuilding article and was 
surprised this was not more widely known. Vent pipes can be reduced in height. 
Details in plumbing section.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t 

 
&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-IRC-UPDATE-Handout-9-1-17.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGv-zC_cHrAhVIeawKHcMWDqsQFjAMegQIARAC&usg=AOvVaw36RmseBH_BsTWca5GZc6jd

Howard "Scot" Arey

owner, Solar CenTex

254 300 1228

 

 

On Sat, Aug 29, 2020 at 6:07 PM -0500, "Jerry Shafer" mailto:jerrysgarag...@gmail.com> > wrote:

I have relocated roof vents several times, just have to make sure they comply, 
no P traps, flat or downward trends. Fasten correctly to the rafters, sealing 
both old and new. If you want to do this on the roof under the modules same 
rules apply.

Jerry

 

On Sat, Aug 29, 2020, 3:17 PM William Miller mailto:will...@millersolar.com> > wrote:

Friends:

 

Over all these years I have always been able to work around plumbing vents.  
Now I find one that is just in the way.  My foreman suggests we 90 it out of 
the way, and makes the point that there are vent 90s in the walls all the time. 
 Is there any concern about this practice?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

William

 

 

Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com  

CA Lic. 773985

 

 

___
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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

2020-08-31 Thread Kent Osterberg
To get the open area equivalent of a 2" vent pipe would only require the 
bottom of the panel to be 1/2" above the top of the vent pipe. However, 
for folks in a cold climate, condensation freezing into a large ice 
block on the bottom of the panel could block the vent or damage the 
panel. Pretty sure vent pipes under the array are not a good idea for 
many of us.


Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar
70177 Ponderosa Ln.
Cove, OR 97824
www.bluemountainsolar.com


On 8/31/2020 6:40 AM, Matt Partymiller wrote:


Scot,

What do you interpret the last part of that section to mean? ‘The 
placement of a panel over a vent pipe… shall provide for an open area 
for the vent pipe to the outdoors that is not less than the area of 
the pipe…’


Is that saying if you have 2” PVC you need your panel 2” above the top 
of the pipe?


Thanks for bringing this up.

Matt

Matt Partymiller

General Manager

Solar Energy Solutions, LLC

877-312-7456

m...@sesre.com

*From:* RE-wrenches  *On 
Behalf Of *Scot Arey

*Sent:* Saturday, August 29, 2020 11:38 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches 
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

Complete game changer. I stumbled upon it in Fine Homebuilding article 
and was surprised this was not more widely known. Vent pipes can be 
reduced in height. Details in plumbing section.


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-IRC-UPDATE-Handout-9-1-17.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGv-zC_cHrAhVIeawKHcMWDqsQFjAMegQIARAC&usg=AOvVaw36RmseBH_BsTWca5GZc6jd

Howard "Scot" Arey

owner, Solar CenTex

254 300 1228



On Sat, Aug 29, 2020 at 6:07 PM -0500, "Jerry Shafer" 
mailto:jerrysgarag...@gmail.com>> wrote:


I have relocated roof vents several times, just have to make sure
they comply, no P traps, flat or downward trends. Fasten correctly
to the rafters, sealing both old and new. If you want to do this
on the roof under the modules same rules apply.

Jerry

On Sat, Aug 29, 2020, 3:17 PM William Miller
mailto:will...@millersolar.com>> wrote:

Friends:

Over all these years I have always been able to work around
plumbing vents.  Now I find one that is just in the way.  My
foreman suggests we 90 it out of the way, and makes the point
that there are vent 90s in the walls all the time.  Is there
any concern about this practice?

Thanks in advance.

William

Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com 

CA Lic. 773985

___
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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent

2020-08-31 Thread Ken Schaal
I would think that there is a clean out closer to the lines that actually
flow water and other solids. The only time i have ever needed to ram a
snake from a roof vent was on a 100 year old apartment house with
galvanized sink plumbing. Some rust from inside the vent apparently flaked
off and blocked the drain below the 3 rd fl sink!
Anyone seen a blockage in the vent only?
Ken Schaal
Common Wealth
 Solar

On Mon, Aug 31, 2020, 10:01 AM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar <
offgridso...@sti.net> wrote:

> So the panel has to be removed for a plumber to run a snake to fix a
> plumbing issue? Yes thanks for bringing this up!
>
>
>
> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
> http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ 
> e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net 
> text 209 813 0060*
>
> On Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:40:13 +, Matt Partymiller 
> wrote:
>
> Scot,
>
>
>
> What do you interpret the last part of that section to mean? 'The
> placement of a panel over a vent pipe... shall provide for an open area for
> the vent pipe to the outdoors that is not less than the area of the pipe...'
>
>
>
> Is that saying if you have 2" PVC you need your panel 2" above the top of
> the pipe?
>
>
>
> Thanks for bringing this up.
>
>
>
> Matt
>
>
>
>
>
> Matt Partymiller
>
> General Manager
>
> Solar Energy Solutions, LLC
>
> 877-312-7456
>
> m...@sesre.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches  *On
> Behalf Of *Scot Arey
> *Sent:* Saturday, August 29, 2020 11:38 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches 
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Modifying a plumbing vent
>
>
>
> Complete game changer. I stumbled upon it in Fine Homebuilding article and
> was surprised this was not more widely known. Vent pipes can be reduced in
> height. Details in plumbing section.
>
>
> https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-IRC-UPDATE-Handout-9-1-17.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGv-zC_cHrAhVIeawKHcMWDqsQFjAMegQIARAC&usg=AOvVaw36RmseBH_BsTWca5GZc6jd
>
> Howard "Scot" Arey
>
> owner, Solar CenTex
>
> 254 300 1228
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 29, 2020 at 6:07 PM -0500, "Jerry Shafer" <
> jerrysgarag...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have relocated roof vents several times, just have to make sure they
> comply, no P traps, flat or downward trends. Fasten correctly to the
> rafters, sealing both old and new. If you want to do this on the roof under
> the modules same rules apply.
>
> Jerry
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 29, 2020, 3:17 PM William Miller 
> wrote:
>
> Friends:
>
>
>
> Over all these years I have always been able to work around plumbing
> vents.  Now I find one that is just in the way.  My foreman suggests we 90
> it out of the way, and makes the point that there are vent 90s in the walls
> all the time.  Is there any concern about this practice?
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> William
>
>
>
>
>
> Miller Solar
>
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> www.millersolar.com
>
> CA Lic. 773985
>
>
>
>
>
> ___
> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



[RE-wrenches] Re-mounting a legacy Grid-tied system, after re-roofing

2020-08-31 Thread Howie Michaelson
Hi All,
I think I know the answer to this, but wasn't 100% sure:

I have a potential client who had roof mounted grid-tied panels (Sun Power
205s, and Sun Power Inverter) and a Sunny Island for backup (batteries are
currently flat, so don't know if either they are recoverable or if the SI
is working).

Before the current owner moved in a few months ago, the panels and racking
were removed (maybe a year ago), seemingly for a reroofing.  No pictures
appear to exist of how or where they were mounted and I believe the racking
has disappeared (I have not been to this location, just have info from the
current owner and a report commissioned by the owner from a somewhat
knowledgeable energy consultant). The owner wants the panels remounted and
the SI restored to operation.

My question is can I reuse the existing equipment (no RSD) as this appears
to be a maintenance procedure, or do I need to bring the system up to
current code?  No permits will need to be pulled and there are essentially
nor AHJs involved (this is a rural site), so any adherence to code would be
for covering my a-- and making sure things were safe.  So can I, by code,
remount this system (with new racking) somewhere on the same roof, without
changing out the inverter?

I realize this might have a variable answer, but looking for the basic.

Thanks,
Howie

*Howie Michaelson**Sun Catcher*

*NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™*

*Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service802-272-0004*
___
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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Re-mounting a legacy Grid-tied system, after re-roofing

2020-08-31 Thread August Goers
Hi Howie,

There is definitely some grey area involved in your situation - and, you
are not alone in facing this type of situation. As systems age, we're
finding removal and replacements becoming very common. Many companies don't
want to do this type of work because it almost always opens up a can of
worms. On the conservative side, it's always safest to get a permit. We've
been getting removal and replacement maintenance permits in the SF Bay Area
with fairly good results. We let the AHJ know that this is simply a removal
and replacement for re-roofing purposes, so we're building the system again
to the same code it was built to. Fire walkways are a big deal in our neck
of the woods, and older systems don't tend to meet current standards. Then,
there is rapid shutdown, smart inverters, arc fault detection, etc that
make it nearly impossible to rebuild the system with the old equipment
while meeting current codes and interconnection requirements. Your old
SunPower positively grounded modules will only work with old isolated
transformer based inverters that don't meet current code.

But to answer your question, yes, I think it is perfectly fine to rebuild
the system the way it originally was with the same inverter and your AHJ
should too as long as they understand it is for maintenance. We're not
taking on rebuilding systems that were installed by others currently
because we already have too much work and as I mentioned above, it always
ends up being complicated and taking more time than just building a new
system from scratch. As soon as the system becomes modified because there
is now a skylight on the roof, they want to add some modules, etc, then
really you're building a new system with old modules and it should meet
current code.

August




On Mon, Aug 31, 2020 at 12:54 PM Howie Michaelson <
howie.michael...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi All,
> I think I know the answer to this, but wasn't 100% sure:
>
> I have a potential client who had roof mounted grid-tied panels (Sun Power
> 205s, and Sun Power Inverter) and a Sunny Island for backup (batteries are
> currently flat, so don't know if either they are recoverable or if the SI
> is working).
>
> Before the current owner moved in a few months ago, the panels and racking
> were removed (maybe a year ago), seemingly for a reroofing.  No pictures
> appear to exist of how or where they were mounted and I believe the racking
> has disappeared (I have not been to this location, just have info from the
> current owner and a report commissioned by the owner from a somewhat
> knowledgeable energy consultant). The owner wants the panels remounted and
> the SI restored to operation.
>
> My question is can I reuse the existing equipment (no RSD) as this appears
> to be a maintenance procedure, or do I need to bring the system up to
> current code?  No permits will need to be pulled and there are essentially
> nor AHJs involved (this is a rural site), so any adherence to code would be
> for covering my a-- and making sure things were safe.  So can I, by code,
> remount this system (with new racking) somewhere on the same roof, without
> changing out the inverter?
>
> I realize this might have a variable answer, but looking for the basic.
>
> Thanks,
> Howie
>
> *Howie Michaelson**Sun Catcher*
>
> *NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™*
>
> *Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service802-272-0004*
> ___
> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Re-mounting a legacy Grid-tied system, after re-roofing

2020-08-31 Thread Jason Szumlanski
It depends on the jurisdiction here in Southwest Florida, but virtually all
of them expect the system to meet current codes for the most part for
things you touch. Since the mounts/attachments are removed, it's definitely
a new structural inspection and most jurisdictions at least want to look at
grounding/bonding.

The most we can get away with here usually is avoiding an electrical plan
review, and sometimes an electrical inspection altogether. They do mostly
allow grandfathered inverter equipment, even if RSD is not provided. One of
by bigger headaches has been MC3 connectors on modules.

I don't like touching these systems without bringing them up to code with a
whole new engineered set of permit drawings. I have a lot of
removal/reinstall experience here (thanks, Hurricane Irma). It's more
trouble than it's worth to try to use old tech. The insurance company
should be willing to update the system to new codes if the insured is
covered for that, and that's what we saw on a pretty consistent basis. I
even replaced panels on the insurer's dime on some Sharp trapezoidal arrays
because I couldn't make the existing mounting systems work to get them back
on the roof, and they have a proprietary and discontinued rail system. Some
clients were happy to upgrade to microinverters at the same time, also.

Jason Szumlanski
Florida Solar Design Group




On Mon, Aug 31, 2020 at 4:13 PM August Goers  wrote:

> Hi Howie,
>
> There is definitely some grey area involved in your situation - and, you
> are not alone in facing this type of situation. As systems age, we're
> finding removal and replacements becoming very common. Many companies don't
> want to do this type of work because it almost always opens up a can of
> worms. On the conservative side, it's always safest to get a permit. We've
> been getting removal and replacement maintenance permits in the SF Bay Area
> with fairly good results. We let the AHJ know that this is simply a removal
> and replacement for re-roofing purposes, so we're building the system again
> to the same code it was built to. Fire walkways are a big deal in our neck
> of the woods, and older systems don't tend to meet current standards. Then,
> there is rapid shutdown, smart inverters, arc fault detection, etc that
> make it nearly impossible to rebuild the system with the old equipment
> while meeting current codes and interconnection requirements. Your old
> SunPower positively grounded modules will only work with old isolated
> transformer based inverters that don't meet current code.
>
> But to answer your question, yes, I think it is perfectly fine to rebuild
> the system the way it originally was with the same inverter and your AHJ
> should too as long as they understand it is for maintenance. We're not
> taking on rebuilding systems that were installed by others currently
> because we already have too much work and as I mentioned above, it always
> ends up being complicated and taking more time than just building a new
> system from scratch. As soon as the system becomes modified because there
> is now a skylight on the roof, they want to add some modules, etc, then
> really you're building a new system with old modules and it should meet
> current code.
>
> August
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 31, 2020 at 12:54 PM Howie Michaelson <
> howie.michael...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>> I think I know the answer to this, but wasn't 100% sure:
>>
>> I have a potential client who had roof mounted grid-tied panels (Sun
>> Power 205s, and Sun Power Inverter) and a Sunny Island for backup
>> (batteries are currently flat, so don't know if either they are recoverable
>> or if the SI is working).
>>
>> Before the current owner moved in a few months ago, the panels and
>> racking were removed (maybe a year ago), seemingly for a reroofing.  No
>> pictures appear to exist of how or where they were mounted and I believe
>> the racking has disappeared (I have not been to this location, just have
>> info from the current owner and a report commissioned by the owner from a
>> somewhat knowledgeable energy consultant). The owner wants the panels
>> remounted and the SI restored to operation.
>>
>> My question is can I reuse the existing equipment (no RSD) as this
>> appears to be a maintenance procedure, or do I need to bring the system up
>> to current code?  No permits will need to be pulled and there are
>> essentially nor AHJs involved (this is a rural site), so any adherence to
>> code would be for covering my a-- and making sure things were safe.  So can
>> I, by code, remount this system (with new racking) somewhere on the same
>> roof, without changing out the inverter?
>>
>> I realize this might have a variable answer, but looking for the basic.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Howie
>>
>> *Howie Michaelson**Sun Catcher*
>>
>> *NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™*
>>
>> *Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service802-272-0004*
>> ___
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

[RE-wrenches] Solar Edge optimizer attachment using EcoFoot 2 mounting

2020-08-31 Thread Carl Adams
I have a project requiring the Solar Edge optimizers (P370 or P860) on an
Ecofoot 2 mounting system with 72 cell modules.  Curious as to what is
being done to mount the  optimizers to either the module frame or the
Ecofoot 2 base.  A picture could be worth a thousand words.

With Kind Regards
Carl Adams, President
SunRock Solar, LLC
513.290.9072 (mobile)
513.766.6025 (office)
___
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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Edge optimizer attachment using EcoFoot 2 mounting

2020-08-31 Thread Eric Smiley
We have similar curiosity but using Tigo. We also would like to use APS QS1
micro-inverters and the MLPE mounts that Ecolibrium has don't really fit
the bill.

Eric Smiley, P.Eng.

Project Manager, North Island

E:  e...@vecoop.ca

T:  1-888-386-0116 ext 702 (toll free)

C:  250-703-6004

W:  viridianenergy.ca 



RENEWABLE POWER NOW


On Mon, 31 Aug 2020 at 18:37, Carl Adams  wrote:

> I have a project requiring the Solar Edge optimizers (P370 or P860) on an
> Ecofoot 2 mounting system with 72 cell modules.  Curious as to what is
> being done to mount the  optimizers to either the module frame or the
> Ecofoot 2 base.  A picture could be worth a thousand words.
>
> With Kind Regards
> Carl Adams, President
> SunRock Solar, LLC
> 513.290.9072 (mobile)
> 513.766.6025 (office)
>
> ___
> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Edge optimizer attachment using EcoFoot 2 mounting

2020-08-31 Thread Chris Sparadeo
Hi Carl,

Quick Mount makes a user friendly attachment.

https://youtu.be/o1ofabaptPY


Hope this helps

-Chris


On Mon, Aug 31, 2020 at 9:53 PM Eric Smiley  wrote:

> We have similar curiosity but using Tigo. We also would like to use APS
> QS1 micro-inverters and the MLPE mounts that Ecolibrium has don't really
> fit the bill.
>
> Eric Smiley, P.Eng.
>
> Project Manager, North Island
>
> E:  e...@vecoop.ca
>
> T:  1-888-386-0116 ext 702 (toll free)
>
> C:  250-703-6004
>
> W:  viridianenergy.ca 
>
> 
>
> RENEWABLE POWER NOW
>
>
> On Mon, 31 Aug 2020 at 18:37, Carl Adams  wrote:
>
>> I have a project requiring the Solar Edge optimizers (P370 or P860) on an
>> Ecofoot 2 mounting system with 72 cell modules.  Curious as to what is
>> being done to mount the  optimizers to either the module frame or the
>> Ecofoot 2 base.  A picture could be worth a thousand words.
>>
>> With Kind Regards
>> Carl Adams, President
>> SunRock Solar, LLC
>> 513.290.9072 (mobile)
>> 513.766.6025 (office)
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>>
>>
>> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
>
>
> List rules & etiquette:
>
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
>
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
>
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
>
> --
Chris Sparadeo


C_802-369-4458
H_802-728-3059
___
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://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org