Re: [RE-wrenches] Power-One customer service

Jason, We've been able to get a hold of tech support at 877.261.1374 which I think is the normal number they have on their website. Good luck. -August *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Jason Szumlanski *Sent:*

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC Fusing/Breakers for Battery Circuits

look through my order records to be certain. The R is slow acting and the T is fast acting. Best, August *From:* August Goers [mailto:aug...@luminalt.com] *Sent:* Friday, February 07, 2014 3:32 PM *To:* 'RE-wrenches' *Subject:* RE: [RE-wrenches] DC Fusing/Breakers for Battery Cir

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island Battery Disconnects

Hi William, You might try reaching out to Roy Dyngen of SMA - he is a good contact for these types of general questions. Email me off list if you would like his contact info. Is the SMA BATFUSE available in the US? Anyway, SMA has always recommended connecting the negative of the batteries to

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC Fusing/Breakers for Battery Circuits

i/pdf-resources/cc67.pdf -August *From:* August Goers [mailto:aug...@luminalt.com] *Sent:* Friday, February 07, 2014 4:36 PM *To:* 'RE-wrenches' *Subject:* RE: [RE-wrenches] DC Fusing/Breakers for Battery Circuits Hi All, Correction: Another Wrench member contacted me off-list and

Re: [RE-wrenches] Long transmission line inductance and LED light flicker

Hi Troy, Have you double checked that your grounding systems both in the house and at the inverters/array are all up to snuff? Sorry I can't offer any help with the inductance issue. Best, August *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-

Re: [RE-wrenches] Huge battery bank recommendation

/0919c.pdf Best, August *August Goers* Principal Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559.1525 www.luminalt.com On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 6:24 AM, Mac Lewis wrote: > Hi wrenches, > > I am consulting on a job that requires an 8000 Ahr battery bank. This is > quite

Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC Plus

I've got the Amazon Kindle version of the 2014 NEC. So far, I don't recommend it. You can login from any PC or a tablet/phone with the Kindle App but the formatting is confusing and I just generally find it hard to use. Hopefully the publisher will be improving the format. -August *From:* re-

Re: [RE-wrenches] SolarEdge with AC coupling / Sunny Island

, August *August Goers* Principal Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559.1525 www.luminalt.com On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:10 AM, Tom Lane wrote: > Does anyone have a diagram on how to AC couple SolarEdge Inverters that > use the DC Optimizers to AC coupling with a Sunny

Re: [RE-wrenches] Autocad

ts in AutoCAD is is quite fast. Best, August Luminalt *August Goers* Principal Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559.1525 www.luminalt.com On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 6:46 PM, Exeltech wrote: > For line drawings and other 2D illustrations, Libre CAD reads and writes >

Re: [RE-wrenches] Uni-Solar, Kaneka.now Panasonic?

Hi Larry, LG is selling Neon panels which are pushing 300 W for a 60-cell arrangement. My understanding is that they are sold out in the US but sooner or later more will be imported. Focused Energy is a distributor of them. http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/solar-panels SunPower is our workhorse h

Re: [RE-wrenches] Uni-Solar, Kaneka.now Panasonic?

apturing the most energy), not high necessarily high efficiency (using less space). Efficiency would be a bonus, though. LG are just average performance. Example: Uni-Solar was one of the lowest efficiency modules ever made but holds the record for highest performance. Thank you, Larry Crutcher

Re: [RE-wrenches] Unusual problem with SMA TL inverter on metal roof

Hi Marco, Did you ever make any progress on this issue? We're having an interesting issue with one of the new Sunny Tri-Power inverters (a 24 kW unit in this case) where we get an error "residual current too high." We've only done a little troubleshooting so far but I don't think we have a groun

Re: [RE-wrenches] Unusual problem with SMA TL inverter on metal roof

Irish Hudson Solar -- *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [ re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] on behalf of August Goers [ aug...@luminalt.com] *Sent:* Tuesday, March 25, 2014 8:41 PM *To:* RE-wrenches *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Unusual problem with SMA TL invert

Re: [RE-wrenches] 1000V System Wiring Details

for a reasonable cost - we might look into that as well. Best, August *August Goers* Principal Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559.1525 www.luminalt.com On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 3:01 PM, Dave Click wrote: > Hi Wrenches- > > If you're installing 1000V syste

Re: [RE-wrenches] 1000V System Wiring Details

shut down at 600V so that's not a great idea. On systems with long runs, we use a fused switched combiner and run 1KV #6 for the home runs. But that's for very long runs. You can put a lot of power over a #10 PV Wire at 800V working voltage. On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 10:31 PM, August Go

Re: [RE-wrenches] 1000V System Wiring Details

illiam Miller Solar > On Mar 26, 2014, at 7:31 PM, August Goers wrote: > > . Going forward, we are going to strive to put inverters on the roof to minimize the expense of dealing with the 1000 V runs. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine L

Re: [RE-wrenches] Capacitive Discharge Test Results

Hi Corey, I’ve done a lot of ground fault troubleshooting over the years with isolated and non-isolated inverters and I have often seen the type of bleedoff that you describe below for the ungrounded conductors. But, it really should start zeroing out to under five volts within about 10 seconds.

Re: [RE-wrenches] 1000V System Wiring Details

a low rack. This is why these units are coming off and this was fresh in my mind when I saw your post. Something about making the parts most likely to fail less accessible seems counterintuitive to me. William Miller Solar > On Mar 27, 2014, at 7:06 AM, August Goers wrote: > > Hi Wi

Re: [RE-wrenches] Flashing vs Sealant... again (is sealant code defensible?)

Hi Troy, There has been an ongoing debate on the RE-Wrenches list on this issue for years now. I've personally serviced many old L-feet systems that are fine and some that are leaking. The leaks normally occur in the missed holes adjacent to the L-foot. Also, many installers were using Sikaflex

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase monitoring picking up other systems

Hi Benn, You should be able to login to the Array Builder and select and remove the micros that don’t belong. As long as the 14 micros that you do want show up you should be good to go. When all else fails Enphase tech support will walk you through it. Best, August Luminalt *From:* re-w

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar World shattered module

About 5 years ago we had a SunPower module shatter for no apparent reason a couple of weeks after we completed the installation. No one knows the exact cause, but SunPower did end up RMAing the module and sent an engineer out to check out our array (which was flush mount rooftop). We noticed that t

Re: [RE-wrenches] high efficiency modules in U.S.

into the US. Best, August *August Goers* Principal Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559.1525 www.luminalt.com On Fri, Apr 25, 2014 at 8:17 AM, Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems wrote: > Hey Kirk, > > We have sold sanyo then Panasonic modules f

[RE-wrenches] Solar Edge Experience?

Hi Wrenches, I have been watching Solar Edge for a while now and am curious if other wrenches have been using their product and what they think about it. I’m generally hesitant to adopt new technology until it has a good track record but I have to admit that I’m seeing some serious benefits in t

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Edge Experience?

.@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *August Goers *Sent:* Monday, May 05, 2014 10:57 AM *To:* RE-wrenches *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Solar Edge Experience? Hi Wrenches, I have been watching Solar Edge for a while now and am curious if other wrenches have been using their product and what they think abo

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Edge Experience?

the great functions of this forum. *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [ mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *August Goers *Sent:* Monday, May 05, 2014 4:59 PM *To:* RE-wrenches *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Edge Experience? Hi Bill, That was my tak

Re: [RE-wrenches] Data acquisition system for Mass-CEC

Jibril, I’ve tried many and I like Deck monitoring who was recently purchased by AlsoEnergy. Locus Energy is another option but we’ve had more tech support issues with their products. Best, August 415.559.1525 *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: re-wrenches-bou

Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning Paint Off Modules

I agree with Jason – call the manufacturer. If the modules don’t have any kind of AR coating you can use a razor blade scraper which is slow but thorough. -August *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Jason Szumlanski *Sent:* Wednesday, June 04, 20

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lumos LSX250 modules

Hi Chris, We have a complex 86 kW commercial job with Lumos 250s we’ve just kicked off. We have not installed them yet so I can’t offer a whole lot of advice except that the module leads won’t reach each other in landscape orientation so I’d recommend a standard portrait layout. The rails also n

[RE-wrenches] Proposal Sketching Tool/Software

Hi Wrenches, We are finding that more and more of our competitors are giving prospective clients a really nice array sketch along with their proposals. We have been using Google Earth and Sketchup for this but our sales reps are wondering if there is anything better out there. I am aware of Pictom

Re: [RE-wrenches] Proposal Sketching Tool/Software

r​ On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 2:54 PM, August Goers wrote: Hi Wrenches, We are finding that more and more of our competitors are giving prospective clients a really nice array sketch along with their proposals. We have been using Google Earth and Sketchup for this but our sales reps are wonder

Re: [RE-wrenches] AFCI disturbances. wire nuts

Hi All - We have been using outdoor Ideal brand wire nuts (the blue ones packed with waterproof gel/grease) for all of our residential DC side splices (typically #10 wire) for 10 years now and have never had a single problem. If the installers properly strip the conductors and follow the instructi

Re: [RE-wrenches] AFCI disturbances. wire nuts

Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 On 6/25/2014 11:43 AM, Nathan Charles wrote: Hi All, Has anybody had success with these butt splices with the adhesive shrink tubing? http://www.mcmaster.com/#butt-splices/=skb9qs Best, On Wed, Jun 25, 2014 at 1:12 PM, Au

Re: [RE-wrenches] Split bolt

Hi William, You might try an insulation piercing connector for this application: https://www.platt.com/platt-electric-supply/Splicer-Reducers-Insulation-Pi ercing/Ilsco/IPC-4-0-2-0/product.aspx?zpid=708303 Also, not to get nit-picky, but you might be in violation of the 120% rule if that is a lo

Re: [RE-wrenches] Concentrics at 250 volts plus

Hi Kelly and William, Certainly NEC 250.64(E)(1) requires ferrous metal raceways containing a GEC to be bonded at each end. 250.97 requires us to assure that we maintain electrical continuity of raceways and metal sheaths to ground. As far as I can tell this includes both ends of the raceway. Wi

Re: [RE-wrenches] PG&E E-6 metering question

This might help: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/smartmeter/nem/ Basically, it should be: 1. Segment check (showing all 88..) 2. Current electrical usage kW 3. Date 4. Time 5. Peak kWh 6. Part-Peak kWh 7. Off-Peak kW 05, 09,

Re: [RE-wrenches] Inverters Maximum Input Ratings

Hi Jason and All, Good topic. As far as I know, simple energy estimation programs like PVWatts don’t take inverter size into account when estimating annual production but more robust simulation programs like PVsyst do. I think it is a matter of really being able to trust your simulator to tell t

Re: [RE-wrenches] Inverters Maximum Input Ratings

Engineer NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™ 091209-85 NC Licensed Electrical Contractor On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 11:30 AM, August Goers wrote: Hi Jason and All, Good topic. As far as I know, simple energy estimation programs like PVWatts don’t take inverter size into account when

Re: [RE-wrenches] inverter monitoring

Hi Don, You might want to check with your distributors to see if they have the old Power-One equivalent to the VSN700 data logger. I know that these are available because I just bought one for a new project. The PN is VS701 – N0 (called Aurora Logger). We’ve installed a few of these with good re

Re: [RE-wrenches] Conduit supports on sloped composite shingle roofs

Hi Chris, There are a few common methods to run conduit along the roof surface. 1. Blocks made of Trex or another similar wood substitute with conduit fastened with 1-hole straps. Trex is typically only glued to the roof with roofing sealant (no penetrations) 2. A more profession

Re: [RE-wrenches] Modules over vents

Bruce, I'll send you the CA plumbing code vent section offlist (attachment too large for this list). The way I read the code is that you technically can't cover any type of plumbing or hot vent. However, and I've run into little resistance from AHJs in the Bay Area by covering these. You might wan

Re: [RE-wrenches] Modules over vents

doubt you could see what the plan checker or inspector thinks. Best, August -Original Message----- From: August Goers [mailto:aug...@luminalt.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 4:15 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: RE: [RE-wrenches] Modules over vents Bruce, I'll send you

Re: [RE-wrenches] Metering

Hi Bill, One of the largest benefits of the microinverter system, in my opinion, is the ability to monitor each module individually. It might seem like ~$500 is a lot for the Envoy but I think it is well worth it when you think about the 25 year warranty period and included ongoing monitoring. W

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Array Definition and 690.47(D) (2008)

Hi Jason, Do you need to go under the 2008 NEC or can you look at 2011? 2008 is notorious for being confusing in this area. Best, August *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Jason Szumlanski *Sent:* Monday, September 29, 2014 11:54 AM *To

Re: [RE-wrenches] Metering

ertified PV Installer, Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 On 9/29/2014 12:12 PM, August Goers wrote: Hi Bill, One of the largest benefits of the microinverter system, in my opinion, is the ability to monitor each module individually. It might seem like ~$500 is a

Re: [RE-wrenches] Metering

Hi William, Yes, the Sunny Portal can be configured to send email alerts. Out of all the monitoring systems I’ve tried, I like SMA’s setup the best. You just go to the plant, go to configuration…report configuration, and then setup email alerts as you wish. You can choose simple daily or monthly

Re: [RE-wrenches] TL inverter with long DC Feeder

William, We have bumped into similar dilemmas when needing remote DC disconnects with TL inverters. I believe the Solectria you are using has two MPPTs? Ideally, you would keep each string separate to benefit from the dual trackers – this would mean four DC disconnects if you went with a standar

Re: [RE-wrenches] TL inverter with long DC Feeder

-wrenches *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] TL inverter with long DC Feeder August: I have been told I can't combine upstream of the inverter. William Miller Solar On Oct 7, 2014, at 8:03 AM, August Goers wrote: William, We have bumped into similar dilemmas when needing remote DC discon

Re: [RE-wrenches] Warranty replacements

Hi Rebecca, Good topic. As we build up our repertoire of installed systems we’re finding exactly what you describe below – more and more product failures, particularly with inverters. We have been very cautious to select products that we think have the highest chance of being reliable. Monito

Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA TL meter communication interference?

HI Kris, It sure seems unlikely that the inverter is interfering with the the utility meter unless the meter isn't programmed to run backwards? What kind of problem is the utility reporting? Best, August Luminalt *August Goers* Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559

Re: [RE-wrenches] "PV wire"

might help: http://solarprofessional.com/articles/design-installation/ungrounded-pv-power-systems-in-the-nec/page/0/9 Best, August *August Goers* Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559.1525 www.luminalt.com On Thu, Oct 23, 2014 at 2:29 PM, Marco Mangelsdorf wrote: > Y

Re: [RE-wrenches] Pathfinder vs. Suneye

All – Just a couple of quick comments – we’ve been using both Pathfinders and Suneye’s for several years. We’ve now primarily switched to the Solmetric Suneye for ease of running the full analysis report. A while ago we compared the same sites back to back between the Suneye software and Pathfin

Re: [RE-wrenches] Code reference request

Hi Dana, This is still a confusing issue, I agree. This article helps a bit: http://www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/pdf-resources/IAEI%20Mar_Apr%202012.pdf If you look in a SMA TL inverter installation manual, for example, they only mention equipment grounds – there is no reference to a GEC that I can f

[RE-wrenches] UL 1703 coming to California - anyone ready?

Hi All California Wrenches, As far as I understand, UL 1703 goes into law in California on Jan 1, 2015 and will require new fire rating classifications for many projects. Is anyone else currently planning what racking and modules they will be using to meet these requirements? I’ve been trying to

Re: [RE-wrenches] UL 1703 coming to California - anyone ready?

All – Bill Brooks wrote back to me and shared a draft NREL whitepaper on fire performance of PV systems he wrote. If you are interested, please contact me off list and I will share it with you (he said it was okay to share). Best, August *From:* August Goers [mailto:aug...@luminalt.com

Re: [RE-wrenches] UL 1703

Jay, We're basically at the mercy of racking and module manufacturers to get their documentation all lined up for us and very few have actually done so. To answer your question, I believe the answer is that we do need to buy listed racking and module combinations. My understanding is that most sta

Re: [RE-wrenches] Panels with 20.1% efficiency rating?

Hi Lou, The LG Mono X NeON 305 W 60 cell is 18.6% according to their website. I think that is about the best non-SunPower option you can readily get these days. http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/solar-panels/lg-LG305N1C-B3 Even Panasonic modules are only 19.4%: http://eu-solar.panasonic.n

[RE-wrenches] CPF Tools and other proposal tool options

Hi Wrenches, For the last couple of years we have been licensing CPF Tools and OnGrid to create PV proposals. Our sales reps are now almost exclusively using CPF Tools. Anyway, lately I understand that CPF (Clean Power Finance) is no longer offering phone or email support for those of us who

[RE-wrenches] anyone service Trace inverters in San Jose California area

Hi Wrenches, Please contact me offlist if you are interested in servicing a Trace grid tied battery backup system in San Jose California. Best, August August Goers Luminalt Energy Corporation aug...@luminalt.com ___ List sponsored by

[RE-wrenches] FW: Solmetric News - SunEye Discontinued

Wrenches, You may have received this rather sad email today too. Does anyone have an alternate shade tool that they like? I still like the old fashioned Pathfinder but it is too time consuming for the quantity of shade shots that we have to process. Best, August Luminalt *From:* Solmetr

Re: [RE-wrenches] ITC - updated question on post-2016

Hi Wrenches, Since we’re on the topic of the ITC, I have another question someone might be able to help with. Assuming that a system is placed into service prior to the end of 2016, it should qualify for the 30% tax credit. Some people do not have enough tax liability to take the whole credit in

Re: [RE-wrenches] Acid containment

Bill, Off the shelf plastic tool boxes also work, we’ve used those in the past. You wouldn’t necessarily need to build a wood box around the plastic tool box(es) since they will hold up on their own. It all goes back to the size and number of batteries that you need and whether you can find a bo

[RE-wrenches] Upgrading old inverters to TL?

gust August Goers Luminalt Energy Corporation o:415.641.4000 aug...@luminalt.com ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/opt

Re: [RE-wrenches] ITC - updated question on post-2016

Crutcher wrote: The tax credit can be carried back one year and forward 20 years. Unless the credit is extended, it applies to systems placed in service on any dwelling unit by Dec. 31, 2016. Thank you, Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems On 3/27/15 4:41 PM, August Goers wr

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV step-up transformer design

Hi Kelly, Sounds like a doozey. As others have posted, it sounds like an imbalance issue. However, it might be possible to solve the problem without replacing the major equipment (could just be wire size, phasing, fuses, etc?). Do you have a single line diagram you can share? Best, August

Re: [RE-wrenches] Acid containment - large plastic box

3/30/2015 11:35 AM, August Goers wrote: Bill, Off the shelf plastic tool boxes also work, we’ve used those in the past. You wouldn’t necessarily need to build a wood box around the plastic tool box(es) since they will hold up on their own. It all goes back to the size and number of batteries tha

Re: [RE-wrenches] flushing DHW collectors

Kirk, Any idea what kind of glycol was in the system? I’ve seen systems stagnate for several years where the propylene glycol was still fine if it was good quality. I’ve seen people use the automotive grade propylene glycol such as Sierra brand antifreeze with poor results. I think Glenn’s su

Re: [RE-wrenches] Copper bar current capacity?

Larry, There are many resources for this online. A quick search for "copper bar current rating chart" yields results like this: http://www.watteredge.com/pdf/Ampacity_Tables.pdf Best, August -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Beha

[RE-wrenches] Tesla Powerwall battery paired with solar

Hi Wrenches, I’m sure you’ve seen the Tesla Powerwall press releases by now: http://www.teslamotors.com/presskit/teslaenergy We are already getting calls from interested homeowners. The product mostly seems like a toy for wealthy people but nonetheless I would like to be educated in how it

Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee Sub Scanner versus Bosch D-Tect versus others?

Wrenches, We have a Bosch D-tect 100 and Milwaukee M12 sub-scanner. The Milwaukee is one of the most worthless stud finders I have ever used. It might be helpful for scanning concrete but is basically useless for any other scanning task that I've tried. It definitely won't work on a roof. The D-t

Re: [RE-wrenches] Working Space

Hi Adam, To the best of my knowledge there is no minimum height specified in the NEC. However, many inverter manufacturers specify a minimum height. You’ll need refer to the manual for that. Best, August *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of

[RE-wrenches] Properly disposing solar modules

All – Does anyone know that proper way to dispose of junk PV modules? I’ve heard that they should be recyclable but I’m having a hard time finding a place to take them. We’ve dealt with several BP recalls and they just take them to the landfill which seems like a shame. Best, August __

Re: [RE-wrenches] Morningstar new battery backup , more comments and opinions

All – On a related note to the one-day battery backup install, you may have seen Solarcity’s description of their battery backup offering. They are keeping the critical loads and scope very limited: http://www.solarcity.com/residential/backup-power-supply SolarCity will provide backup po

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fastening to light-guage steel framing

Davis, What type of roof is it? Corrugated steel? Best, August *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Davis Terrell *Sent:* Wednesday, June 10, 2015 12:07 PM *To:* re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Fastening to ligh

Re: [RE-wrenches] Repetitive and unknown arc-fault codes with this combination...Sunpreme bi-facial and Fronius IG

Howard, We haven’t installed Fronius inverters for a while, but I have some similar experience with SMA and ABB arc-fault inverters. In only one case did we have an issue where we actually had a workmanship issue – we found an MC4 connector where the terminal wasn’t fully seated in the housing.

[RE-wrenches] flat concrete tile product of choice

, August August Goers Luminalt Energy Corporation m: 415.559.1525 o:415.641.4000 aug...@luminalt.com ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings:

Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack

Chris, We’ve been using the new Unirac SM clamps with integrated grounding and our crews like them so far. No shattered modules. I’m happy that you brought this up as a potential issue and it seems like a good reminder for our crews to carefully torque our clamps. Best, August August

Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack

Chris, You are correct – there is just a bonding Unirac mid clamp. The new SM end clamp is basically the same as the old clamp but now comes preassembled with little rubberbands to keep it upright when placed on the rail. Best, August *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.r

Re: [RE-wrenches] AC modules O & M challenges

Hi Rebecca, My experience with ACPV is all SunPower but I imagine that the SolarBridge product is similar to what is used with BenQ. We have something in the range of 500 SunPower ACPV modules installed, almost all of the gen 1 SolarBridge variety. We’ve had several problems with the ACPV superv

Re: [RE-wrenches] Slate roof attachment?

Hi Lars, Slate is a tough one. We’ve always hired a roofer to work with us on slate roofs – they can setup toe boards (if it is steep) and work with our installers as we mount stanchions. We’ve used standard cylindrical posts such as Unirac standoffs or Pro Solar Fast Jacks and then they flash t

Re: [RE-wrenches] Clamp on Meter

I have a couple Fluke 381 meters which I love. The iflex current probe is great for checking individual branch circuit loads if you ever need to do that kind of work. The detachable display is handy but not completely necessary. Very good quality build. However, I would probably just buy the 376 if

Re: [RE-wrenches] Trina Module Annual Degradation

boB - I am under the impression that a manufacturer module power output warranty is just that - a warranty to guarantee the power output at a certain minimum level unless a warranty exclusion occurred such as physical damage, incorrect installation, etc. So, if a module is producing zero power it

Re: [RE-wrenches] Conduit across walkways

Andrew, I’m by no means an expert in this area, but it has come up over and over again for our commercial and residential installations. There is no question that a) avoiding conduit in walkways is nearly impossible and b) it is a trip hazard. I’m not aware of any particular OSHA requirements, t

Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

Hi Glenn and All – Most of these old systems have module cables made out of USE-2. So, just changing out the array USE-2 home runs won’t technically cut it. Something should be written into the code to allow old systems to use TL inverters for upgrades, especially since TL inverters are safer

Re: [RE-wrenches] Using the North Facing Roof

I think the point of view Peter shared has more to do with lower sloped North facing or other non-ideal orientations. The proof is in the pudding – just simulate the production and utility bill offset and see if the proposed orientation makes sense financially. We haven’t done any North facing arra

Re: [RE-wrenches] Using the North Facing Roof

Bill and Wrenches, I have been battling this issue for a while. Our sales folks are up against fierce competition and want to design a system that has the best return on investment. So, they will choose a reverse tilt system over a North facing array unless there is a strong deterrent to going

[RE-wrenches] clear sealant recommendations

Hi Wrenches, For the most part we are using Chemlink M1 sealant for to seal our rooftop penetrations. It hasn’t let us down yet. M1 is a available in several opaque colors and grey is the most common. Sometimes we want a good quality clear sealant to put around conduit fittings, where our con

[RE-wrenches] wiring methods between arrays

Hi Wrenches, I have another best practices questions: what are you doing to run your PV wire between arrays on a rooftops? This question has come up on this list in the past but I’m still on the hunt for a robust and faster lower cost method. We mostly install outdoor boxes on each sub array and

Re: [RE-wrenches] Standing metal seam clamps

Drake, For reference, I’d say that we need to pinch/crimp seams on 80% of our standing seam installs in order to get the S5 clamp to fit. As long as some cardboard is used to avoid scratching the galvanized-like coating (Galvalume, for example) we haven’t had any corrosion issues with S5 clamps.

Re: [RE-wrenches] California fire/PVclearnces

Hi Bill, See California 2013 Fire Code 605.11 Solar photovoltaic power systems. https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/bsc.ca.gov/gov.ca.bsc.2013.09.pdf *605.11 Solar photovoltaic power systems.* Solar photovoltaic power systems shall be installed in accordance with Sections 605.11.1 through

Re: [RE-wrenches] remember the pirate solar inverter?

Hi Nik: See Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_micro-inverter Quote: “In 1993 Mastervolt introduced their first grid-tie inverter , the Sunmaster 130S, based on a collaborative effort between Shell Solar, Ecofys and ECN. The 130

Re: [RE-wrenches] large array on 200 amp service

Upgrading the main panel to 400 A but keeping the 200 A main breaker is also an option. As always, there are many ways to achieve the code compliant interconnection and typically one will stand out as being the most cost effective while achieving the project goals. Best, August *From:* RE-

[RE-wrenches] Rooftop disconnect for multi tracker TLs

Wrenches, We have a few jurisdictions in the Bay Area that still require rooftop DC disconnects. We are installing a lot of SMA TL-22 inverters with dual MPPTs and if the system has more than 1 string it has been hard to source a good disconnect option (need 4 poles for switching two ungrounded

Re: [RE-wrenches] Availability of Powerwall Batteries

I’m chiming in a bit late on this one. Solaredge is compatible with SunPower. See the P400: http://www.solaredge.us/groups/us/powerbox/module-add-on Solarege has been very popular in the Bay Area among SunPower and non-SunPower dealers. I’ve attended a Tesla Powerwall training and the p

Re: [RE-wrenches] LiFePO4; WAS Availability of Powerwall Batteries

Larry, To get back to your previous response to me – I’m fully onboard with the benefits of lithium batteries. For now, they seem like the clear successor to lead acid technology. However, I’m still concerned about the ability of these smaller “integrators” to assemble cells and electronics toge

[RE-wrenches] NEC 705.12 Point of Connection - 120% rule for center-fed panelboards

All – We are seeing more AHJs not allowing us to use the NEC 7015.12(D)(2)(3)(b) 120% rule on center-fed panelboards. For example, if we have a 100 A meter/main combo with a center fed 100 A breaker we cannot apply the 120% rule at all and need to do a panel swap. What are other wrenches doing i

Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 705.12 Point of Connection - 120% rule for center-fed panelboards

of issues. They will side with John Wiles' interpretation. All that said, I will certainly work with some of our local Bay Area AHJs to see if they will be willing to look forward to the 2017 NEC language and accept the 120% rule for center-fed panelboards. I'll report back if I make progre

Re: [RE-wrenches] Successor to SunEye 210?

All – We still have several SunEyes and make it standard procedure to take shots on every roof. However, our sales reps have been using Solar Census with mostly good results: http://www.solarcensus.com/about/ I have not tried Aurora solar but my experience after running hundreds of Solar C

Re: [RE-wrenches] Rapid Shutdown

As a side note to this conversation, this brings up an advantage of the Tesla Powerwall battery – my understanding is that it will turn off immediately at the Powerwall battery when disconnected at the inverter. This is another nice benefit of having DC-to-DC conversion smarts in the Powerwall.

Re: [RE-wrenches] AFCI trip on metal roof

Hi Drake, What model SMA inverter(s) and modules do you have? We had one case where a MC4 connector under the array was not making good contact. It was not seated properly when the installer made up the connector and the arc fault sensor in the inverter did its job. We had another site where som

Re: [RE-wrenches] Does a Neutral Count as a CCC

In addition to what is stated below, my understanding is that neutrals in many commonly used inverter output circuits are not current carrying conductors either. You’ll have to check with your inverter manufacturer to be certain, however. Best, August Luminalt *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:

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