| This is a controversial topic in which many people feel | | | | utility company expects the solar to have been |
| that they should be allowed to perform their own solar | | | | installed by a licensed electrician who has full |
| panel system installations without being told that they | | | | knowledge of all electrical codes that must be met |
| need licensing. It is true that as a homeowner you can | | | | during its installation. The fact of the matter is that any |
| do whatever you like to your property because after | | | | grid-tie configuration immediately goes beyond the |
| all it is YOUR property but when it comes to what | | | | boundaries of the homeowners property when this |
| your property is connected too outside of its | | | | connection is made to the grid. So not only will your |
| boundaries then this is where utility companies and | | | | utility require this work to have been performed by a |
| building inspectors draw the line. For the most part | | | | licensed installer it will also require an inspection by their |
| homeowners tend to want what is known as a grid-tie | | | | personnel to ensure that all safety precautions have |
| solar panel system configuration and this simply means | | | | been taken for shutting off the solar matrix. The |
| that the home will be powered by both your solar | | | | reasoning for this is in the event that their personnel |
| electric panels and electric utility grid provided power | | | | have to conduct repairs to any part of their grid that is |
| where the solar energy takes precedence and is used | | | | connected to a solar power source they can |
| first. However, this type of configuration is what I | | | | de-energize it to protect their workers from potentially |
| would refer to as a give and take configuration which | | | | lethal electrical shock. |
| requires the approval of both the homeowner and their | | | | Agencies such as the North American Board of |
| electric utility company. | | | | Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) take these |
| During the daylight hours while your solar panels are | | | | requirements even further by requiring solar installers to |
| supplying electricity to your home there may be times | | | | receive additional training in a mentored program which |
| when the solar is generating more energy than the | | | | maintains their certifications through continuous training |
| home needs. It is at this time when the excess | | | | requirements. Licensed electricians are also required to |
| energy is actually being sent back out onto the utility | | | | maintain their licenses through on going training credits |
| grid power lines through a bi-directional electric meter. | | | | and these programs are in place to ensure that safety |
| This process is more commonly known as "Net | | | | procedures and building regulations are adhered too |
| Metering" and is how a home can generate and bank | | | | always. Only through using professionally licensed |
| electric credits with their electric utility. These same | | | | personnel who abide by these program requirements |
| credits are then used in whole or in part during the | | | | is the onus of responsibility placed squarely on the |
| evening hours when the solar panels can no longer | | | | installer. Homeowner's who attempt these installations |
| generate electrical power and depending on your | | | | without proper training and certification or licensing are |
| energy usage at night could result in there being left | | | | in fact opening themselves up to potential problems |
| over credits each month. These credits are then paid | | | | that could mean very expensive financial ramifications. |
| out either monthly, quarterly or annually at a given rate | | | | After all, if a family member needed surgery would |
| per kilo-watt hour depending on your electric utilities | | | | you actually consider performing it yourself without |
| payment schedule. | | | | actually being a trained and licensed surgeon? |
| Considering all of this it is reasonable that the electric | | | | |