California License #833782: Solar, Electrical, Trenching, Pole, Low Voltage Systems - Instrumentation Contractor: "The qualifying individual is the person who meets the experience and examination requirements for the license and who is responsible for the employer's or principal's construction operations. The qualifying individual must document at least four (4) full years of journeyman-level or higher experience in the classification." Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Certified PV System Installer #17: "Several years of hands-on experience in the field. Hands-on experience or equivalent knowledge including installing, building, repairing, troubleshooting, diagnosing, verifying and performing tasks involved in electrical work either residential or commercial."
The best way to inspect and determine the workmanship and value of a solar energy system is onsite and by looking on above and under the solar modules - look under the hood - for damage and defects of a rooftop or ground-mounted solar energy system.
CODE COMPLIANCE AND THE SOLAR INDUSTRY For example, local AHJ Inspections determine Code compliance (Electrcal and the I codes), non local goverment AHJ inspections may include performance, workmanship, industry standard practices, contracts and the Business and Professions (B&P) Code.
A independent inspection or review of existing or new proposed physical installations to industry standards and best practices - from a licensed certified PV installer perspective: If the system is existing, we will only (1) identify the issues and (2) provide you with an $ estimate cost to fix the issues and NOT contract to fix the system. For example, may be issues with poor workmanship, not following manufacture's instructions and other issues. After our independent inspection, we will not contract correct your issues would be a conflict of interest. We only contract for NEW system installations.
Sub-100kW Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy with an Electric Vehicle (EV) solution with or without an Energy Storage System (ESS). Contract to install up to a 15 kW Solar (Photovoltaic) Energy System - California Locations Only. Requirements: 1. An option total of 8, 12, 16, 24 or 48 modules or at 3.8 kW or 7.6kW ground-mounted solar energy system up to approximately 15 kW. 2. The distance from the residential structure of up to 300 feet from the point of connection. 3. The alternatives would be traditional string, micro-inverter or dc converter/inverter solutions. If a traditional inverter is selected in a ground-mount and is on the building, other requirements may apply. 4. The ground-mounted system must have 10 feet all around clear of brush and at least 3 feet from the property line.
Martin Herzfeld is not only a licensed contractor, but also teaches as an adjuct college professor, but also is contract training provider in a school district, utility and a trainer at community based organizations. Solar energy for the future of the children: "Herz ❤️ feld ⛰️" in German means "Heart Field" and we specialize in consulting, inspection and contracting of field ground-mounted solar energy systems. Deploying ☀ solar ⚡️ energy 🔋systems ⛰️ with the love of people 👵🏽❤️ + planet 🌎 in mind, where 🚗 = Zero. Simply, it's about the impact of people and a net-zero energy impact on the planet.
Two Parables of Happiness and One Happy Ending:
Story #1: Mixed Emotions at a Solar Party - A customer was so happy to purchase a brand new solar PV energy system, they invited their colleagues and friends to a solar party. Announcements were printed and mailed. On the day of the party, all the guests went up on the roof to examine the new system and the roof collapsed. This puts a damper on any event. What would you have managed differently in this parable? Both commercial and residential solar systems require project management with complete technical process elaboration. In addition, consider the structual critera for both residential rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy installations for one- and two- family dwellings.
Story #2: Mixed Emotions after a New Installation - A contractor was scheduled to complete and installation while the homeowner was at work. The solar array was going to be installed and the inverter was to mounted on the ouside of the home and there was no need for anyone to be home during the installation. The homeowner was happy they were getting a brand new solar energy system to help the planet. As the homowner was driving home, they noticed their neighbor had a solar energy system installed too. They were happy others were making a wise decision too. As they continued to drive down the street, they noticed that their system had not be installed yet. The contractor installed the solar energy system on the wrong rootop because the address on the work order was transposed.