Why Choose Freedom Power
Often the question is asked "Why would I choose Freedom Power over brand X ?"
In our opinion there are several things that should be considered when choosing a reputable
solar installer and in the end the choice is quite clear.
First, licensing. Freedom Power was the first Louisiana state licensed solar
contractor and has a state issued commercial electrical contractor's
license #52863. Beware of companies operating that do not have specifically an
electrical contractor's license nor a solar contractor's license. Why does it
matter if the company you choose carries the proper licensing? Two reasons.
Licensing is based on one person in the company being able to pass an exam
that ensures that they are competent in the NEC code. If a company does not have
an electrical license, it means that there is no one in the company competent in
the NEC code. The National Electrical Code is intended to ensure all electrical
work is preformed to a standard that protects lives. If there is no one in
the company you hire to install your solar energy system that is a licensed
electrical contractor with a specialty in solar energy systems, how are you to
know if they can safely install your solar energy system.
Rebates. If you hire a contractor that is not properly licensed your
installation will not legally qualify for the 50% state rebate. The Louisiana
state rebate bill clearly states that for the customer to be able to receive the
50% rebate on the full cost of installation a Louisiana state solar contractor
must carry out the work. You can read the bill here.
The second thing to look at is insurance. To be totally confident in a contractor's
credentials when it comes to insurance you should ask for a certificate of
insurance be faxed directly from the insurance company of the contractor. The
contractor should have no problem providing this information. Freedom
Power is fully insured with workman's comp and general liability insurance and
will happily provide a certificate upon request.
Third, experience. Some companies like to talk about numbers. Unfortunately
despite how substantial some claims are as to how many installation one company
might have done, numbers are not a direct indication of how well of a job they
may do on your installation. Doing something wrong 350 times does not make it
right. Freedom Power has installed a substantial number of solar energy systems
and the most important thing is that our installations are done right by
competent installers. Every Freedom Power installation is overseen by a person who has proven
his or her qualifications as a competent solar installer be becoming a National
Association of Board Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified installer.
This ensures that every part of your solar energy system installation is carried
out to the highest standards.
When we quote a system it is turn key. You should never have
to pay taxes on top of a turn key price. We believe you should have a choice of
what size system, not just a certain number of panels. And the company selling
you the system should be happy to disclose all details concerning the system you
are purchasing including the modules brand and size that they are installing.
Every part of the installation should be listed for purpose including the
racking. The overall size of the system should equal the number of module
multiplied by the size of the module. If these do not add up something is
wrong.
Big Name Solar
Freedom Power has been called upon to inspect and repair installations done by
Big Name solar installers.
Big Name solar are companies who like to stand on a long reputation and large numbers of installs.
We have found that Big Name solar often does not have the same level of quality
as our installations. Here are some examples of Big Name solar installs and
deficiencies found. Keep in mind that these Big Name companies with their cookie
cutter systems all claim to be able to service you better and that they are more
qualified simply because they have done more work than other companies.
Hopefully they will be able to service you better because from the looks of it
you will need a lot of service. Then again we were called out despite the
claims.
This is a single phase, 240 VAC system where the neutral is broken by the
A/C disconnect.
NEC code 690.13 states: A switch, circuit breaker, or other device, either ac
or dc, shall not be installed in a grounded conductor if operation of that
switch, circuit breaker, or other device leaves the marked, grounded conductor
in an ungrounded and energized state.
This is a typically example of Big Name solar attempting to cut cost, but
ending up wasting time and still violating code. Here they have taken an off the
shelf plastic junction box and screwed a fuse holder to the box cover. There is up to 600 VDC on the exposed metal terminals of the fuse
holders. Guess at least they have protection for the solar panels on the roof
before dropping the power through the roof in PVC? Oh yeah, that is still not
legal either.
NEC says: 690.17 Switch or Circuit Breaker. The disconnecting means for
ungrounded conductors shall consist of a manually operatable switch(es) or
circuit breaker(s) complying with all of the following requirements: (1) Located
where readily accessible, (2) Externally operatable without exposing the
operator to contact with live parts, (3) Plainly indicating whether in the open
or closed position (4) having an interruptible rating sufficient for the nominal
circuit voltage and the current that is available at the line terminals of the
equipment. Where all terminals of the disconnecting means may be energized in
the open position, a warning sign shall be mounted on or adjacent to the
disconnecting means. The sign shall be clearly legible and have the following
words or equivalent: Warning! Electrical Shock Hazard. Do not touch terminals.
terminals on both the line and load side may be energized in the open position.
690.31 (E) Direct-Current Photovoltaic source and Output Circuits Inside a
Building. Where direct-current photovoltaic source or output circuits of a
utility-interactive inverter from a building-integrated or other photovoltaic
system are run inside a building or structure, they shall be in metal raceways,
or metal enclosures, from the point of penetration of the surface of the
building or structure to the first readily accessible disconnecting means. The
disconnecting means shall comply with 690.14 (A) through (D). (A) Disconnecting
Means. The Disconnecting means shall not be required to be suitable as service
equipment and shall comply with 690.17.
In addition you can see the make shift solar racking used. In the
installation the Big Name solar company in question has also used aluminum
Uni-Strut for mounting their panels to. There is no NEC requirements for panel
mounting; however, national building code requires all equipment be built for
purpose. We at Freedom Power feel that aluminum Uni-Strut is sub standard. Like
all other products we install, we use only engineered and built for purpose
solar mounting systems such as products made by companies like Uni Rac, DP&W and
the SRS racking systems made by Sharp.
Freedom Power was called to look at this Big Name solar installed system because
the customer was not getting as much energy as they felt like they should be
receiving from their system. Big Name solar told them that the system was
working properly. We found a screw on one of the four breakers that feed the
system completely backed off like it had never been made up, reducing the output
of the system 25%. The documents supplied to the customer by the salesman of the
company stated that the system size was different from what was actually
installed and the customer was told by by the same company that they did not
have anyone who was capable of reprogramming the system.
In addition, once again here is an example where the company in question did not feel the need to
protect the circuits coming from the roof before going through the roof even
though they used PVC conduit.
NEC states: 690.31 (E) Direct-Current Photovoltaic source and Output Circuits
Inside a Building. Where direct-current photovoltaic source or output circuits
of a utility-interactive inverter from a building-integrated or other
photovoltaic system are run inside a building or structure, they shall be in
metal raceways, or metal enclosures, from the point of penetration of the
surface of the building or structure to the first readily accessible
disconnecting means. The disconnecting means shall comply with 690.14 (A)
through (D).
This takes the cake. Here the company in question has taken aluminum Uni
Strut, plywood and devised their own make shift battery box. These flooded batteries
were in a closet with two gas water heaters and no ventilation. The back of the
plywood cover is partly supported by a 1/2" copper water line. The "battery box"
has no door or lock much less a warning sign . Big Name considers this a battery box,
we consider
it a bomb waiting to explode.
Let see what
the NEC says. 480.9 (A) Ventilation. Provisions shall be made for sufficient
diffusion and ventilation of the gasses from the battery to prevent the
accumulation of an explosive mixture.
110.20 and 110.21 - Enclosures shall be marked for purpose. The built for
purpose box for this application also requires a door with a lock
110.23 (F) 1 (a) Dedicated Electrical Space - No piping, ducts, leak protection
apparatus or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be
located in this zone.
690.34 (F) The photovoltaic power source shall be labeled with the
following warning at each junction box, combiner box, disconnect, and device
where energized, ungrounded circuits may be exposed during service:
Warning electrical shock hazard. The DC conductors of this photovoltaic system
are ungrounded and may be energized.
Another disconnect, more problems. Here a fused bladed disconnect is used when a
non fused bladed disconnect is required. The non fused disconnect is required by
all utility companies. But more importantly than what was installed is what is missing. The metal box is
not bonded meaning that if this box was to become energized, it could
electrocute someone before a breaker would trip.
NEC: 250.110 Equipment Fastened in Place or Connected by Permanent Wiring
Methods (Fixed). Exposed non-current carrying metal parts of fixed equipment
likely to become energized shall be connected to the equipment grounding
conductor under any of the following conditions: (1) Where within 2.5 m (8 ft)
vertically or 1.5m (5 ft) horizontally of ground or grounded metal objects and
subject to contact by persons (2) Where located in a wet or damp location and
not isolated
We fixed these deficiencies also.
Once again, what is missing is just as important as what is in place. This wire
has no protection from being cut from the sharp metal on the box.
NEC: 300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage (B) (1) Nonmetallic-Sheathed
Cable. In both exposed and concealed locations where nonmetallic-sheathed cables
pass through either factory- or field-punched, cut, or drilled slots or holes in
metal members, the cable shall be protected by listed bushings or listed
grommets covering all metal edges that are securely fastened in the opening
prior to installation of the cable.
Finally there is just poor design on the part of Big name solar. We were asked
to compare a pole mount system installed by another company to what we were
quoting. We found that the inverter selected was operating close to it's minimum
DC input voltage. What this means is that the system will work for several year,
however; with time, panel degradation, soiling and heat, there is a good chance
that the array at times will drop below the inverter's minimum input voltage and
stop functioning much of the summer months. The company used 10 AWG wire that
meets NEC but, but has a 2.5% voltage loss. We recommend a 1% to 1.5%
voltage loss for proper operation of the inverter. In addition, we could not find any documentation of
where the Top of Pole mount system was sourced from or engineering documentation
to determine if the mounting structure had been installed correctly.
If you ask us, these are just a few example of how Big Name solar lacks the
oversight by knowable installers to safely install solar energy systems.
For installations done right the first time give Freedom Power, LLC a call
today.
