Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: earshavewalls, Location: NJ
Asked on: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 10:35 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:40 am EDT
Question: One of our local electrical contractors just sent this question in an email:"I have a customer who is considering buying a building that has a 250Kw solar array on the roof, this building happens to be next door to his existing business that is appx. 50,000 sq. feet, it is a manufacturing facility and is a pig it eats a lot of electricity. He wants to know if it is possible to pull a permit to pull power from the inverter in the building he is considering buying and feeding his existing business, this would entail trenching the parking lot and installling a couple conduits and feeder wires to feed the main switchgear. I am also going to call Edison and see if they approve, let me know your thoughts on this."I cannot find any code that permits or prohibits this. I have a gut feeling that this just is not right, but cannot locate the code or codes that would prohibit this installation. I honestly think it would be less expensive to install a PV system on the manufacturing building than buying the building next door and using its PV system.I would appreciate some help from some of the other code experts out there........where do I hang my hat on this one?
Code Implications
NEC Article 690
While it covers photovoltaic (PV) systems, it does not explicitly address the use of PV energy generated on one property to supply another.
NEC Article 705
Covers interconnected electric power production sources, but it primarily focuses on utility-scale systems and does not directly apply to this situation.
Potential Issues
Ownership and Liability
The customer would own and be responsible for the PV system on the neighboring property. In case of accidents or malfunctions, liability could be unclear.
Interconnection and Metering
To connect the PV system to the manufacturing facility's electrical distribution system, the customer would need to obtain approval from the local utility. The utility would likely require a separate meter and billing arrangement for the PV energy.
Property Boundaries and Easements
The trenching and conduit installation through the parking lot would require easements or agreements with both property owners.
Code Compliance
The installation would need to meet all applicable electrical codes, including NEC requirements for grounding, overcurrent protection, and wiring methods.
Recommended Approach
Consult with Local Authorities
The electrical contractor should reach out to the local building and electrical inspectors to determine if the proposal is feasible and meets code requirements.
Explore Alternative Options
As the contractor mentioned, installing a PV system directly on the manufacturing building may be a more cost-effective and straightforward solution without the need for extensive trenching and interconnection complexities.*
Consider a Shared PV System
If it is possible to obtain easements or agreements between the property owners, the customer could explore the possibility of a shared PV system that supplies both properties. However, this would require careful planning and legal agreements.
Conclusion:
Based on the information provided, it is not clear whether the proposed installation is explicitly prohibited by code. However, there are significant ownership, liability, interconnection, and code compliance issues that need to be carefully considered. It is recommended to consult with local authorities and explore alternative options before proceeding with the proposal. Flag for review