Comments on: 2023 code changes to rapid shutdown requirements solar installers should know

By: Eric BENTSEN

Eric BENTSEN — Mon, 20 May 2024 20:20:13 +0000

More points of connection means more possible points of failure, and electronic circuits don’t like heat. Rooftops are subjected to temps that exceed 160F.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 01:56:41 +0000

In reply to Alex Keene.

Simplicity is key. Adding things like disconnection relays and multiple extra connections at each panel is a TERRIBLE solution seemingly driven by a couple of companies that manufacture such solutions. In my professional engineering opinion – MLPE has made solar much less safe by significantly increasing the risk and in practice – the number of fires that first responders have to respond to in the first place. In my fire investigation experience traveling the country to investigate solar related fires; MLPE devices and PV connectors are the main causes of solar system fires.

By: Alex Keene

Alex Keene — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 13:51:00 +0000

Excellent article – system simplicity is key (less connections is inherently more safe), even more for the solution required by First Responders exposed to the risks that PV systems can provide. We strongly believe that until PV systems are engineered, inspected and maintained to be failsafe or a method for early fault detection for all PV systems is mandated and implemented at initial installation phase as a priority, then the application of a temporary light blocking coating to the panels which will safely de-energise the entire system is the best available option to First Responders. We are seeing global Firefighters increasingly turning to this solution as they seek a simple, safe and effective solution in their toolkit to Make Safe and Isolate the Risk for incidents where solar PV systems are involved.
This enables a form of stasis from which PV system faults can be safely identified and resolved by competent personnel, or if the source of ignition is not the solar PV system then the PV system risks are mitigated for First Responder safety as they carry out their tasks. What I do find strange is that UL do not consider including a solution that addresses the energy generation at source for First Responders: stop the source, protect lives and assets safely.