WAC 296-46B-690   Solar photovoltaic systems.  

     002 Definitions.

     (1) Photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic system may conduct alternating current, direct current, or both and will comprise all interconnected circuits to the point of connection with the building distribution circuits or utility service conductors.

     (2) Support structure, foundation, and tracker. For the purposes of this section, those portions of the array or tracker that are exclusively mechanical and are built specifically for the purpose of physically supporting the modules or panels will not be considered part of the photovoltaic system as defined by this article.

     004 Installation.

     (3) A photovoltaic system design review must be submitted at the time of the first inspection. The design review must be available to the inspector on the job site. Permit holders must submit, to the electrical authority having jurisdiction, copies of the photovoltaic equipment manufacturer's installation information, accompanied by a legible one-line diagram of the photovoltaic design and calculations used to determine voltage and current within the photovoltaic system. This diagram must show the photovoltaic equipment, devices, overcurrent protection, conductor sizing, grounding, ground fault protection if required, and any system interconnection points.

     (4) For utility interactive systems, persons making interconnections between solar photovoltaic system and the utility distribution network must consult the serving utility and are required to meet all additional utility standards.

     007 Maximum voltage.

     (5) The open-circuit voltage temperature coefficients supplied in the instructions of listed photovoltaic modules will be used to determine the maximum direct current photovoltaic system voltage. Otherwise the voltage will be calculated using Table 690.7 of the NEC. For the purposes of this calculation, a temperature correction factor of 1.25 will be used unless another factor can be justified and is approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

     053 Direct-current photovoltaic power source.

     (6) All photovoltaic equipment and disconnecting means must be permanently identified as to their purpose, maximum voltages, and type of current within the system with an identification plate. All photovoltaic circuits must be identified at each overcurrent protection device(s) and panel directory(ies).

     (7) Required "WARNING" labels as specified by NEC 690 are required to be an identification plate on or immediately adjacent to the pertinent equipment.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.281, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551. 09-20-032, § 296-46B-690, filed 9/29/09, effective 10/31/09; 08-24-048, § 296-46B-690, filed 11/25/08, effective 12/31/08.]