Solar is the future and green, distributed energy supply is the way to go. PV solar systems are a very safe technology and for many years they've been built without any major safety issues.
However, the adoption of Module Level Shutdown (MLSD) in the National Electrical Code (NEC) has caused some unintended consequences. Because proper MLSD solutions are not available today, systems actually became more complex, less safe, and less reliable.
This puts a tremendous burden on solar installers and system buyers – and at the end, only helps utilities and non-renewable energy suppliers.
Let's fix Module Level Shutdown and do it the right way, so that solar can prosper!
The National Electrical Code requires shutdown devices to be added to virtually every single module. Such additional components at the module level would usually not be necessary for operating a solar system properly. However, solar installers are now forced to using technologies that have major downsides and unintended consequences:
Added Cost and Complexity
Shutdown devices must be added to every single module in a PV system. This increases complexity and cost of systems, as more hardware and more labor is required. On top of that, a duopoly controls 90% of the market for shutdown solutions, limiting customer choice and competition.
Having to add a shutdown device to every single module increases the workers time spent on the roof significantly, which adds to the risks of falling, slipping, or tripping.
Current solutions for Module Level Shutdown (MLSD) compromise the reliability of systems, because a vast number of sensitive electronics is placed in the harsh environment of a roof. Each of these components has a failure rate and wear rate over the 20+ years of a system's lifetime. This can turn into a big liability for solar installers and cause distrust in our industry.
A majority of systems with shutdown solutions based on DC optimizers and microinverters (90% of residential installations) produces less energy than systems without these module level power electronics.
Recent articles in mainstream media, such as CNBC or Business Insider, regarding solar fires with DC connector issues shine a bad light on the solar industry. They make look solar unsafe or not trustworthy. Ignoring this issue would be bad for the industry, becasue solar is generally a very safe technology!
Let’s fix Module Level Shutdown (MLSD) and promote innovative solutions that eliminate these problems and help grow distributed solar as an energy source. Such solutions are chip-based, module integrated, and based an open industry standard (SunSpec) - allowing for simplicity, standardized safety, reliability, and customer choice.
To prevent the unintended consequences of the current code requirements and to allow for systems that are simple, safe, and more reliable, we request that code makers make the following changes to the National Electric Code:
Request 1: Revert NEC 2020 690.12 (Module Level Shutdown) to NEC 2014 690.12 (Array Level Shutdown) requirements until proper solutions are available on the market, such as module-integrated, chip-based devices with an open industry standard
Request 2: Revert to NEC 2014 690.12 but keep the 1' array boundary
Request 3: Implementing a maximum electrical noise level requirement for rapid shutdown devices in 690.12
Request 4: Require 690.11 (Arc Fault Circuit Protection) to apply to all solar PV DC circuits, not just those above 80V, to detect any potential fire safety issues
I agree that module level rapid shut down adds cost and complexity while driving down system reliability. We need massive upscaling of solar pv on the grid to stabilize the climate crisis
The requirements for rapid shutdown that lead to MLPE on every roof mounted array need to be reconsidered. There are some situations where optimization is needed. But, for those situations where it is not, the only reason is for safety. If the added electronics make the roof less safe, then it would be good to get rid of the requirement.
I absolutely disagree with your premis that the rapid shut down requirement is bad, difficult, dangerous… for our industry.
This is about life safety for firemen & others that may be on the roof. The rapid shut down is being incorporated into the module J box in many cases ( NO additional work) or if needed to be incorporated into a module it is 5-10 minutes to plug the module into the box. Not only does it open circuit tall modules (if the grid goes away). It provides module level monitoring, and optimization in the instance of shading. what is not to like?
Bottom line – a safer, more efficient, better monitoring, installation that meets code & there for passes inspection!
surasak passorn signed Sign Now
2023-03-19 06:45:27 -0500
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Yordsapath Kanaraksakul signed Sign Now
2023-03-18 09:58:20 -0500
I agree with you.
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Cody Severson signed Sign Now
2023-03-10 09:21:01 -0600
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April Barrera signed Sign Now
2023-03-08 12:46:21 -0600
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Adam Taylor signed Sign Now
2023-03-07 09:08:57 -0600
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Kenneth Hach signed Sign Now
2023-03-06 16:14:02 -0600
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Luke Thigpen signed Sign Now
2023-03-03 12:52:34 -0600
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John Moeller signed Sign Now
2023-03-01 20:27:44 -0600
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Wes Kennedy signed Sign Now
2023-03-01 12:21:40 -0600
I agree that module level rapid shut down adds cost and complexity while driving down system reliability. We need massive upscaling of solar pv on the grid to stabilize the climate crisis
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Chris Schaefer signed Sign Now
2023-03-01 11:20:38 -0600
It’s about time common sense entered the picture. Thank you.
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Bob Heitzig signed Sign Now
via Kirn Wildhaber
2023-03-01 10:52:07 -0600
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Chris Daum signed Sign Now
2023-03-01 10:11:50 -0600
It’s unfair to hold the solar industry to standards other electrical functions do not have to meet.
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Ray Antonelli signed Sign Now
2023-03-01 09:19:36 -0600
Anything to make the installs safer and more reliable is good.
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Ben Gordesky signed Sign Now
2023-03-01 09:10:00 -0600
The requirements for rapid shutdown that lead to MLPE on every roof mounted array need to be reconsidered. There are some situations where optimization is needed. But, for those situations where it is not, the only reason is for safety. If the added electronics make the roof less safe, then it would be good to get rid of the requirement.
petition signature
Jeanette McDaniel signed Sign Now
via Kirn Wildhaber
2023-02-28 13:46:01 -0600
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Brenna Mathis signed Sign Now
via Kirn Wildhaber
2023-02-28 12:30:47 -0600
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Jill Lauchner signed Sign Now
via Kirn Wildhaber
2023-02-28 12:20:01 -0600
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Joni Sanders signed Sign Now
via Kirn Wildhaber
2023-02-28 10:09:01 -0600
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Denise Potthast signed Sign Now
via Kirn Wildhaber
2023-02-28 09:50:57 -0600
Making the solar industry safer is a win-win for everyone.
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Shawn Penn signed Sign Now
via Shawn Penn
2023-02-18 12:49:24 -0600
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Chris Thornburg signed Sign Now
via Shawn Penn
2023-02-18 11:53:52 -0600
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Tim Wright signed Sign Now
2023-02-16 12:38:05 -0600
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Kirn Wildhaber signed Sign Now
2023-02-16 08:56:05 -0600
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Kim Kring signed Sign Now
2023-02-11 01:33:49 -0600
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John O'Connor signed Sign Now
2023-02-10 08:53:08 -0600
I absolutely disagree with your premis that the rapid shut down requirement is bad, difficult, dangerous… for our industry.
This is about life safety for firemen & others that may be on the roof. The rapid shut down is being incorporated into the module J box in many cases ( NO additional work) or if needed to be incorporated into a module it is 5-10 minutes to plug the module into the box. Not only does it open circuit tall modules (if the grid goes away). It provides module level monitoring, and optimization in the instance of shading. what is not to like?
Bottom line – a safer, more efficient, better monitoring, installation that meets code & there for passes inspection!
That is the Solar industry I want to be part of
John O’Connor
Tesuque Electric & Solar
Santa Fe NM
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Stefan Schweizer signed Sign Now
2023-02-10 04:59:53 -0600
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Katelyn Mezo signed Sign Now
2023-02-09 08:37:53 -0600
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Tanner Allison signed Sign Now
2023-02-09 08:13:56 -0600
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Ing Martin Carrillo signed Sign Now
2023-02-09 00:53:24 -0600
Thanks
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Robert Mathis signed Sign Now
2023-02-08 19:56:49 -0600
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Module Level Shutdown in the National Electric Code has made #solar systems more complex, less safe, and less reliable. Let's #FixMLSD and do it the right way. Sign the petition:
Make Solar Simple, Safe, and More Reliable
Module Level Shutdown in the National Electric Code has made #solar systems more complex, less safe, and less reliable. Let's #FixMLSD and do it the right way. Sign the petition:
This is about life safety for firemen & others that may be on the roof. The rapid shut down is being incorporated into the module J box in many cases ( NO additional work) or if needed to be incorporated into a module it is 5-10 minutes to plug the module into the box. Not only does it open circuit tall modules (if the grid goes away). It provides module level monitoring, and optimization in the instance of shading. what is not to like?
Bottom line – a safer, more efficient, better monitoring, installation that meets code & there for passes inspection!
That is the Solar industry I want to be part of
John O’Connor
Tesuque Electric & Solar
Santa Fe NM