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
Really be on panel rapid shut down … the separate add on boxes from solar inverter mfrs make wiring more complex , lessen reliability , add more equipment and labor costs … on residential and commercial projects…
On commercial projects using a solar edge or enphase just adds too much cost when talking hundreds or thousands … or even 10’000’s of solar panels … on panel rapid shutdown also guarantees that it is on every job abs every solar panel
Texas needs to legalize proper and legitimate off grid power for those clients that are willing to commit to the learning and development of how to maintain and operate such systems, because we are now fully aware that ERCOT obviously can’t manage the energy grid (regardless of the fact that the CEO is making $800,000 in annual salary)
Eliminate RSD requirments for good. Arc Foult detection provides everything that’s needed. How many injuries (if any) have ever actually occurred the RSD would have made ANY differance?
This has created a duopoly between enphase and solaredge. Increased the cost to customer, and increased the # of connectors (the most common failure point).
Rapid shut down is single handedly the worst change the industry has ever faced. More fire setbacks being enforced and adopted by AHJs is the next thing we need to fight. Customers should be allowed to get as much PV as they wish on their own home’s roof.
Module level shut down increases our costs and roof time dramatically while not providing significant fire personnel safety over array area shut down. It also dramatically increases equipment failure service calls with the added roof time in what are even more unsafe conditions than during installation.
Recent Activity
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Jane Kapten signed Sign Now
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2021-03-16 10:36:59 -0500
My electricity has doubled
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Jonathan Mason signed Sign Now
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Eric Youngberg signed Sign Now
2021-03-15 15:14:10 -0500
Really be on panel rapid shut down … the separate add on boxes from solar inverter mfrs make wiring more complex , lessen reliability , add more equipment and labor costs … on residential and commercial projects…
On commercial projects using a solar edge or enphase just adds too much cost when talking hundreds or thousands … or even 10’000’s of solar panels … on panel rapid shutdown also guarantees that it is on every job abs every solar panel
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Tom McCalmont signed Sign Now
2021-03-15 13:19:09 -0500
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Doug Ahlfeld signed Sign Now
2021-03-15 13:12:16 -0500
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David Scally Jr. signed Sign Now
via Ben Zook
2021-03-11 07:04:38 -0600
Texas needs to legalize proper and legitimate off grid power for those clients that are willing to commit to the learning and development of how to maintain and operate such systems, because we are now fully aware that ERCOT obviously can’t manage the energy grid (regardless of the fact that the CEO is making $800,000 in annual salary)
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Jeffrey Kime signed Sign Now
via Ben Zook
2021-03-11 03:33:29 -0600
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I’ll spread the word best I can.
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Benjamin McFeeters signed Sign Now
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Ben Zook signed Sign Now
2021-03-10 14:27:43 -0600
Eliminate RSD requirments for good. Arc Foult detection provides everything that’s needed. How many injuries (if any) have ever actually occurred the RSD would have made ANY differance?
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James Mast signed Sign Now
2021-03-10 08:18:20 -0600
Let’s do this
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2021-03-04 12:47:49 -0600
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Zachary Weber signed Sign Now
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2021-03-03 17:43:29 -0600
This has created a duopoly between enphase and solaredge. Increased the cost to customer, and increased the # of connectors (the most common failure point).
It increases the cost without increasing safety.
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Ryan Lengacher signed Sign Now
2021-03-02 07:24:17 -0600
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Sharon Foxworthy signed Sign Now
2021-03-01 12:34:31 -0600
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2021-02-25 13:12:12 -0600
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Nathan Traynor signed Sign Now
2021-02-25 13:09:37 -0600
Rapid shut down is single handedly the worst change the industry has ever faced. More fire setbacks being enforced and adopted by AHJs is the next thing we need to fight. Customers should be allowed to get as much PV as they wish on their own home’s roof.
petition signature
Donald Osborn signed Sign Now
2021-02-25 11:34:14 -0600
Module level shut down increases our costs and roof time dramatically while not providing significant fire personnel safety over array area shut down. It also dramatically increases equipment failure service calls with the added roof time in what are even more unsafe conditions than during installation.
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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:
On commercial projects using a solar edge or enphase just adds too much cost when talking hundreds or thousands … or even 10’000’s of solar panels … on panel rapid shutdown also guarantees that it is on every job abs every solar panel
It increases the cost without increasing safety.