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Contractor Corner
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Resources for Contractors, Consultants and Suppliers

The Contractors Corner provides information to help Contractors and Consultants assist their customers with the steps needed to successfully complete the RenewableGenerations incentive program application, installation and approval process. Watch the Contractor’s Corner for program updates, special event announcements and information about future training opportunities.

Stay Informed
Upcoming Events, Workshops and Training Opportunities
Eligible Equipment Requirements
Licensing Requirements
 Contractors and Consultants List
Training Materials and Resources
Utility Standards for Net Metering
Variances to NV Energy Standards

Stay Informed

NOTIFY ME of upcoming RenewableGenerations events, workshops and program related updates.

If you are a contractor or consultant and would like to be notified of upcoming workshops, special event opportunities and program related updates, please email renewablegenerations@nvenergy.com.

Upcoming Events, Workshops and Training Opportunities

RenewableGenerations will frequently update this section with program and industry related events, workshops and training opportunities. Check back regularly for updates.

NABCEP Exams
  • Small Wind Installer Exam in September 2010
    • NABCEP will start accepting applications for the first administration of the Small Wind Installer Exam in September 2010.
  • PV Technical Sales Certification

    NABCEP has recently released the Job Task Analysis (JTA) for the much awaited PV Technical Sales Certification and will soon release the Eligibility Requirements for that Certification.The next scheduled Certification exam is September 11th, 2010 with the application deadline on July 9th, 2010.

For more information on how to become NABCEP Certified or to search for a NABCEP Certified installer, please visit www.nabcep.org.

 

Small Wind Training Opportunity -  TALCO University

Learn everything that you will need to know to become successful in the small wind industry during this intensive 5 day course including:

  • Executive Management:  Learn the Business Environment, Products, Navigate Federal & State Incentives, Create Successful Business Strategies & Great Customers 
  • Sales Training: Learn how to Prospect, Qualify, Close, & Manage your wind opportunities
  • Technical Training that will include: Site assessment, Wind   Theory, &  how to recommend specific turbine designs, taught by Wind Energy expert Mick Sagrillo 

Location: San Diego, CA

Date: October 18 - 22, 2010

Click here for more Talco University details

Please call or email Sean Holman to register

858-225-6443 direct
sean@talcoelectronics.com

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Eligible Equipment Requirements

      1. Systems must have the required warranties and never been installed at another location.
      2. System must be designed and installed to utility standards.
      3. Grid connection must be made by an active Nevada C-2 licensed electrical contractor.
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Licensing Requirements

The State of Nevada requires all installers of photovoltaic systems to hold an annually renewable PV license requirement. Those who want to apply for the Photovoltaic Installer License should contact one of the offices (listed below) of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Or you can go to: http://dirweb.state.nv.us/OSHA/osha.htm.

Southern Nevada District Office:

John Hutchison
1301 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 200
Henderson, NV 89074
Phone: (702) 486-9064
Fax: (702) 990-0360

Northern Nevada District Office:

Rich Meier
4600 Kietzke Lane,
Building F-Suite 153
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (775) 824-4602
Fax: (775) 688-1378

Nevada PV Installers License Application

NV Energy is not affiliated with and does not administer the Photovoltaic license program in Nevada. The Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration is solely responsible for the administration of the photovoltaic licensing program as detailed in NRS 618.

 

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Contractors and Consultants Website List

NV Energy provides a contractor and consultant’s list as a convenience for NV Energy customers. The list was developed to help customers identify renewable energy professionals who can assist them with the design and installations of their renewable energy systems. The contractors and consultants list is presented for information purposes only and does not constitute as an endorsement or preference of any listed contractor or consultant.

Email us if you are a solar, wind or hydro renewable energy contractor or consultant and would like to be added to our contractors and consultants list. Please include the below information in the body of your email.

Please add my business to your contractors and consultants list.

Business Name:
Contact Person:
Email Address:
Website:
Phone #:
Fax#:
Address:

Do you provide service for:
Solar: Yes or No?
Wind: Yes or No?
Hydro: Yes or No?

CHANGES:

It is the contractors and consultants responsibility to inform NV Energy of any changes made to their listing. Email us your changes if your business is listed on the contractors and consultants list and needs to be updated. Include the below information in the body of your email.

Please update my listing on your contractors and consultants list.

Business Name:
Contact Person:
Email Address:

Old information:
New Information:

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Training Materials and Resources

A Guide to Photovoltaic System Design
Advanced PV System Design and Installation
Bill Brooks: National Electrical Code (NEC) Compliance for Photovoltaic (Solar Electric) for Building and Fire Officials
Seminar Inspectors Training Manual
Boots on the Roof
Code Organizer Drawing Interactive PDF
Core Basics [2.15MB Powerpoint]
Designing and Installing Code-compliant PV Systems
Expedited Permit Process for PV Systems
Expediting Process one page summary
Guide to PV System Design and Installation
Installer Guidelines
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
IREC Training Materials
NABCEP- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
NABCEP Study Guide
NABCEP Small Wind Installer Certification Exam Resource Guide
NEC 690 [1.78MB Powerpoint]
NREL’s Solar Advisor Model (SAM)
PV Inspector/Installer Checklist
PV Systems and the 2005 NEC
PV System Labels
Shade Monster [6MB Powerpoint]
Solar American Board of Codes and Standards
Solar Energy International (SEI)
Solar Living Institute

NV Small Wind Conference Presentations- August 10, 2010

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Utility Standards for Net Metering

These utility standards for a Net Metering system are required on each approved and installed system. They include the engineering requirements for the REC meter and utility disconnect. Contractors are required to incorporate these standards in the design.

Technical Tips

  1. 400 Amps residential services.  These normally have two 200 A circuit breakers; one of these breakers serves a distribution center that is rated at 200 Amps and not 400 amps. The largest PV system that can be connected to the 200 A section is ~ 7.5 kw. Installation of systems larger than 7.5 kW will require modifications to the electrical system.
  2. Voltage imbalance. Install of a single phase inverter on a three phase system may create a voltage imbalance what impacts the customer’s three phase motors. Current imbalance is normally 6 to 20 times larger than voltage imbalance.
  3. Voltage Rise.  Energy flow is always from a higher voltage to a lower voltage, even when the voltage difference is very small.  The inverter operation will create a voltage rise within the customer’s facility. Depending on the exact configuration within the customer’s facility, the effect of the voltage rise may impact operation of customer equipment or cause the inverter to cycle on and off.
  4. Safety Switch. NV Energy policy requires a visible, lockable, readily-accessible disconnecting means (industry-standard safety switch) that is wired so that the movable blades are de-energized in the open position. The exception to NEC Article 404.6 is not applicable because inverters are independent voltage sources.
  5. Supply side taps.  Taps for distributed generation including PV systems are permissible under the National Electric Code. However, any modification to service equipment may compromise the UL listing of the service equipment.  Most residential service equipment has a combination meter, service disconnect (main), and possibly a distribution section. Supply side taps to this equipment will normally compromise the listing of the equipment and is therefore not allowed.   SSwitchboard and some wall mounted service equipment can successfully be modified to accommodate the supply side tap. However, the equipment manufacturer, the AHJ, or a third party NRTL will have to provide documentation that the equipment is still listed..
  6. Load Side Taps.  The tap rules under the National Electric Code are designed for load and not sources. Addition of sources as a tap configuration may create a dual source bus and the existing load is now a tap configuration and needs to be properly protected. PV systems and other sources have to be connected so that system conductors and all other conductors are properly protected. The NEC specifically requires that the system connect to dedicate circuit breaker or fuse.
  7. Inspections. Design review and Inspection by the AHJ or other recognized third party is required. Contact NVE at  TSimmons@NVEnergy.com  with any questions about special circumstances such federal reservations or when AHJ declines to exercise jurisdiction.
  8. Meter Sockets.  Meter Sockets are normally designed to be installed on the supply side of the service disconnecting means and may have a bonded neutral that is part of the listed assembly. Removing the bond compromises the listing.   Meter sockets are to be wired so that energy from the source is connected to the top jaws to measure gross production.      

Single Phase Invertors

Voltage

120/240 V 1 Ph 3W.

Self-contained meter socket

4 Jaw meter enclosure up to 400 Amps

Instrument rated metering system

6 jaw meter socket with CT compartment

Three phase invertors or single phase invertors configured a three phase inverter

Voltage

120/208 V 3 Ph 4W
Self-contained meter socket:

7 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps 
Instrument rated metering system:

13 jaw meter socket with CT compartment

Voltage

120/240 V 3 Ph 4W.

Self-contained meter socket:

7 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps   

Instrument rated metering system:

13 jaw meter socket with CT compartment

Voltage

277/480 V 3 ph 4W.

Self-contained meter socket:

7 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps     

Instrument rated metering system:

13 jaw meter socket with CT compartment

Voltage

240 V 3 ph 3W.

Self-contained meter socket:

5 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps    

Instrument rated metering system:

8 jaw meter socket with CT compartment

Voltage

480 V 3 ph 3W.

Self-contained meter socket:

5 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps     

Instrument rated metering system:

 8 jaw meter socket with CT compartment

One or two invertors configured as an unbalanced source on three phase systems

Voltage

120/208 V 3 Ph 4W.

Self-contained meter socket:

5 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps 
Instrument rated metering system:

Not Recommended

Voltage

120/240 V 3 Ph 4W. .

Self-contained meter socket:

7 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps  

Instrument rated metering system:

Not Recommended

Voltage

277/480 V 3 ph 4W.

Self-contained meter socket:

7 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps  

Instrument rated metering system:

Not Recommended

Voltage

240 V 3 ph 3W.  1 inverter

Self-contained meter socket:

4  Jaw meter enclosure up to 400 Amps  

Instrument rated metering system:

Not Recommended

Voltage

240 V 3 ph 3W.  2 inverters

Self-contained meter socket:

5 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps

Instrument rated metering system:

Not Recommended

Voltage

480 V 3 ph 3W.  1 or 2 invertors

Self-contained meter socket:

5 Jaw meter safety socket enclosure up to 200 Amps   

Instrument rated metering system:

Not Recommended

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Variances to NV Energy Standards

Please contact Mari Estep, 702-402-6189.