Guidelines for Homeowners Installing Power Production Systems

Article 690 of the National Electrical Code requires that persons installing photovoltaic and wind systems are qualified to do so. Being licensed or having a license exemption to perform such installations may not make you qualified to perform the installation. We have had several instances of licensed electricians, NABCEP trained and certified individuals and homeowners claiming the license exemption under Idaho Statute, who do not meet the Qualified Persons definition of the National Electrical Code.The NEC defines a Qualified Person as “One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.Qualified Persons should possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities before installing solar photovoltaic, wind and other power generating systems.

• Understand the potential arc flash hazards of the system you are working on.
• Can recognize electrical safety hazards and how to avoid potential hazards.
• Understand the construction and operation of the electrical equipment you are installing.
• For systems operating over 1000 volts, understand the requirements of Part III of article 110 of the NEC.
• Understand all general NEC codes and codes related to wiring and protection, wiring methods and materials, equipment for general use as applicable.
• Understand all requirements of Article 690 Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Article 691 Large-Scale Photovoltaic systems as applicable.
• Understand the requirements of Article 480 Storage Batteries as applicable.
• Understand the requirements of Article 702 Optional Standby systems as applicable.
• Understand the requirements of Article 705 Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources.
• Understand the requirements of Article 706 Energy Storage Systems as applicable.
• Understand the requirements of Article 710 Stand Alone systems as applicable.
• Understand and be familiar with all other code requirements of the NEC, local and state building codes, design and installation requirements, jurisdictional policy and procedures and general construction and mechanical practices as related to the installation.

Qualified persons possess the knowledge, skills and ability to understand safety, code, design and building requirements to allow them to install a code compliant system. The Idaho Division of Building Safety does not have the resources and cannot train persons that do not possess the knowledge, skills and ability to understand code, design and building requirements. If you do not understand the requirements that are necessary for a code compliant installation you may consider seeking an outside contractor that is qualified for performing these types of installations or consider additional training.

Read the Homeowner Guidelines document.

Home owners installing renewable energy systems shall be subject to the following permitting procedures.Grid connected renewable energy systems

1. Purchase plan check permit.
   1. In description be sure to enter the type of system you are installing i.e., Solar, hydro, or wind renewable energy system.
2. Follow the Homeowners Guidelines for Renewable Energy and Power Generating Systems Electrical Plans Inspection.
3. The following steps must be completed.
   1. You must have a plans review for a grid tied renewable energy system.
   2. Before the plans receive final approval you must pay the accrued plan review fees and permit fees covering the actual installation of the system. These fees will be added to your plan review permit. Once you receive the final approved and stamped drawings through Project Dox you may perform the renewable energy installation.
   3. Once the installation is complete you may call for field inspections.
   4. You must have the final approved and stamped drawings available at the installation site for the field inspector.
   5. You will not receive any field inspections of your renewable energy system unless the above steps have been followed.

Non-grid connected renewable energy systems

1. Purchase permit for the installation of the renewable energy system.
2. Follow Guidelines for Renewable Energy and Power Generating Systems Electrical Plans Inspection.
3. Once the plan review has been approved you may call for inspections of your renewable energy system. It is important to remember the following.
   1. If you choose to install your system prior to the approval of the submitted plans you may be required to perform costly corrections.
   2. Once you receive the final approved and stamped drawings through Project Dox you may perform the renewable energy installation.
   3. Once the installation is complete you may call for field inspections.
   4. A final inspection of your system will not be performed prior to the approval of the submitted plans.
   5. You must have the final approved and stamped drawings available at the installation site for the field inspector.
   6. You will not receive any field inspections of your renewable energy system unless the above steps have been followed.

Read Homeowners Guidelines for Renewal Energy and Power Generating Systems Electrical Plans Inspection

Visit the eTrackit system.

Email the following information to electrical.plans@dbs.idaho.gov

• Permit Number

Upon receiving the above information, the permit holder will receive an email inviting them to participate in an online plans inspection.

1. More than one contractor or installer – If the installation is being performed by multiple entities i.e. home owner, electrical contractor or limited electrical contractor. Provide the name/s and permit number/s for the Home Owner permit, the Electrical Contractor permit and/or the Limited Electrical Contractor permit.
2. Electrical Site Plan – To verify compliance with the 2017 National Electrical Code; a detailed and legible Electrical Site Plan on a white background shall denote the property, structures on the property affected by the installation of the electrical, renewable energy, power production/generating, and/or energy storage system/s and their associated components to include existing systems and their associated components in relationship to the property and structures as follows:

   (Hand drawn Electrical Site Plans are to be done with indelible black ink.)

   1. Electrical service equipment, panels, sub-panels, optional stand- by panels, and stand-alone panels.
   2. All other components as applicable to the electrical, renewable energy, power production, and/or energy storage system/s.
3. Electrical One-Line Diagram – To verify compliance with the 2017 National Electrical Code; a detailed and legible Electrical One-Line Diagram on a white background shall denote the electrical, renewable energy, power production/generating, and/or energy storage system/s and their associated components as they are to be installed to include existing associated electrical, renewable energy, power production/generating, and/or energy storage system/s as follows:

   (Hand drawn Electrical One-Line Diagrams are to be done with indelible black ink.)
   (Generic, written, incomplete, and/or illegible Electrical One-Line Diagrams are not accepted.)
   (Examples of Electrical One-Line Diagrams for electrical, renewable energy, power production/generating, and/or energy storage system/s can be found on the WEB.)

   1. All of the system/s components needful to verify compliance with the 2017 National Electrical Code; to include electrical service equipment, panels, subpanels, optional stand-by panels, stand-alone panels, combiner panels, disconnecting means, transfer switches, J-Boxes, and over-current protective devices; to include their type, model, listing, and ratings.
   2. All wiring methods including the type, size, listing, and number of conductors and if Free Air and/or the type and size of raceway.
   3. The Grounding Electrode System.
   4. For renewable energy systems their associated arrays and string/s, configuration.
   5. For renewable energy and/or interactive power production/generating systems (Grid Tied) the Point of Connection.
4. Manufacture’s Specification/Cut-Sheets – The manufacture’s specification/cut-Sheets for all components of the electrical, renewable energy, power production/generating, and/or energy storage system/s that are to be installed shall be submitted. To verify compliance with the 2017 National Electrical Code; the documentation shall also denote the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory’s Mark and/or Listed By Note.

   (Installation manuals are not accepted in lieu of the manufacture’s specification/cut-Sheet.)

   Exception: The manufacture’s specification/cut-sheets are not required if the submitted Electrical Site Plan and One-Line Diagram are Stamped and Signed by a State of Idaho licensed Electrical Engineer.

5. Load Calculations – To verify compliance with the 2017 National Electrical Code; the following Load Calculations in accordance with NEC 220 shall be submitted as applicable.
   1. The load calculations in accordance with NEC 710 and 702.4 as applicable for stand-alone and optional standby panels.
   2. When down sizing of the main overcurrent protective device of an electrical panel to allow for a greater Point of Connection ampacity to comply with a Point of Connection in accordance with NEC 705.12 (B) (2) (3) (b).
   3. To verify compliance with NEC 215.2, 215.3, 225.39, 230.42, 230.79, 240.4, 250 408.30, and 408.36.

Read over the Inspections Information page.