DIY Install in Utah?

[GoingSolar]

Good afternoon all!

I'm looking into doing small (initially) solar install and I am wondering about DIY installs in Utah. It looks to me like Utah isn't DIY friendly and won't give you any incentives unless you pay someone else to do the install. Is that correct?

I have no problem supplying drawings and specs for the permit with the city but will the building inspector only care that the wiring etc is correctly installed according to code or will they also want to know 'who' wired it including license info?

I know that at least where I am a home owner can do their own electrical work as long as they are the owner and it is up to code. I am not sure if this would apply to the city inspecting a solar power system and getting set up with Net Metering with Rocky Mountain Power.

Any advice? Has anyone here done a DIY install completely on your own here in Utah?

Thanks!

[jorgey]

I'm in the same boat and wanting to do a DYI install in Utah as well. I have the building permit form from the city, but have to check on weather or not I have to list the licensed electrician on it from the start or if it can be done later. It's a generic building permit for everything and there is very little on there that technically applies to what I want do do, but was given the form and they want $150 to review it.

I too was under the impression that self installs did not qualify for the State tax credit, but with it only being $2000 that is not a show stopper for me as I'm more interested in the 30% Fed credit. Don't get me wrong, I want the $2000 from the state as well, but having a difficult time finding the actual requirements in order to qualify for it.

[inetdog]

The answer about what the AHJ (and inspector) will require will vary from location to location, even within the state. So you need to either find someone local who has done it or just informally talk to the building department (and preferably the actual inspector) to find out.
If a permit is required, different jurisdictions have different rules about whether a homeowner can pull the permit on his own or a licensed electrician or contractor can do it.

In many locations where the homeowner can pull the permit, he has to essentially certify that he will not be hiring anyone to do any part of the work (except maybe the design).

Also keep in mind that over and above the city permit requirements, the utility (POCO) may have its own requirements before they will sign off on the interconnection.

[foo1bar]

In many locations where the homeowner can pull the permit, he has to essentially certify that he will not be hiring anyone to do any part of the work (except maybe the design).

The document I had to sign was basically acknowledging that IF I hired someone, I knew I was responsible for them (workmans comp, etc.).
And that if I hired someone that's not a licensed contractor I would pay by the hour not by the job.
(Essentially "Don't let some non-licensed guy dupe you into getting a permit for him")

[solarix]

Usually, even though the AHJ may not require a licensed electrician, the power company may well require one. (They are not trying to make this easy for you). They should have a well established policy you can check on though.

[foo1bar]

the power company may well require (a licensed electrician)

Possible - and worth checking with the POCO and the AHJ.

But it's not what I've seen locally (with either my POCO or the large neighboring one ~1 mile away)

[20120041625]

The above posters are essentially correct BUT there are loophole especially if you're indeed setting up a small project, I'm assuming a guest house? What I'd advise is searching for a local installer that will oversee the project and "sign off" the documentation to bypass your states restrictions and that will save you labor costs.


Merely out of curiously what brand and details of the set-up you had in mind?

[jorgey]

Merely out of curiously what brand and details of the set-up you had in mind?

I'm not looking at doing anything huge. I would like to do a 10kw, ground mount, SolarEdge system consisting of 40 - 260 watt panels, 40 SolarEdge DC optimizers, and 1 SolarEdge SE10000A-US-U Inverter.

I already know from talking to my local building inspector that I will need to have the final hookup into my electrical panel done by a licensed electrician. After talking with the local power company, it sounds like after the city inspector signs off on it, they will send their own inspector to verify before allowing the system to be turned on and the net meter being installed.

[inetdog]

I'm not looking at doing anything huge. I would like to do a 10kw, ground mount, SolarEdge system consisting of 40 - 260 watt panels, 40 SolarEdge DC optimizers, and 1 SolarEdge SE10000A-US-U Inverter.

Many would consider that huge for a residential system!
Have you verified that the size of the installation (power production per day) is within your POCO guidelines based on your current energy consumption?

[jorgey]

Many would consider that huge for a residential system!
Have you verified that the size of the installation (power production per day) is within your POCO guidelines based on your current energy consumption?

My average use for the last year runs at 1,320 KwH/per month with a peak usage of 2,550 KwH for one month (August). (It's that way every August.) Again, kinda new at this so I could be wrong, but from all of the calculations that I have been able to come up with, a system that is sized for for my location would to be between 9 and 10kw to accommodate 100% offset for a grid tie. Likely will over produce a little, but should not be much. What do you think, am I way off here?

[inetdog]

My average use for the last year runs at 1,320 KwH/per month with a peak usage of 2,550 KwH for one month (August). (It's that way every August.) Again, kinda new at this so I could be wrong, but from all of the calculations that I have been able to come up with, a system that is sized for for my location would to be between 9 and 10kw to accommodate 100% offset for a grid tie. Likely will over produce a little, but should not be much. What do you think, am I way off here?

No, you are not way off in your system design, just on the high side of consumption. Your rate of return will generally be higher from reducing your power usage than for offsetting it with a grid tie system. At least look at the low hanging fruit conservation options.

[jorgey]

No, you are not way off in your system design, just on the high side of consumption. Your rate of return will generally be higher from reducing your power usage than for offsetting it with a grid tie system. At least look at the low hanging fruit conservation options.

That is with conserving as much as I can.

Whole house has LED bulbs, motion sensor lights, timers, foam insulation, $5,000 in new "efficient" blinds (think it was a waste of $5,000), etc. I have a few issues though. Living in the desert does not help my summer usage, trying to keep the place tolerable in late afternoon in mid-summer is pretty much impossible. Plus do to some work I do, I have a few computers and a couple of servers that have to run 24x7.