Service & Main Panel Upgrade Code Requirement - Unreasonable!!!!

[foo1bar]

Yes, the service upgrade would require new longer underground wiring since the new upgraded main panel would have to be re-located further away from the transformer by 15-20 ft.

OK - but that doesn't answer the question I asked.
Is the POCO going to run the wires (and conduit) for the new service?
And can YOU (well, your contractor) do the conduit and wires?
(It *may* be cheaper for you to hire someone to move the dirt, and an electrician to do the conduit and wires)
Electricians usually don't like to shovel dirt, so they often charge more for it than you'd pay hiring someone yourself.

This IS a chance for you to upgrade your service and get a 30% break on it's cost.
If I had a choice between a house with 100A service and one with 200A service, I'd take the 200A service assuming other things were equal.
(I had 125A and I upgraded to 200A - I no longer notice lights dimming when the AC kicks in.)

So I am stuck with a 100 amp solar system which won't offset my usage that much

You mean a system with a 20A breaker. (3.8kW)

A solar system that weak won't be worth it or cost effective?

Depends on how much it costs and how much you use.
If it's $3/W or less, probably still cost effective.
(probably MORE cost effective than something that'd be near 100% kwh replacement)
It's also quite possible you could do 4.5kW or more of DC panels with only 3.8kW inverter and get over 90%+ of the production as if you had an inverter that could handle the full peak.

waste my one time 30% credit allowance?

If you mean the fed credit, it isn't "one time"

Read IRS form 5695 instructions to confirm for yourself.

As Sunnyguy suggested another questionable option would be to close/wall off the closet thus making the bed room into a non bedroom?

I'd start with "Where do you want me to put the meter? I see from your rules it's not supposed to go inside a fence. It's currently on my home office's exterior wall, why can't it stay there?"
(And don't have a bed clearly visible through the window next to the meter)

If I'm reading the code right myself and thousands of others with main panels mounted on bedroom walls are already illegal which is ridiculous!

It is not code.
It's a rule from your POCO.

[Zero_Balance]

The current service is provided via an "underground burial cable" which was a common method during the 90s. It's not a conduit system hence why the underground boring is required to upgrade and extend the service. At least this is what I am being told at this time.

The installer listed the room as "bedroom" on the plans already submitted to the POCO. We would have to resubmit and tell them its a home office after I close off the closet.

Closing off the closet would be alot quicker and cheaper than having to relocate the main panel. I could do this myself.

I am awaiting a visit from the electrician for his inspection. There is also another homeowner in town with the same dilemma. The installer's regional manager stated the "rule" is being enforced recently throughout Southern and now central CA.

[foo1bar]

The current service is provided via an "underground burial cable" which was a common method during the 90s. It's not a conduit system hence why the underground boring is required to upgrade and extend the service. At least this is what I am being told at this time.

Even if it was using a conduit you'd very likely need to install a new, larger conduit.
Again you haven't answered the question:
Is the POCO going to run the wires (and conduit) for the new service?
And can YOU (well, your contractor) do the conduit and wires?
(Or if they don't generally do conduit, then the underground cable)

The installer listed the room as "bedroom" on the plans already submitted to the POCO. We would have to resubmit and tell them its a home office after I close off the closet.

If it's a sliding door reach-in closet, I'd just remove the doors, closet rod, shelf, patch and paint and set a desk in that spot.

Is the fence on the plans submitted to the POCO?

I am awaiting a visit from the electrician for his inspection. There is also another homeowner in town with the same dilemma. The installer's regional manager stated the "rule" is being enforced recently throughout Southern and now central CA.

You may be better off talking to a local electrician about doing the panel upgrade. Someone who is on good terms with the local poco office and knows what he's doing may be better able to get things done quickly and cheaply.

[Zero_Balance]

Foo1bar,

My apologies, thank you for your advice.

Yes, the POCO would be doing the service & underground work, not the contractor.

I'm not sure if the fence was submitted.

The closet is small with sliding doors, very easy to close off or remove the doors.

Another option would be to relocate the existing main panel/meter off the wall to (2) 4x4 posts planted next to its old location. Convert the old main panel to a sub panel and connect the cabling/wiring thru conduit to the new panel which would only be a few inches away but off the bedroom wall. I will contact the county inspector regarding this option, I know the meter does not have to be mounted on the residence.

Thanks!

[foo1bar]

Yes, the POCO would be doing the service & underground work, not the contractor.

Do you have any choice in that matter?
Or is PG&E requiring that only they can do the work?
(I would ask PG&E directly, not rely on 2nd hand or 3rd hand information)
And if they say they're the only ones who can do the work, I'd check with the PUC on whether that's true.
Obviously some things like doing the actual connections it's reasonable that they do the work. For digging and installing cable I can't see why they'd have to be exclusive. If they do it for free, sure they can be exclusive - but if they're charging me why shouldn't I be able to have a qualified 3rd party do it?

Another option would be to relocate the existing main panel/meter off the wall to (2) 4x4 posts planted next to its old location. Convert the old main panel to a sub panel and connect the cabling/wiring thru conduit to the new panel which would only be a few inches away but off the bedroom wall. I will contact the county inspector regarding this option, I know the meter does not have to be mounted on the residence.

If it were me, I'd try to avoid that. Mostly for aesthetic reasons.
But if that's the way you go, I would use metal posts, not wood.


Obviously I'd be looking first at trying to keep it in place where it is now.
And I would be considering whether I wanted to upgrade to 200A service anyhow.

[ButchDeal]

Foo1bar,

My apologies, thank you for your advice.

Yes, the POCO would be doing the service & underground work, not the contractor.

Have you checked with the POCO if they will accept an RMA ?

https://www.sdge.com/sites/default/files/documents/918553898/RMA%20Clearance%20Guide%202-24-16.pdf?nid=15591

[Zero_Balance]

I was incorrect on the service upgrade, the trench and boring can be done by a third party. Will have an estimate done by both POCO and the sub for conduit and service upgrade to 200/225.

The transformer is directly across the street.

Installer stated on the current 100 amp we can only go with 16 panels rated at 285 for about a 4.5kW usage.

I agree on metal posts instead of 4x4s. Pour a small slab and mount the meter box on galvanized pipe next to the wall & foundation.

The POCO upper mgrs were very adamant no meter on the wall. My installer was frustrated. The POCO even told him they would shut the power down if they received any indication someone was sleeping in the room if the new meter panel is was not relocated.

Damn dictatorship!

[Zero_Balance]

Have you checked with the POCO if they will accept an RMA ?

https://www.sdge.com/sites/default/files/documents/918553898/RMA%20Clearance%20Guide%202-24-16.pdf?nid=15591

Funny you listed that, I was told the POCO used to accept collars but they won't any longer.

[Mike90250]

.... I know the meter does not have to be mounted on the residence....

But i think it has to be mounted to a permitted building, not some post. That's called a temporary power pole.

[foo1bar]

But i think it has to be mounted to a permitted building, not some post. That's called a temporary power pole.

I know a LOT of farms where the meter is mounted on a post - usually the post has a light at the top for the yard and is a very permanent fixture.

But I also doubt that PG&E will be happy with a meter pedestal.
And I think the idea is just fugly for a typical suburban home.
I'm hoping that he's just blowing off steam with the idea of doing a pedestal meter.