Escondido Resident goes Solar

Heritage Solar recently installed a 14 kW (STC) solar array for a customer in Escondido.  The system included 72 Sanyo HIP-195BA19 modules and 4 Xantrex GT3.3N-NA-240/208 (240) Inverters.  As this system required (4) 20 Amp Solar Breakers on a 200 Amp Zinsco Service, it was not possible to simply install the breakers in the service.  Two options were available.  Either upgrade the service to 400 amps or install a new meter socket and excercise the tap rule authorized by the National Electrical Code.  The second option was choosen and SDGE was notified of the meter socket change.  In years past, SDGE specified direct burial cable.  If the home is rewired, which includes a service upgrade or a meter socket changeout, the direct burial cable must be abandoned and new conduit must be installed to the pull box or transformer.  For a 200 amp meter socket, the trench must be 6″ wide and contain 2″ conduit.  A 400 amp service requires a 12″ wide trench with 3″ conduit.  The trench must have 24″ of cover so it is best to make the trench at least 30″ deep.

On this particular job, the driveway was cut, trenched, inspected, filled in and repaved, the meter socket was upgraded and a great deal of wiring was brought up to code.  This roof consisted of Eagle Light flat concrete tile which is a particularly difficult tile to work with as it is so fragile.  Many tiles were replaced by the installation crew, some of which were previously damaged.

The difficulty rating on this project would be considered a 9.0 due to the fact that the electrical upgrade was very challenging.

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