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Stylized Text: Design Review Process.

The system design review and approval process is open to any system integrator, manufacturer, supplier or installation contractor with a PV system design that will be marketed as a standard packaged design. To initiate the design review process, complete the application form and submit all required documentation and materials to FSEC. A single application may be used for similar systems that use the same module, same number of modules per array string, and same inverter as long as each system model is indicated on the application.

PV System Design Certification Process

PV System Design Certification Application

All PV system certifications require the Applicant to complete and submit the FSEC System Design Certification Application Form (FSEC Form PVSD-001), along with payment of the required system certification application fee. Upon receipt of all required system design application information and fees from the Applicant, FSEC shall perform the initial system design review within twenty working days. The application fee is non-refundable.

If the application package is complete and the design is approved, the system shall be certified, provided with a unique FSEC PV System Certification Identifier, and posted on the FSEC list of certified PV systems on the FSEC web site . Additionally, a master copy of the System Certification Approval Form (see below) shall be promulgated by FSEC and provided to the Applicant.

The PV Certification Application Form (FSEC Form PVSD-001) may be downloaded from FSEC'S web site at PVSD Form.

System Design Certification by Licensed Professional Engineers

The FSEC system design review and certification process may be expedited if a licensed Florida Professional Engineer seals the PV system design. The application form submitted to FSEC shall include sealed three-line electrical drawings and a complete parts list. The system design application fee will be reduced to 40 percent for this case and the system certification will be completed within ten working days. PV module power rating certification is still required.

System Certification Approval Form

As part of the PV system certification process, FSEC will generate a System Certification Approval Form (FSEC Form PVSD-002). The System Certification Approval Form will include:

  • FSEC certification identifiers for both the PV modules and PV system design
  • A summary of the system design
  • A complete three-line electrical schematic
  • A parts list of the included system components

A master copy of the System Certification Approval Form will be provided by FSEC to the Applicant to document the system design certification. The Applicant will distribute copies of this form to licensed installers of the certified system.

The System Certification Approval Form includes a section to be filled out by the licensed system installer as follows:

  • The installer's full business address and phone number
  • The installer's Contractor License Number
  • The installer's signature

Completed copies of the System Certification Approval Form shall be signed by the licensed system installer. The licensed system installer may use the Approval Form to obtain local building permits, to assist the local building official in the inspection process, and to verify certification to the purchaser of the PV system.

Criteria for System Approvals

Criteria for system approvals are based on applicable codes and standards, and consistency with industry accepted design practices. General criteria include:

  • Conformance of the overall electrical design and specified installation methods with all relevant sections of the most recent version of the National Electrical Code.
  • PV modules must comply with the most recent version of UL Std. 1703 for Flat Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels.
  • Inverters and charge control must comply with the most recent version of UL Std.1741 for inverters, converters and controllers for use in independent power systems.
  • Ratings for PV module performance based upon tests performed by FSEC or by another recognized laboratory, or certified by FSEC at the minimum power output required by UL 1703.
  • Conformance of the system design and installation requirements with
    • IEEE 929 - Recommended Practice for Utility Interface of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
    • IEEE 1374 - Guide for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Power System Safety.
  • Where battery storage is used, conformance with (as applicable)
    • IEEE 937 - Recommended Practice for Installation and Maintenance of Lead-Acid Batteries for Photovoltaic (PV) Systems.
    • IEEE 1145 - IEEE Recommended Practice for the Installation and Maintenance of Nickel-Cadmium Batteries for Photovoltaic (PV) Systems.

It is preferred, but not required at this time, that all PV modules undergo qualification testing in accordance with the following international standards. Either IEC 61215 Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules undergo Design Qualification and Type Approval or IEC 61646 Thin-Film Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules -- Design Qualification and Type Approval.

Sufficient system documentation is required for system design review and approval. The following items are required:

System Documentation Review

Sufficient system documentation is required for system design review and approval. The following items are required:

  • A complete three-line electrical schematic (may include several separate drawings as long as their relationships are clearly indicated)
  • A complete parts and source lists for all system components and hardware
  • Product specification sheets for all major components (modules, inverters, charge controllers, batteries, auxiliary generators)

Electrical Design Evaluation

Safe, code-compliant electrical designs are the principal concern of these approvals. Designs must be consistent with the requirements of the most recent version of the National Electrical Code. Complete three-wire electrical schematics are required and must include the types, sizes, ratings and locations of all conductors, overcurrent and disconnect devices, terminations and connectors, conduit and junction boxes, and grounding systems. Complete electrical schematics are required for these items. Electrical schematics will be clearly reviewed to verify the following:

  • Types, sizes and locations of all system conductors
  • Types, ratings and locations for all required system disconnect and overcurrent devices
  • Ratings and locations for blocking and bypass diodes, as applicable
  • Requirements for equipment and system grounding and surge suppression
  • Location and equipment required to interface the PV system output with the electric utility grid
  • Types, ratings and locations of all conduit and junction boxes
  • Estimated DC voltage drops and conductor types and sizes required for various lengths

Power Conditioning Equipment

A complete system documentation package is a fundamental requirement for system approvals. At a minimum, this documentation must include system specifications, parts lists, electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and instructions for the installation, operation and maintenance of the system. The supplied documentation is reviewed to verify that the following items are included:

  • System description and specifications
  • Parts and source lists for equipment supplied and not supplied with package
  • Electrical diagrams and schematics
  • Mechanical drawings and panel/array installation detail
  • System installation and checkout procedures
  • System operation, maintenance and troubleshooting instructions
  • Owners manuals for individual major components
  • Warranty information on components and complete system

Electrical Design Evaluation

Safe, code-compliant electrical designs are the principal concern of these approvals. Designs must be consistent with the requirements of the 2002 National Electrical Code. At a minimum, supplier's electrical drawings must include the types, sizes, ratings and locations of all conductors, overcurrent and disconnect devices, terminations and connectors, conduit and junction boxes, and grounding systems. Complete electrical schematics are required for these items. Design documentation, installation instructions and electrical schematics are reviewed to verify that they specify and diagram:

  • Types, sizes and locations of all system conductors
  • Types, ratings and locations for all required system disconnect and overcurrent devices
  • Ratings and locations for blocking and bypass diodes, as applicable
  • Requirements for equipment and system grounding and surge suppression
  • Methods and equipment required to interface the PV system output with the electric utility grid
  • Types, ratings and locations for all conduit and junction boxes
  • DC voltage drop limitations and conductors required for given length

Power Conditioning Equipment

Inverters, chargers, controllers and other power processing hardware are critical components in these approvals, and this equipment must meet industry standards for grid-connected PV systems. Acceptable voltage set points, and other system programming or control set points must also be consistent for the type of batteries used, as applicable. The system documentation and equipment specifications are reviewed for:

  • Compliance with current standards UL 1741 and IEEE 929
  • Specification and appropriateness of inverter/controller operating windows for PV array under highest and lowest temperature extremes
  • Specification and appropriateness of control or programmable set points for charge control with the specified battery subsystem (set points to include array disconnect and reconnect voltages, and load disconnect and reconnect voltages)

Denial of Approval

If FSEC determines that the applicant does not satisfy all the criteria as outlined in this document, FSEC shall give the applicant a written report detailing all reasons for denying approval using the Design Review Checklist and Reporting Form. An applicant aggrieved by the FSEC decision may file a written request for review with FSEC. The FSEC Director shall appoint a Laboratory Complaint Review Board, which will reconsider the information on file. FSEC shall, based on the Review Board's findings, affirm, modify or reverse the initial decision and shall so inform the applicant of the review board's recommendations.

Revocation of Approval

Supplier-initiated

The party who has been issued an approval for a photovoltaic system may voluntarily terminate the approval by giving written notice to FSEC. The notice shall state the effective termination date and the reasons for termination.

FSEC-initiated

FSEC may revoke or suspend an approval for a grid-connected PV system package in the event of:

  • Any intentional misrepresentation of documentation in the application for design review and approval
  • Claiming that one PV system approval applies to another system which has not been approved
  • Failure to comply with a condition of approval or product labeling
  • Failure to correct a discrepancy that is detected by FSEC after initial FSEC approval. Supplier will be given 30 days in which to make corrections.
The procedure for revoking certification shall conform to the process for denial of certification specified above.