HUD Phoenix Energy Workshop September 16-17, 2008

1. Best Practices for Renewable
Energy in a Tribal Community
Arizona Department of Commerce
Energy Office
September , 2008

2. A Renewable Energy System within a rural
Community must contain the following in the
design and application:
Safety, Reliability, Durability, Affordability

8. Building Durability into Renewable Energy
Applications:
‐ A Renewable Energy System must be protected
from; Sun, Rain, Snow, Wind, Hail, Dust, People,
Insects, Animals, Heat. Etc
‐ Provide a Harden Renewable Energy System that
can withstand time, carry reduce maintenance and
done right the first time.
‐ We must consider that a Renewable Energy
Systems it is not a light residential application!

9. Reliability in a Renewable Energy System
Potential Barriers facing reliability: Lack of
Building Codes, Skilled Trade Providers, Inspections
by Utility & Building Officials, A Current Electrical
Distribution Systems

10. National Codes and Standards for Renewable
Energy Sources
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers : “IEEE 1547” – “Standard for
Interconnecting Distributed Resources
with Electric Power Systems”

11. UL Listed & Approved equipment
Local building inspectors look for a listing
mark ( such as UL, ETL or CSA ) to ensure
the equipment as been tested for it’s
application.

13. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) ‐ UL
1741
Provides testing and listing of the
following renewable energy
hardware: Invertors, Convertors,
Controllers and interconnection
equipment for use with distributed
energy resources

14. National Electric Code (NEC)
Published by the National Fire
Protection Association‐ The
foremost U.S. organization that
addresses electrical equipment and
wiring safety.
NEC‐ Article 690‐ “Solar
Photovoltaic Systems”

15. National Electric Code ( NEC) Art.690
The National Electric Code is seen as the
minimum safety requirements‐ Current
NEC editions are 2005, 2008

16. National Electric Code 2005, 2008
Once again provides the NEC
provides the minimum electrical
safety requirements and is not a
design guide.

17. Solar PV and Solar Thermal Combination
Arizona Registrar of Contractors has an
estimated 15 various license classification
for Solar installations

18. Arizona Contractor Licenses for Solar
Applications
A‐19 Swimming Pools, Includes Solar
C‐05 Residential Specialty‐ Solar
L‐05 Commercial Specialty‐ Solar
K‐05 Combination Specialty‐ Solar
C‐11 Electrical Residential‐ Solar
L‐11 Electrical Commercial‐ Solar
K‐11 Combination Residential/Commercial Electrical
C‐37 Plumbing includes Solar‐Residential
C‐39 HVAC includes Solar‐ Residential
L‐74‐ Boilers includes Solar Commercial
L‐77‐ Plumbing includes Solar Commercial
L‐78‐ Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Commercial
L‐79‐ HVAC includes Solar Commercial

19. Net Metering
Net Metering is a low‐cost and easily
administered means of promoting direct
customer investment in renewable energy

20. The Interconnection Agreement
Standards that specify the technical ,
terms and policy requirements that the
utilities and DG system owners must
operate under.

21. Solar Thermal and Solar PV
Combined
Becoming a very common
installation

22. Seek to establish safety first!
Is the current Electrical System safe
or should it be replaced for safety
reasons?

24. Apache Junction, Arizona
September 13, 2008
On Saturday, September 13, during a Habitat for Humanity
groundbreaking at Ironwood Trails in Apache Junction,
Habitat announced that because of the example set forth
by the City of Apache Junction, they would be making each
home LEED certified. They are too late in making the
“community” LEED certified but they can still individually
certify each home given that they build each home Energy
Star and of course due to the SRP donated Solar Panels.
This is a wonderful achievement for Habitat and the
community of Apache Junction.

25. Changing the Way we build
Homes in a Rural Community
‐ Solar Ready Home: Solar PV & Thermal, Roof designed to carry the
additional load, Roof penetrations, Pipe and Conduit services in place
‐Passive Solar Features designed into the home positioning; Shading,
Window Types & Locations, True South, Air Flow
‐ Stick Built vs. SIP, ICF‐ A House in a box, Mold Issues
‐ Controlled Ventilation vs. Passive Ventilation
‐ Forced Air (Heating/Cooling) vs. Radiant (Heating/Cooling)
‐ A Renewable Energy Home along with a Net‐Zero Design for placement in
rural communities
‐100 amp Electrical Service Limitations on all homes with energy efficiency
lighting, appliacances
‐Maintenance Free or DIY maintenance strategies on lighting and
appliances, Home Owner Manuel, Long‐term Energy Source