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DOE: Solar Ready Repairs - Scope and Limitations

Overview of Solar Ready Repair requirements and limitations in Puerto Rico

Brian - PLR Product Ops avatar
Written by Brian - PLR Product Ops
Updated over a week ago

Solar Ready Repair Documentation:

  • The Solar Access Program requires clear documentation of the conditions that triggered a Solar Ready Repair with photographs of before and after, along with a description of corrections made.

  • Detailed and separate invoicing for solar ready repairs is required. Recipients should demonstrate what work is needed and what work was completed. The invoice total may exceed the $3000 cap, however please note that the difference will not be reimbursed.

Solar-Ready Repairs (SRRs) may not exceed $3,000:

  1. Must DQ: Projects that have must-perform SRRs more than $3,000 must be disqualified or the SRRs must be paid for by the beneficiary or EPC.

  2. Document DQ: If must-perform SRRs exceed $3,000 and the project will be DQ’d because the Beneficiary declines to perform the repairs, the EPC needs to provide a description of the SRRs that would be required and a non-binding ballpark estimate of costs.

    1. Any SRR DQs shall be tracked using the Request to Disqualify (DQ) Project ("Will not Proceed") form, providing notification to Generac, Palmetto, and the DOE

Changes of order relating to Solar-Ready Repairs (SRRs)

  • The SRR amount may be included as part of quote generation, but will not populate to the contract

  • If the SRR amount changes after contract is signed, a new contract is not needed

  • The SRR amount input during M1 Install package submission should be our source of truth and accurate to the current state of the install

Solar Ready Repairs to the Electrical System: Generac, Palmetto, and the EPCs will apply the following working definitions to determine if an issue observed is a “must-perform,” “may perform,” or a “may-not perform” SRR. It is expected that these definitions will not encompass every situation and nuance likely to be encountered. Where there is ambiguity, Palmetto and Generac should confer (e.g. in the shared Slack channel). These working definitions may be updated from time to time based on stakeholder feedback and direction from DOE.

*** Updates and modifications to the issues within the working definitions will be communicated via the this help center with notification of updates sent to the EPC via the Installer Update Newsletters. ***

Must-perform Solar Ready Repair:

  1. These SRRs must be performed in order for the project to proceed. If not performed, the project must be DQd and the issues must be disclosed to the homeowner.

  2. For the solar or storage: Any improvements required to achieve a compliant installation of the solar or storage equipment.

  3. In the Circuit Path: Any existing non-compliant wiring in the circuit path or enclosures between the Generac inverter and the utility service.

  4. Increased Safety Risks: Any existing non-compliant wiring on the load side of the circuit path between the Generac inverter and the utility service where the addition of the solar + storage equipment increases the safety risk profile to the homeowner or for service personnel or where the issue creates an unacceptable performance risk for the newly installed equipment.

  5. Signs of significant damage anywhere in the system will need to be corrected if it poses a risk to the beneficiary by remaining, these items would contribute to the overall scope of work and budget for Solar Ready Repairs.

    1. Signs or arcing, thermal damage, leaks inside receptacles.

May-perform Solar Ready Repair:

  1. These SRRs may be performed as otherwise allowed within the program guidelines and deployment plan, but if not performed, the project may proceed

  2. Same or Reduced Safety Risks: Any existing non-compliant wiring on the load side of the circuit path between the Generac inverter and the utility service where the addition of the solar + storage equipment DOES NOT increase the safety risk profile to the homeowner or for service personnel and where the issue does not create an unacceptable performance risk for the newly installed equipment

  3. Fabrication of mounting surface for equipment (stand or wall), as well as roof conditioning.

May-not perform as Solar Ready Repair:

  1. Not part of the electrical system: Any existing non-compliant wiring that is not a part of the electrical distribution system that the system will be connected to.

  2. Convenience Upgrades: Changes to the electrical system or other improvements that do not address safety or compliance concerns.

Disclosure of Non-Compliance and Safety Issues to Beneficiaries

  1. EPCs need to disclose to the homeowner if issues are present on site and are either:

    1. Must-perform SRRs more than $3,000 resulting in a DQ

    2. May-perform or may not perform SRRs that will not be addressed by the EPC, whether or not the project results in a DQ

  2. The disclosure to the homeowner should identify the nature of the issues observed and recommend to the homeowner that they hire a qualified and licensed trade professional to address the issue.

  3. Electrical Safety issues at the home should be addressed as part of the installation or communicated to the homeowner with clear corrective actions.

  4. It is the responsibility of the EPC to ensure the safety of the home system during and after the installation of the solar system.

Installer SOP for Disqualification after Solar Ready Repairs have Begun

  1. If repairs were completed and we discover we must disqualify the project, EPC will need to verify the site is left in a safe state that is functionally the same or better than prior to the start of construction. Site survey photos and as built photos should be reviewed to verify the final condition is acceptable. Additional repairs should be performed if necessary to ensure the final condition is acceptable.

  2. If repairs are in progress and we discover we must disqualify the project after starting but prior to completion of SRR, EPC should complete the repairs and ensure the site is left in a safe state that is functionally the same or better than prior to the start of construction.

The Areas Highlighted in RED show the general items and areas that would be In the Circuit Path and every possible effort should be made to bring them up to code using the SRR funds. Areas in GREEN qualify as "outside circuit path" and form part of the "may perform" scope of repairs.

NOTE - Within the CIRCUIT PATH definition extends to the METER MAIN BREAKER ITSELF and wiring, but generally does not include the LUMA connection point or the LUMA owned receptacle unless corroded beyond repair. ALL Main enclosures require a properly sized Dead Front. If there are any questions about this item please contact a Palmetto Quality Technician.

EXCEPTION to WITHIN CIRCUIT definition of scope would be any SAFETY issues identified ANYWHERE in the system

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Common Items to include in Solar Ready Repairs if Within the CIRCUIT PATH:

  1. Remove any non compliant internal components replacing with common solutions, preserving the existing enclosure

    1. Zinsco, Stablock, Fused Pull Disconnects, surge protectors, etc.

  2. Correct / Update any wiring issues identified

    1. Double Lugged Wires, Incorrect Wire type/color, Neutral or Bonding Issues, missing bushings, etc.

    2. Adding a ground conductor from the service disconnect to the new Generac ATS

  3. When relocating circuits into new panels, those circuits are required to meet NEC Code to the nearest receptacle

    1. Proper wire schedule, breaker rating, grounding requirements

  4. Address any safety issues stemming from Exposed Energized Conductors with

    1. Poorly fitted or missing Dead Fronts

    2. Ecessive exposed copper at main breaker terminals

Example A

-Double Lugs – 2 or more conductors terminated in the same terminal
-Equipment Replacement UPSTREAM of Generac ATS- Non Palmetto approved equipment (Stablok, Sylvania, Zinsco, Federal Pacific Equipment) Disqualified Main breaker types (Must Perform)

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Example B

Basic NEC Code Violations - Conductors are not adhering to code standards (all are green) (Must Perform if Within the CIRCUIT PATH)

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Example C

Equipment Replacement DOWNSTREAM of interconnection - Non Palmetto approved equipment (Stablok, Sylvania, Zinsco, Federal Pacific Equipment) (Generally May Perform)

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Example D

Example Equipment Relocation - Improper Equipment location and access (Must Perform unless Variance is provided by LUMA)

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Example E

Example Equipment Replacement - Signs of damage or performance issues to existing panel and multiple required corrections. (Must Perform if within the CIRCUIT PATH or it is deemed a Safety Risk)

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Example F

Example Meter Main Height - Breaker height above 6’7” (Must Perform) ALL METER MAIN Breakers that are not 100% NEC Code Compliant Require a dedicated Site Disconnecting means for the whole home, a Service Rated Automatic Transfer Switch, KnifeHandle Disconnect Switch, or Breaker in a Main Distribution Panel are appropriate options.

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Example G

Example Improper Dead Front - Missing or incorrect (Must Perform)

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Example H

Example 120V Service - Equipment requires 240V From the Utility (Must Perform or DQ)

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