NABCEP PVSI case studies

NABCEP PVSI · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The NABCEP Photovoltaic System Inspector (PVSI) certification is a credential for people who inspect solar photovoltaic installations on behalf of Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), utilities, incentive programs, investors, and other parties doing quality assurance or code-compliance review. NABCEP introduced the PVSI and its companion Solar Heating System Inspector (SHSI) credential in a May 30, 2017 announcement, describing inspectors as playing a critical role in ensuring quality renewable energy installations. The NABCEP PVSI case studies are 5 cases and about 4,306 words.

Rapid Shutdown That Passes Only While the Grid Is Present

A 12.4 kW residential PV system uses 32 modules with module-level power electronics feeding a string inverter on the garage wall. The house also has a 10 kWh AC-coupled battery and a backed-up loads panel.

863 words, about 4 min 2

120% Rule Math on a 200 A Meter-Main

A residential permit application proposes an 11.4 kW string inverter on a dwelling with a 200 A meter-main combination panel. The panel label reads: busbar 200 A, main breaker 200 A, no feed-through lugs.

770 words, about 4 min 3

Plan Review: Structural Letter, Ridge Setback Amendment, and a Module Substitution

A plan set is submitted for an 11.2 kW flush-mounted array on a 1995 two-story dwelling with a 4:12 gable roof, asphalt shingles, and rafters at 24 in. The roof plan shows an array footprint of 620 sq ft and places the upper array edge 18 in.

809 words, about 4 min 4

Isolated Ground Rod at a Detached-Garage Array

A 9.6 kW array is mounted on the roof of a detached garage about 90 ft from the house. The garage is fed from the house by a 60 A feeder with a 6 AWG equipment grounding conductor.

922 words, about 5 min 5

Module Replacement: Connector Mating and Cold-Weather String Voltage

A 7.68 kW array has 24 modules in two strings of 12, each string landing on its own inverter input through a combiner with 15 A fuses. The inverter nameplate gives a maximum DC input voltage of 600 V, an MPPT window of 175-480 V, a maximum input current of 15 A per input, and a maximum Isc of 18 A.

942 words, about 5 min