Man requests city ordinance for installation of solar panels

By Domenick Moore (Staff Writer domenick_m@newsitem.com)
Published: March 9, 2010

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SHAMOKIN - A lifelong city resident urged council to consider an ordinance on the installation of solar panels on homes and commercial businesses.

Gerald Bogetti stopped by Monday's council meeting to ask its members to pass an ordinance regulating the installation of solar panels, or photovoltaic systems, within city limits. The panels, Bogetti said, can pose a risk to firefighters if improperly installed and if fire personnel aren't properly trained.

Bogetti, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), used Santa Monica, Calif., as an example. Many fire companies have adopted a "let it burn" policy in this coastal town, where solar panels have proliferated, according to Bogetti.

Instead of risking injury by wading into a burning building that might have photovoltaic circuits, firefighters instead will simply contain the fire to the structure, allowing it to burn itself out.

The problem originates from improperly installed units, and untrained fire crews. When firefighters pull the meter on a property with a secondary power-generating system like a photovoltaic array, primary power is removed from the home, but there's no guarantee that the critical loop of the solar panels has been shut down. Putting a foot or a ventilation saw into a solar array while the power's still on can deliver as much as 600 volts direct current, according to literature provided by Bogetti.

Also, if the system has a battery back up or an auto-start gasoline generator, there's the added danger of explosion from the fuel, or chemical burns from battery acid.

That's why Bogetti's proposed ordinance, cribbed from a Santa Monica ordinance, would strengthen the one already in place by the state.

"We waited for the state to pass its ordinance so we could add to it," Bogetti said.

Not only would a home or business owner have to have an electrician install the solar array, as per the state ordinance, Bogetti's proposal goes so far as to mandate that the electrician must be state or IBEW certified to work on photovoltaics. And it also provides for proper training of fire personnel by the IBEW so they can properly identify such systems and know how to properly shut them down.

"We don't want to see a single firefighter get hurt," Bogetti said. Bogetti noted that he had full support from his bosses at the IBEW.

"We can prevent," any problems from poorly installed solar arrays, Bogetti said.

In other news, council approved the American Legion Auxiliary's poppy sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 8 in downtown Shamokin.

Also, the city clerk will be advertising for a part-time office clerk at city hall. The position will work from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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1 posted comments

Well, If the fire department is going to have a 'let it burn' stand on the issue of PV cells, then why should individuals (who are tryng to save money in the first place) have to hire someone 'certified' to hook up a relatively simple DYI project for their home?
I propose that the individuals should be allowed to put these systems up at their own risk.
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DYI advocate , Tom,  03/09/10 10:23