Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and National Electric Code Training: A Training Course for Installers, Electricians, Inspectors & Officials, Installers and Designers, taught by John Wiles

• August 12 (Salt Lake City)
• August 14 (St. George)

Registration deadline is July 28, 2008 (see details below)

Download Registration Form here (Word doc); (PDF)  

Continuing Education Credits Available

Photo credits (left to right): LaPorte Group, Sara Baldwin, Greg Libecci

The Course: This one-day, 8-hour session will cover the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for designing and installing PV systems. A basic knowledge of the NEC is required as Code basics will not be addressed. Two hours will be devoted to reviewing PV systems with the remaining time devoted to PV and the NEC, specifically:

• Conductors, types and sizing

• Overcurrent and disconnect devices, types and ratings

• Grounding, terminology and applications

• Battery Systems (only brief coverage), cautions, multiwire branch circuits

• Utility-Interactive Systems, point of connection issues

• 2008 NEC changes for PV Systems

This course will show proper installation and avoidance of common errors in installation, with a focus on utility-interactive systems. Electricians, electrical inspectors and PV installers or strongly encouraged to attend. Eight hours of Continuing Education Credits are available for IAEI CEU, and 6 for NABCEP. The course attendee is responsible for providing the necessary information upon registration to receive credit.

About John Wiles: John is a leading expert on the National Electric Code (NEC) and PV installations. He is working under a contract with the US Department of Energy to assist the PV industry, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors, and purchasing agencies in understanding the PV requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC). John is a Program Manager at the Southwest Technology Development Institute at New Mexico State University.  He serves as Secretary for an NFPA-appointed Task Group involved with Article 690 of the NEC.  Over 30 submissions were accepted for the 2008 NEC and over 40 submissions are being developed for the 2011 Code.  He drafted the text for Article 690 in the 2005 NEC Handbook and 2008 NEC Handbook. He bought his first codebook in 1960 and installed his first PV system in 1984. He lived in an off-grid, PV/wind-powered home (permitted and inspected, of course) with his wife Patti, two dogs, and a cat for more than 16 years.  His home currently has a 5 kW utility-interactive PV system will full-house battery backup.  He has a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Two Utah courses:

  August 12, 2008 - Salt Lake City, UT

• Salt Lake Community College, Redwood Campus, Technical Building room #203 (TB203).

               4600 S. Redwood Rd., Salt Lake City, UT 84130 - Campus map

  August 14, 2008 - St. George, UT

• Water and Energy Administration Building, 811 E Red Hills Parkway, St. George, UT 84770

Continuing Education Credits:

• 6 hours - NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)
• 8 hours – State of Utah Continuing Education for Electricians and Inspectors

Schedule: 8:30am - 4:30pm (check-in at 8:00 am)

Cost: $35 (includes course materials, lunch, and continuing education credits)

To Register*: please mail registration form (download here), along with payment to:

Utah Clean Energy

Re: PV/NEC Course  

1014 2nd Avenue

Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Make checks payable to “Utah Clean Energy”

*Must enclose a registration form for each attendee if check is for more than one person

Questions? contact Kelly Knutsen with Utah Clean Energy at kelly@utahcleanenergy.org, (801) 363-4046; www.utahcleanenergy.org

No refunds after deadline.  Must send payment to confirm reservation.

This course is sponsored by the following organizations: