OAR 918-282-0400: Solar Licensing

The purpose of this rule is to clarify the scope of work for solar installations. It does not affect the scope of licenses established in ORS 479.630. (1) For the purposes of this rule the following definitions apply: (a) “Building Integrated” means photovoltaic (PV) cells, devices, modules, or modular materials that are integrated into the outer surface or structure of a building and serve as the outer protective surface of that building or structure, such as the roof, skylights, windows or facades. (b) “Module” means a complete, environmentally protected unit consisting of solar cells, optics, and other components, exclusive of tracker, designed to generate dc power when exposed to sunlight. (c) “Racking” means the material, supports, attachment, frame, skeleton used to attach a solar system or module to a building, structure, or ground mounting. (d) “Rack mounted PV module” means a PV module that is attached to racking. (2) Persons placing or installing structural elements, including footings, roofs, carports, racking, and building integrated PV modules are not required to possess an electrical license. (3) The total generating capacity of a PV system, measured in KW AC, is determined by calculating the sum of the manufacturer’s rated capacity of the AC side of the inverters connected to the solar panels. (4) The following licensing requirements apply to PV system installations: (a) For PV systems not exceeding 50 KW AC a Limited Renewable Energy Technician, General Journeyman Electrician, General Supervising Electrician or a Limited Residential Electrician working within the scope of their license is required to perform the following: (A) Installation or attachment of PV modules to racking. (B) Making electrical connections between modules, including installation of all conductors that connect to and/or interconnect all PV modules regardless of the type of electrical connection including plug-type interconnections. (C) Making electrical connections to combiner boxes and inverter(s), including installation of all conductors between arrays and combiner boxes, up to the load side of the inverter. (D) All elements of system grounding utilizing wire-type conductors on the DC side of the inverter. (E) Making AC electrical wiring and connections to the termination of the final factory-provided interconnecting cable on the exterior of a structure that extends a maximum distance of 10 feet from the renewable energy system, and extends no more than three feet within an accessible space of a structure, and does not connect to the structure’s wiring system. (b) For PV systems exceeding 50 KW AC a General Journeyman Electrician, General Supervising Electrician or a Limited Residential Electrician working within the scope of their license is required to perform the following: (A) Installation or attachment of PV modules to racking. (B) Making electrical connections between modules, including installation of all conductors that connect to and/or interconnect all PV modules regardless of the type of electrical connection including plug-type interconnections. (C) Making electrical connections to combiner boxes and inverter(s), including installation of all conductors between arrays and combiner boxes, up to the load side of the inverter. (D) All elements of system grounding utilizing wire-type conductors. (E) Electrical connections to building electrical system including all AC connections on the line side of the inverter(s).