Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast
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Intersolar Interconnection with Bill Brooks at The Hub Stage
At Intersolar San Diego, Sean White and Bill Brooks discussed about the growing U.S. momentum for “plugin” or balcony solar, where small PV systems plug into a home branch circuit. Brooks explains that what happens with excess power depends on the utility meter: old spinning meters may run backward and credit you, some modern meters can charge you for exported power, and others ignore exports unless programmed for net metering, which typically requires an interconnection agreement. They discuss efforts to exempt very small systems from interconnection agreements and permitting, pending proposals for the 2029 NEC to address source connections to branch circuits and potential exemptions around 400 watts, plus the need for robust safety certification such as UL 3700. Brooks also recounts his historical role in net metering, IEEE 1547, and California Rule 21, and predicts tighter integration of solar, storage, EVs, and load control to enable self-consumption without exporting. Bill tells us how Jim Dunlop and Jerry Venture taught him about solar in the 1980s and how Ward Bower was one of the first solar people and is still working daily in the industry. Topics Covered: Balcony Solar Plug-In Solar Portable Solar Net-Metering Spinning Meter Branch circuit PCS = Power Control System Interconnections IEEE 929 = original IEEE IEEE 1547 Jerry Venture Florida Solar Energy Center Ward Bower Mike Russell Utility pushback soft costs Reach out to Bill Brooks here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bill-brooks-6782616 Website: www.brooksolar.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at: www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvsiprep
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