Permitting Requirements for Off-Grid

[Sunking]

But if you drill a small hole in the side of your house and plop an extension wire through, and hook a TV up to it, is that considered the same thing?

Technically no but that does fall into the grey area. Like I said the AHJ is always right and can interpret the codes anyway they wish.

[liquidDog]

I get what you are saying, and I do intend to have an electrician double check my design and implementation.

It is black and white that if you are moving circuits over from one panel to another and using existing wiring inside the walls to provide power, this is wiring in the structure. But if you drill a small hole in the side of your house and plop an extension wire through, and hook a TV up to it, is that considered the same thing?

[Sunking]

It sounds like the grey area is attaching the power to your home. My goal was to have a panel (installed by an electrician) next to my main panel and slowly move over 15-20A circuits to it as my solar system grows.

No that is not a grey area, it is very black and white. Do that and it becomes part of the premisses wiring system and all codes apply.

The problem is you are not only putting yourself at risk, you are putting the fire department, police, water department, neighbors, tax collector, and your insurance carrier at risk.

[liquidDog]

The dividing line in Austin and most any other city if the any of the wiring is part of the premisses wiring for light and power, they will be required to follow all local codes and permitting process.

Now with that said if all the wiring, apparatuses, equipment and any thing associated with the solar system are part of the home, then the city does not have jurisdiction. It them becomes something like Christmas lights which add no value to your property for tax purposes or a public threat.

So if you do not attach anything to your home, keep it plug-n-cord connected, and portable you can do it. Just keep one thing in mind, the local authority having jurisdiction has the legal right and authority to interpret the code as he or she wishes, and has the authority to have your electricity turned off and hold you in jail until you comply.

Thanks for the insight. My system will be portable as I intend to take it with me whenever I move. Next weeks project will be welding the stand for the panels which is designed to be completely modular, easy to disassemble and move. I'm building a power shed which is also designed to be moveable, in the way that you can have a shed delivered as one piece.

It sounds like the grey area is attaching the power to your home. My goal was to have a panel (installed by an electrician) next to my main panel and slowly move over 15-20A circuits to it as my solar system grows. Considering my oven, dryer, and water heater are natural gas powered, it's not unthinkable that I could move over everything except the central A/C.

I may have to rethink this somewhat, but I will not be defeated! I don't see living in the city for more than a few more years. We've owned this house for five years, which was longer than our original plan due to property devaluation. Maybe the city should focus on that instead? -rant-

[Sunking]

The dividing line in Austin and most any other city if the any of the wiring is part of the premisses wiring for light and power, they will be required to follow all local codes and permitting process.

Now with that said if all the wiring, apparatuses, equipment and any thing associated with the solar system are part of the home, then the city does not have jurisdiction. It them becomes something like Christmas lights which add no value to your property for tax purposes or a public threat.

So if you do not attach anything to your home, keep it plug-n-cord connected, and portable you can do it. Just keep one thing in mind, the local authority having jurisdiction has the legal right and authority to interpret the code as he or she wishes, and has the authority to have your electricity turned off and hold you in jail until you comply.

[liquidDog]

I called my city and at first they said it is illegal for a homeowner to install a solar system. This is, coincidentally, why I have no interest in a grid-tie system. There are too many conflicts of interest, and way too many fingers in the pie.

I asked, "If I buy a 45 watt panel at Harbor Freight and hook a radio up to it, am I breaking the law in this city?" The conversation went nowhere, and I finally convinced him that I would not need a utility meter except for out of curiosity. He gave me his supervisors number where I left a message. The supervisor called me back and I explained my setup. He said that I would need a "master electrician" to apply for a permit, because I would be considered a service provider.

Just out of curiosity, has anybody else tried to get a permit for a battery-based off-grid system? My opinion would be it's none of their business, but I could understand if they want an electrician sign-off to ensure the system is safe (I can get this). It sounds more like they are saying I am a "service provider" so have to get a yearly permit based on how many kilowatts I produce?