The event meeting room is Columbia Ballroom "A" at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.  Free parking is located to the left of the building.

The state of SC is going to pay for all municipal inspectors that are registered non-contract code enforcement officers.  That would include: electrical, building, mechanical, plumbing, but not fire.  The inspectors need to print this registration form and get it in to Jennie Meade at LLR: SC Building Codes Council as soon as possible.

Registration and Check-In starts at 7:30am.  Program starts at 8:00am.  Lunch will be provided noon-1:00pm.  Refreshment breaks will be at 10:00am and 3:00pm.

To register by mail, please download and complete this form and return with check. You shouldn't mail any later than 7-16-10 to ensure we receive it in time: http://magnoliamediainc.com/files/conference_registration_form.pdf

To download a tri-fold brochure you can mail to your friends, click here:

http://www.magnoliamediainc.com/files/John_Wiles_Tri_Fold_Brochure.pdf

This 7 hour, one-day session will cover the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for designing and installing PV (Photovoltaic-Solar) systems. A basic knowledge of the NEC is required since Code basics will not be addressed. Conductor selection, ampacity calculations and overcurrent devices and disconnects will be covered. How to do it correctly and what not to do are items on the agenda. The focus will be on utility-interactive systems. Electricians, electrical inspectors, PV installers, architects, engineers, and contractors (and anyone else interested in this topic) should attend. PV installers will receive 6 hours of NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) continuing education credits for the course.  Architects will receive 7 hours of AIA continuing education credits, Electrical Inspectors will receive 7 hours of continuing ed credits per the SC Chapter of the International Electrical Inspectors Assn., and professional engineers will receive 7 Professional Development Hours.  And Electrical Contractors and inspectors will be awarded 6 hours of CE credits from the South Carolina Dept. of Labor Licensing & Regulation and the SC Building Codes Council.  Electrical contractors from NC, SC, and GA will receive the credits.

Lunch is included.

Here is the agenda:

Introduction to PV Systems (20 minutes)

Types of systems

Characteristics of PV modules that pertain to code compliance

PV Applications (20 minutes)

Pictures and descriptions of PV systems

PV Equipment (30 minutes)

Pictures and descriptions of PV components

PV and the NEC (5-6 hours includes lunch)

Conductors

Types and sizing

Overcurrent and Disconnect Devices

Types and ratings

Grounding

Terminology and applications

Utility-Interactive Systems

Point of Connection Issues

2008 NEC

Changes for PV Systems and Comparisons to the 2005 NEC are addressed throughout the presentation

The following materials with be provided to attendants at the beginning of the event

· PV/NEC Suggested Practices Manual (149+ pages)

· Hard copies of the Power Point text slides (about 120 pages)

· Inspector Checklist (6 pages)

John Wiles is a Program Manager at the Southwest Technology Development Institute at New Mexico State University. He assists the PV industry, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors, and purchasing agencies in understanding the PV requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC). John serves as Secretary for the PV Industry Forum involved with Article 690 of the NEC. Over 30 submissions were accepted for the 2008 NEC and 54 submissions were submitted for the 2011 Code. He drafted the text for Article 690 in the 2005 NEC Handbook and 2008 NEC Handbook. Fieldwork involves balance of systems design for PV systems, inspections and acceptance testing of PV systems, test and evaluation of PV components, and the design and installation of data acquisition systems. 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.

For more info about Columbia, SC, visit: www.sciway.net