Rapid Shutdowns

Rapid Shutdown

If you got your first solar panel system installed in your house, chances are you will see a box with an on/off switch that says “rapid shutdown.” But do you have any idea what does it mean or why is it important to know when installing a solar panel system at home? 

In today’s article, we will provide you with an overview of rapid shutdown requirements, and everything you need to know about it. 

What is Rapid Shutdown?

Rapid shutdown is an electrical safety regulation that requires every solar panel system to set the solar panel shut-off switch. The National Electrical Code (NEC) introduced it to the public in 2014 with the aim to provide a simple way for firefighters to quickly cut off the current in the DC conductors of the rooftop solar panel systems. It is basically set to make sure that the roof of a building is safe from fire. Usually, when the standard inverter of a solar system is switched off, the DC wiring, from the solar unit, still runs particularly when the sun is up.

Why is Rapid Shutdown Requirement Implemented?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides rapid shutdown requirements and writes them to the NEC to ensure safety measures. Your home may not catch fire so you don’t have to worry about rapid shutdown functionality. However, if it accidentally happens, firefighters can easily use rapid shutdown solutions to de-energize your solar panel system. 

Remember that simply turning off the solar inverter doesn’t shut down the unit. Turning it off may not power off some inverter setups, wires, and circuits, increasing the risk of electric shock. But if you have a rapid shutdown device, then you can easily power off the entire unit, reducing the electrical voltage of your solar panel system in less than a minute. Generally, the rapid shutdown code set the standard to quickly reduce the voltage of any conductors.

Is Rapid Shutdown Required?

Rapid shutdown is a safety measure of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC releases a new or updated set of requirements for safe electrical systems every three consecutive years. Technically speaking, the rapid shutdown is not required everywhere in the United States, although it’s a good idea to install a solar panel system with a rapid shutdown switch. 

Another important thing to note is the NEC is not federally mandated, so individual states can freely choose to follow and abide by the code within their time frame and discretion. Some states choose an independent, state-wide electrical code instead.

Should You Comply with the Rapid Shutdown Regulation?

Generally, solar power systems without rapid shutdown switches are not totally unsafe to first fire responders. If you have a solar power system installed before the implementation of the rapid shutdown, it is less likely to expose your building to more risk. As long as your solar installer is well-experienced with the job, you have nothing to worry about.

However, if you want to be safe and secured, and for your peace of mind, it’s certainly worthwhile to follow the rapid shutdown requirement. Most of the time your installers are highly educated when it comes to changing codes for your state. They also can design your solar power system that can easily comply with all rapid shutdown requirements.

Distributors

Solar Products Distributors

Distributors are those companies working as big warehouses that served as the middlemen between the consumer/customer and the manufacturer. Typically, in distribution, a company is handling the sourcing, stocking and logistics but nowadays they are also helping manufacturers in product designing and solving other business conflicts. 

Aside from other industries, distributors also play a vital role in the solar industry. Solar distributors become long-term partners of solar manufacturing companies and even solar contractors. They are not only serving as warehouse facilities but partners that also provide strategic solutions to help solar companies achieve their desired outcomes. Solar distributors assist solar manufacturing companies by storing. handling and shipping their solar products to their buyers. On the other hand, they help solar contractor companies in outsourcing high-quality solar products. 

These solar distributors are the ones who deal with homeowners who want to go solar, businesses that work with the solar industry and solar installers who offer solar system services to both residential and commercial customers. But on top of that, the solar distributor’s main role is to maintain its commitment to outsourcing and handling high-quality products and delivering them to customers at a good value. 

Up to these days, many solar distributors have been operating and helping many solar companies in distributing their products. So, if you are looking for the most trusted and reliable solar distributor, you can easily find one by checking out solar outsourcing companies that provide easy access to reliable information, news, data and a list of solar suppliers and distributors near you.

Caribbean Netherlands

Caribbean Netherlands’s solar market outlook

The Caribbean Netherlands, comprising three islands, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, is a trailblazer in renewable energy consumption. In 2018, this special municipality of the Netherlands met nearly half its overall power demands using solar energy. The source of this energy was the 4.1 Megawatts solar plant situated on the Island of Sint Eustatius.

Currently, no definitive statistics are showing the overall installed solar capacity in the Caribbean Netherlands. Nevertheless, the future of this budding solar market looks bright owing to a recent scale-up of support for solar energy production. Essentially, the Island’s administration has implemented several measures to promote decentralized solar installations in homes and commercial establishments. Does this mean that there are opportunities for solar installers and professionals in the Caribbean Netherlands’s solar market? 

Well, the answer to the question above is yes. There are several lucrative opportunities for solar installers and professionals in the Caribbean Netherlands.  All it takes to succeed in this market is an unrivalled skill and a reliable solar equipment supplier.

The Caribbean Netherlands’s solar equipment supply capacity (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba)

There are several off-grid and on-grid solar equipment manufacturers and suppliers operating in the Caribbean Netherlands. Do you want a reliable solar equipment supplier for your project? If the answer is yes, the Solarfeeds family has got you covered. Instead of moving from one supplier to another, requesting quotes, visit our website’s inquiry page and place your request. In essence, we help you save time while granting you access to quality and affordable solar equipment.

Ports and Logistics services in Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba)

Each of the three islands that form the Caribbean Netherlands has a reliable harbor. Consequently, you can import quality and affordable equipment from overseas markets by sea if the need arises. You can safely deliver them to your project site using any of the numerous logistics service providers from the port.