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.

Wholesalers

Solar Products Wholesalers 

Wholesaling refers to buying some products or goods directly from its manufacturer usually at a discount and then reselling it to the retailers for a comparatively higher cost than the original. Basically, wholesalers handle products and package them in small quantities and then sell them to retail customers, either for commercial or personal use. 

Many industries have wholesalers, and that will not skip the solar industries. Nowadays, many solar wholesale stores/firms are operating across the globe, making it much easier for retailers to go solar. Sometimes retailers find it hard to reach direct manufacturers of solar products because some companies do not have their solar stores/shops in public, with that they are not also offering solar products per piece. Through wholesale solar stores/shops, these individuals can easily buy the solar products that they need to replace or maintain their solar systems. 

If you are in need of solar product suppliers for an individual purpose, you may visit some solar outsourcing marketplace to get an updated list of solar wholesalers near your location. There are many solar platforms that provide enough information and data about the solar industry in your region, including all the reliable solar wholesalers in town.

Arabu

A review of Aruba’s solar market

Two years ago, the Aruban government pledged to transition to 100% renewable energy. Unfortunately, the country has not made any significant strides towards achieving this goal. The South American nation currently has a total energy installed capacity of 287 Megawatts.  Renewable energy accounts for only 11.5% of the country’s aggregate installed capacity.  

As of early 2021, Aruba’s installed solar capacity stood at 3.4 Megawatts. This figure is pretty low considering that the Island nation has immense solar potential. Nevertheless, things are looking up for Aruba’s solar market. The government recently implemented some policies and regulatory frameworks that will undoubtedly fuel the growth of the country’s nascent solar market.

Some of the policies worth noting include tax reduction, tax exemptions, and green public procurement frameworks. Aruba’s solar market is poised to become one of the most lucrative markets in South America if the government keeps supporting it. Are you a solar installer or a photovoltaic professional searching for opportunities? Aruba’s budding solar market is worth some consideration.

Aruba’s solar equipment supply capacity    

There are a substantial number of local and multinational solar equipment suppliers serving the Aruban market. They offer different categories of solar equipment, including solar panels, solar inverters, and charge controllers, to name a few. Do you need a reliable, pocket-friendly supplier?

Solarfeeds grants you access to leading equipment suppliers serving the Aruban market. It is time-consuming and challenging to traverse the country requesting quotes from various suppliers. The Solarfeeds family understands that time is a valuable commodity. Consequently, our inquiry page offers a one-stop solution.

Aruba’s ports and logistics services   

There are several ports in Aruba that facilitate the movement of goods to or from overseas markets. Therefore, you can opt to import equipment from any of the world’s leading solar markets if the need arises. Considering that the country’s infrastructure and logistics services are pretty advanced, you can comfortably deliver equipment to the project site.