Contractor Checklist of Basic Principles

The following basic principles constitute a minimum standard to be used when designing and
installing a PV system under the Edmonton Solar Electric Pilot Program.

Basic Principles to Follow with an Initial Site Assessment

1) Meet the customer at the site of the proposed PV system’s installation to familiarize
yourself with their house or building and their solar energy needs and desires.
2) Obtain a list of the structure’s monthly electrical energy consumption (on utility bills in
kWh) for at least one year if possible.
3) Evaluate all spaces that will be affected by the PV system, such as:
– possible roof, wall or ground locations paying particular attention to the space for
the solar PV array and how it is affected by the area, orientation, tilt angle, tree
and building shading and nearby obstructions;
– possible location for the inverter, wiring and disconnects paying particular
attending to its proximity to the electrical breaker panelboard, available area, size
of the panelboard main breaker, size of the panelboard buss, availability of spare
breaker positions;
– routing of wiring from the PV array to the inverter, and any penetrations of
exterior or interior walls or the roof;
– space and accessibility for the battery bank (if any), and its associated
switchgear, controllers and wiring.
4) Take photos of the site, house or building, such as:
– views of the front of the building from the south, showing the building and trees;
– views of possible PV array locations (south roof, wall or ground), showing
obstructions, slopes, orientation and shapes;
– views of locations where wiring would likely be routed from the PV array to the
inverter, showing obstructions, slopes, shapes and penetrations;
– views to the south from building, showing trees and other buildings
– views of the electrical room showing space on the walls available for equipment
(inverter and disconnects) and space on the floor for a battery bank (if any);
– views of the electrical breaker panelboard showing the layout of the breaker
panelboard and any breaker slots available, and including its buss amperage
rating, and main breaker amperage rating;
– building electrical meter and any nearby disconnect switch.

Basic Principles to Follow for Good Customer Relationships

1) Be transparent with the customer in all actions and plans.
– This helps to develop trust and mitigate relational issues.
2) Provide the customer with three references of your work.
 3) Develop a simple but detailed written contract for the customer to sign outlining what
you will do, when you will do it, what it will cost and what are the warranties you are
providing. Sign it and ask the customer to sign it. Provide the customer with a copy.
Keep to the proposed schedule and costs. Inform the customer if you need to make any
changes to it.
– Good contracts keep contractors and customers well informed.
4) Provide the customer with an estimated monthly and annual amount and value of
electrical energy generated, along with a reasonable estimate of the annual variation
from this and likely reasons for the annual variation, and show the portion of their annual
electricity consumption that will be provided by their solar electric system.

Basic Principles to Follow When Designing an Effective System

1) Design a system that meets the owner's desires.
– Owner criteria for a system may include, for example, reduction in monthly
electricity bill, environmental benefits (such as emission reductions), amount of
energy generated, duration of grid autonomy, desire for green image.
– Restrictions on the system may include budget, and amount of clear well-oriented
roof, wall or ground area.
2) Size and orient the PV array within the criteria and restrictions mentioned above.
3) Ensure the roof, wall or ground area is capable of accommodating the desired system
size.
4) Ensure that the strength of the roof, wall or ground structures are capable of handling all
loads, including array and racking weight, wind load, wind uplift and snow loads.
Augment the structure as necessary.
5) Specify sunlight and weather resistant materials for all outdoor equipment.
6) Locate the array to minimize shading from foliage, all roof obstructions (such as vent
pipes, satellite dishes, chimneys), and adjacent structures.
7) Design the system in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes.
8) Design the system with a minimum of electrical losses due to wiring, fuses, switches,
and inverters.
9) Ensure the design meets EPCOR Distribution and Transmission’s requirements for
connecting to the grid.
10) Obtain engineering-stamped structural and electrical drawings when required.

Basic Steps to Follow When Installing a Quality PV System

1) All electrical equipment shall be installed according to all relevant provisions of the
Canadian Electrical Code.
2) All persons carrying out work associated with the project’s electrical permit shall be
qualified and hold an appropriate certificate as outlined in Alberta’s Apprenticeship and
Industry Training Act. All work shall be carried out under the responsibility of a Certified
Master Electrician, as required by Alberta laws and regulations.
3) All installed electrical equipment shall be approved to its appropriate Canadian Electrical
Code standard (Rule 2-024) and show this approval by bearing a Certification Mark
 (Rule 2-100) acceptable in Alberta according to Alberta Municipal Affair’s Electrical
Safety Information Bulletin STANDATA LEG-ECR-2.
4) Obtain all required municipal development, building and electrical permits and
grid-connection approval from EPCOR Distribution and Transmission.
5) Verify that the PV system design and structural loads are well-suited to the structure and
to the site conditions on which it is located. Augment site structures as necessary.
6) Properly seal any roof or wall penetrations with building- industry-approved sealing
methods.
7) Install equipment according to manufacturers’ specifications, using installation methods
and procedures that are in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications.
8) Correctly and effectively bond and ground the system’s electrical components as per the
Canadian Electrical Code.
9) Check for proper PV system operation by following the checkout procedures as
recommended by the inverter manufacturer.
10) Ensure the installation meets EPCOR Distribution and Transmission’s requirements for
connecting to the grid.
11) Obtain building and electrical inspections as required.

The City of Edmonton has provided this checklist for the benefit of contractors and home and
business owners for their reference and convenience. The City of Edmonton does not endorse
individual contractors. All successful applicants who wish to participate in the Solar Pilot program
are advised to seek competent professional and technical advice prior to purchasing and
installing their solar electric systems. Applicants are required to do their own research prior to
selecting and hiring a solar installation contractor who can best meet timelines, budgets and the
participant’s individual service requirements.