3 May 2014 5:21 pm
Can't do it CP. Let me put it to you the way the National Electrical Code put's it to me as an electrical contractor. Every electrical device manufactured in the US, as well as most countries requires them to be "Listed". The definition of listed in the NEC reads as follows:Cannonpointer » 02 May 2014 10:35 pm » wrote:Instead of definitions, let's talk functions.
Look at the materials required to construct a solar panel.They cost about $200.00. Add a day's labor to that $200.00, and you've got yourself a solar panel. You could sell iffor $400.00, and you've got yourself a job. So, why isn't anyone doing it?We live in a free enterprise economy, do we not?
Not.
We live in a capitalist economy, which games the system to PREVENT free enterprise. You are not allowed to sell your solar panels without a stamp of approval from Underwriters Laboratories -and they are gate keepers for Wall Street.The cost of shaking hands with UL prevents free enterprisers from operating in that market -and the same thing is going on in almost every market. The little guy is locked out by the engineered and manipulated expense of sitting at the table - locked out. Only Wall Streeters, using OTHER PEOPLES' capital, can afford to play in the game.
We need to go back to a free enterprise economy, where the little guy does not face unsurmountable obstacles to starting a small business.
Article 100: Definitions;
"Equipment, materials, or services included in a list by an organization ( UL, NEMA ) that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products and services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that the equipment, material, or services either meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose."
In other words anything I install at a customers home or place of business has to meet UL, or NEMA rated specifications to legally be installed and pass an inspection by the local or state electrical inspector ( Authority having jurisdiction ). If I were to install anything that didn't meet that criteria I can be held civilly, and or criminally liable if something goes wrong. Not to mention lose my Master electricians license, and contractors license. If you want to make your own solar panels and install them on your own property, it may be permitted, but if something goes wrong, your home owners or business property insurance won't pay for any damages that arise.
The NEC is part of NFPA 70 which all fire departments and electrical inspectors go by. They don't want anything electrical manufactured that isn't uniformly built the same way. It applies to every electrical device manufactured, receptacles, switches, motors, fixtures, you name it. And you're right, it makes the competition very stiff when estimating and submitting bids for jobs.