Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

fpl.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

171–180 of 180 posts

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#171

Post by JshWright »

thriftwy wrote: post #169
criddell wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The court system is there to challenge bad laws. If a law is somehow justifiable but I still don't like it, then I might break it. If there are consequences for that, then I'll accept those consequences. For example, if my shoddy water heater install causes my house to burn down and my insurance refuses to cover the damage because it wasn't up to code, then that sucks, but it's ultimately my responsibility.

Of course it is your responsibility. But as long as it is, it's nobody else's business. Laws should only regulate how a person interacts with other entities. It has absolutely no standing in regulating what an adult person does with themself and their belongings.

> Laws should only regulate how a person interacts with other entities.

Right, which is why building codes make sense. The "other entities" involved are the people who may buy your house someday, and the first responders who may enter your house in an emergency to save you or your loved ones.

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#172

Post by thriftwy »

JshWright wrote: post #171
thriftwy wrote: post #169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of course it is your responsibility. But as long as it is, it's nobody else's business. Laws should only regulate how a person interacts with other entities. It has absolutely no standing in regulating what an adult person does with themself and their belongings.

> Laws should only regulate how a person interacts with other entities. Right, which is why building codes make sense. The "other entities" involved are the people who may buy your house someday, and the first responders who may enter your house in an emergency to save you or your loved ones.

They're not involved yet. You're out of your bounds to make a person do something (like, accept inspector) on a promise of future interaction.

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#173

Post by thriftwy »

JshWright wrote: post #170
criddell wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The court system is there to challenge bad laws. If a law is somehow justifiable but I still don't like it, then I might break it. If there are consequences for that, then I'll accept those consequences. For example, if my shoddy water heater install causes my house to burn down and my insurance refuses to cover the damage because it wasn't up to code, then that sucks, but it's ultimately my responsibility.

> For example, if my shoddy water heater install causes my house to burn down and my insurance refuses to cover the damage because it wasn't up to code, then that sucks What if you're still inside the house when it catches fire, causing me (a firefighter) to enter the house to attempt to rescue you, and I'm killed in the process. Does that also "suck"? I imagine my wife and kids might feel a bit more strongly about t…

So sue the homeowner. After the situation resolved.

But I don't see how a person owes something to you over a hypothetical situation.

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#174

Post by criddell »

JshWright wrote: post #170
criddell wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The court system is there to challenge bad laws. If a law is somehow justifiable but I still don't like it, then I might break it. If there are consequences for that, then I'll accept those consequences. For example, if my shoddy water heater install causes my house to burn down and my insurance refuses to cover the damage because it wasn't up to code, then that sucks, but it's ultimately my responsibility.

> For example, if my shoddy water heater install causes my house to burn down and my insurance refuses to cover the damage because it wasn't up to code, then that sucks What if you're still inside the house when it catches fire, causing me (a firefighter) to enter the house to attempt to rescue you, and I'm killed in the process. Does that also "suck"? I imagine my wife and kids might feel a bit more strongly about t…

I'm arguing for codes, not against them. My comment about accepting consequences that might suck was in relation to the absurd hypothetical about allowing the government to come inspect my underwear. I really can't think of a situation where my tighty whiteys could result in the death of a firefighter.

I think the person I was arguing with was trying to find out if there was any line that the government could cross that I would think is unreasonable and of course there is. Building codes, as they are today, aren't anywhere near that line though.

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#175

Post by JshWright »

thriftwy wrote: post #172
JshWright wrote: post #171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Laws should only regulate how a person interacts with other entities. Right, which is why building codes make sense. The "other entities" involved are the people who may buy your house someday, and the first responders who may enter your house in an emergency to save you or your loved ones.

They're not involved yet. You're out of your bounds to make a person do something (like, accept inspector) on a promise of future interaction.

So, you want the inspector to enter the burning house to make sure it won't catch on fire, risking the lives of firefighters?

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#176

Post by thriftwy »

JshWright wrote: post #175
thriftwy wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're not involved yet. You're out of your bounds to make a person do something (like, accept inspector) on a promise of future interaction.

So, you want the inspector to enter the burning house to make sure it won't catch on fire, risking the lives of firefighters?

I have expectation not to be judged for something I might or might not do.

It is really that simple. You are assuming I might be a criminal for not having my plumbing in order. But I'm innocent until guity, so please get lost with all your inspectors together.

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#177

Post by tpxl »

Caveman_Coder wrote: post #140
tpxl wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Disconnect the grid on both ends of the issue, fix it, then reconnect?

The problem is that utility company distribution system operators can issue clearances (ensuring a de-energized state) on their systems disconnects, but not on individual home system disconnects. Its not a tough problem to work around though, all the troublemen would have to do is to ensure the line is dead before installing their shorts and grounds, if the line wasn't dead, they'd stop work and figure out which netw…

Sorry for the late reply.

Since it is completely distributed, you would need to have an ability to disconnect it pretty much everywhere, and as such could disconnect it locally. Eg. if a new house is being connected, disconnect the adjacent houses, install it, then reconnect (assuming a linear grid between the three houses).

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#178

Post by smndelphi »

You have to design the system correctly so it does not backfeed grid. https://goo.gl/iw8f8w Look at the marketecture from solar edge. You can add in a generator with a automatic transfer switch. They also highlight a scenario with existing PV and a separate grid tie inverter.

Re: Florida Power and Light: Regulations for home solar installations

#180

Post by Caveman_Coder »

tpxl wrote: post #177
Caveman_Coder wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that utility company distribution system operators can issue clearances (ensuring a de-energized state) on their systems disconnects, but not on individual home system disconnects. Its not a tough problem to work around though, all the troublemen would have to do is to ensure the line is dead before installing their shorts and grounds, if the line wasn't dead, they'd stop work and figure out which netw…

Sorry for the late reply. Since it is completely distributed, you would need to have an ability to disconnect it pretty much everywhere, and as such could disconnect it locally. Eg. if a new house is being connected, disconnect the adjacent houses, install it, then reconnect (assuming a linear grid between the three houses).

Ah, thanks for the reply. I misunderstood your original comment. I thought you were talking about interfacing with existing utility company distribution networks instead of being completely distributed.
Post reply on HN