Oregon Solar + Storage Conference 2025

This four-hour course will review the critical requirements for the proper installation of PV systems by the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC), which is based on NEC. The course will focus on significant changes made in the 2023 NEC. Articles reviewed include 690 – PV Systems and 705 - Interconnected Electrical Power Production Sources. The course’s target audience includes Oregon State-Certified Electricians, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors, building officials, engineers, and designers.
Topics Covered:

• Article 690 
  • Revisions in 2023
  • Circuit requirements
  • Disconnecting means
  • Wiring methods
  • Grounding 
  • Markings
• Article 705
• Oregon-specific requirements (OSSC and ORSC codes)

The two-hour solar-plus-storage course will teach participants the current codes and standards for photovoltaic (PV) systems that integrate energy storage systems. The course will cover NFPA codes, the standards referenced within those codes, and Oregon-specific requirements from the OSSC and ORSC. The course is intended for code electrical contractors, solar installers, building officials, engineers, and designers to better understand the current solar-plus-storage system requirements.
Topics Covered:

• NEC 480, 690, 702, 705, 706
• NFPA 855
• IEEE and UL standards
• Solar-plus-storage system configurations 
• Design and installation requirements for Code compliance

In no particular order: Features of BX, background of UL3741, Our UL3741 listing and how to apply it to commercial installs, then designing a system, then finally, commercial services/support/engineering. 

Battery energy storage systems are key to the energy transition as well as much needed reliable resiliency needs. The PV industry is fairly mature but the energy storage industry is growing rapidly, with storage technologies, codes, and standards evolving. Storage related fire events raise significant and justified concerns within communities. It is important to understand the state of today's ESS technologies, current and expected updates to codes and standards, testing and requirements...all of which have safety implications. This is key to be able to make informed decisions about your development and guidance for your community customers as well as your jurisdiction and fire stakeholders. Join subject matter experts from engineering and education firm, Mayfield Renewables who will provide clarity on the real vs perceived risks of battery energy storage systems and provide insight on current and upcoming updates to related codes and standards.

This session will discuss recent utility proposals for non-firm energy, the historical practice of utility curtailments, customer responses, and possible solutions. It will also address the legal issues, benefits, and challenges of providing and utilizing this interruptible energy service.   

Electric utility load projections have skyrocketed over the last few years. Traditional “duty to serve” utilities are desperate to find creative ways to meet this new demand while still complying with their renewable resource mandates and greenhouse gas limits. Fueled by mounting requests to power new data centers and clean tech manufacturing and restrained by transmission limits, climate initiatives, the intermittency of solar and wind generation, and a load curve that peaks just as the sun goes down, utilities are looking to revive and repackaging the practice of offering non-firm, interruptible, service for new large loads. Something that was more compatible with aluminum factories and paper mills that could shut down production lines or ramp up cogeneration, non-firm service allows a utility to curtail large customers during peak demand to balance the grid. Unlike these industries of old, however, this new large demand cannot just shut down, and running traditional diesel backup generation would violate climate-driven requirements.  A possible solution is battery storage, charged during off-peak hours, and used to bridge the gap during utility curtailments. 

This session will cover:
1) Battery Storage System Design, Safety and Maintenance.
2) Installers and other interested parties.
3) How to safely design and install a battery-based energy system in a home or commercial environment.  Common components used. Safety precautions.