OAR 918-282-0400
Solar Licensing

The purpose of this rule is to clarify the scope of work for solar installations. It does not affect the scope of licenses established in ORS 479.630 (Requirements for obtaining licenses).

(1)

For the purposes of this rule the following definitions apply:

(a)

“Building Integrated” means photovoltaic (PV) cells, devices, modules, or modular materials that are integrated into the outer surface or structure of a building and serve as the outer protective surface of that building or structure, such as the roof, skylights, windows or facades.

(b)

“Module” means a complete, environmentally protected unit consisting of solar cells, optics, and other components, exclusive of tracker, designed to generate dc power when exposed to sunlight.

(c)

“Racking” means the material, supports, attachment, frame, skeleton used to attach a solar system or module to a building, structure, or ground mounting.

(d)

“Rack mounted PV module” means a PV module that is attached to racking.

(2)

Persons placing or installing structural elements, including footings, roofs, carports, racking, and building integrated PV modules are not required to possess an electrical license.

(3)

The total generating capacity of a PV system, measured in KW AC, is determined by calculating the sum of the manufacturer’s rated capacity of the AC side of the inverters connected to the solar panels.

(4)

The following licensing requirements apply to PV system installations:

(a)

For PV systems not exceeding 50 KW AC a Limited Renewable Energy Technician, General Journeyman Electrician, General Supervising Electrician or a Limited Residential Electrician working within the scope of their license is required to perform the following:

(A)

Installation or attachment of PV modules to racking.

(B)

Making electrical connections between modules, including installation of all conductors that connect to and/or interconnect all PV modules regardless of the type of electrical connection including plug-type interconnections.

(C)

Making electrical connections to combiner boxes and inverter(s), including installation of all conductors between arrays and combiner boxes, up to the load side of the inverter.

(D)

All elements of system grounding utilizing wire-type conductors on the DC side of the inverter.

(E)

Making AC electrical wiring and connections to the termination of the final factory-provided interconnecting cable on the exterior of a structure that extends a maximum distance of 10 feet from the renewable energy system, and extends no more than three feet within an accessible space of a structure, and does not connect to the structure’s wiring system.

(b)

For PV systems exceeding 50 KW AC a General Journeyman Electrician, General Supervising Electrician or a Limited Residential Electrician working within the scope of their license is required to perform the following:

(A)

Installation or attachment of PV modules to racking.

(B)

Making electrical connections between modules, including installation of all conductors that connect to and/or interconnect all PV modules regardless of the type of electrical connection including plug-type interconnections.

(C)

Making electrical connections to combiner boxes and inverter(s), including installation of all conductors between arrays and combiner boxes, up to the load side of the inverter.

(D)

All elements of system grounding utilizing wire-type conductors.
(E) Electrical connections to building electrical system including all AC connections on the line side of the inverter(s).

Source: Rule 918-282-0400 — Solar Licensing, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=918-282-0400.

918‑282‑0000
Electrical Contractors in General 918‑282‑0010
Electrical Contractor License 918‑282‑0015
Electrical Contractor’s Responsibilities 918‑282‑0017
Elevator Contractor Electrical License 918‑282‑0020
Limited Sign Contractor License 918‑282‑0030
Limited Energy Contractor License 918‑282‑0033
Limited Renewable Energy Contractor 918‑282‑0040
Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor-HVAC/R License 918‑282‑0050
Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor License 918‑282‑0060
Restricted Energy Contractor License 918‑282‑0070
Limited Pump Installation Specialty Contractor License 918‑282‑0100
Electrical Licensing in General 918‑282‑0110
General Licensing Exemptions 918‑282‑0120
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Work 918‑282‑0130
Fees 918‑282‑0140
General Supervising Electrician License 918‑282‑0150
Employment Requirements for Supervising Electricians Employed by Industrial or Manufacturing Plant 918‑282‑0160
Limited Supervising Electrician License 918‑282‑0170
General Journeyman License 918‑282‑0180
Limited Residential Electrician License 918‑282‑0185
Limited Elevator Journeyman License 918‑282‑0190
Limited Journeyman Manufacturing Plant Electrician License 918‑282‑0200
Indorsement for Manufacturing Plant Electricians 918‑282‑0205
Limited Renewable Energy Technician 918‑282‑0220
Limited Journeyman Sign Electrician License 918‑282‑0230
Limited Journeyman Stage Electrician License 918‑282‑0240
Limited Maintenance Electrician License 918‑282‑0260
Limited Building Maintenance Electrician License 918‑282‑0270
Apprentices 918‑282‑0290
Elevator Apprenticeship Program 918‑282‑0345
Class “A” Limited Energy Technician License 918‑282‑0355
Licensing Requirements for Class “A” Limited Energy Technician 918‑282‑0360
Class “B” Limited Energy Technician 918‑282‑0365
Licensing Requirements for Class “B” Limited Energy Technician 918‑282‑0400
Solar Licensing
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 918-282-0400’s source at or​.us