The current code only seems to require a disconnect where the power enters the building and the handbook commentary says this specifically does not require any disconnecting means on the roof.
There is a story out of California of a fire on the line side of this inverter disconnect up toward the arrays that they could not put out because the array kept energizing the conductors.
I do not see this coming in the 2011 ROP. Is there any thought about including this in the Fla FBC?

I would like to see a copy of that article on the California fire. When I spoke to our Fire Marshall he was unaware that the PV conductors from an array could still be energized (and could be run through the dwelling in a metallic conduit) even when the disconnect for the PV system disconnect is turned off. If the fire is during the daylight hours I guess Firefighters will have to let it burn itself out and protect the neighbors houses. I agree someting needs to be done about this situation. Bryan, feel like submitting another FBC change, is there still time? I would be willing to help you with the task if you are willing. The new microinverter technology will help this as long as the fire is not in the array itself. The Microinverters have DC GFI protection and the AC side wiring is protected by the backfed breaker from overcurrent and short circuits.

IMHO
Neal Burdick
City of Tampa

I'm not sure if this was a (quote) "fire" - could also be the result of arcing and/or loose connection, similarly the way we see a line side meter lug burn up. That happens all the time on meter sockets and nobody ever required a disconnect at the point of attachment. Still a good article nevertheless, even if it does appear slanted after a closer look.

The burned up inverter guts are described as "A small house fire" and then "a solar-powered electrical fire on her Lake Murray-area home." Then the article contradicts itself by stating that "the fire smoldered for hours" but then after that it says, "Only after an electrician arrived to cut the wires leading from the panels were the flames put down for good." There is more to comment about but you get the idea. Sort of sounds like the whole house was ablaze, but it wasn't.

I also see that there appears to be a violation of 230.2(E). Would not all mains need to be identified via the permanent plaque??? So that people would know, and can quickly shut down all power feeding the premises???