NEC 2026 updates solar labeling under Article 690 and Section 110.16. The biggest change: arc flash labels now require system voltage, arc flash boundary, incident energy, and date applied -- generic "Warning: Arc Flash Hazard" stickers will fail inspection. OCPD devices must be marked "PV" or "Photovoltaic." DC voltage labeling is simplified with a new rounding rule under 690.7(D).
Your permit was approved under NEC 2023. Now your AHJ just adopted NEC 2026 -- and your label kit is already out of date. That's the reality hitting crews across the country right now as states roll through the new code cycle. The stakes are real: a failed inspection costs you a reinspection fee, idle crew time, and customer goodwill you can't buy back.
NEC 2026 brings mostly targeted changes to solar labeling -- not a complete overhaul. But the changes that did land are meaningful. Arc flash marking got substantially tighter. DC voltage labeling got simpler. OCPD marking got a new requirement. If you know exactly what changed and what stayed the same, you can update your label kit and keep moving. This article walks through every NEC 2026 change that affects solar label requirements, section by section, so your crew is inspection-ready from day one.
What Changed in NEC 2026 for Solar Labels?
The short answer: three sections changed in ways that directly affect what labels you put on a job. Everything else was editorial cleanup or moved text with no practical impact on your label schedule.
The three sections that matter are Section 110.16 (arc flash marking), Section 690.7(D) (DC voltage labeling), and Section 690.9(D) (OCPD marking). A fourth change -- Section 690.13's cross-reference to Article 705.20 -- affects disconnecting means requirements but doesn't change the label text itself.
NEC 2026 is published. As of early 2026, roughly 17 states have adopted NEC 2023. Most are still on 2023 or 2020. Check with your AHJ before assuming 2026 applies on your job. That said, it's worth building 2026-compliant label kits now so you're not caught scrambling when your county flips the switch.
How Did Arc Flash Labeling Change Under NEC 2026 Section 110.16?
Arc flash is where NEC 2026 hits hardest. Under previous editions, a generic warning label -- "Warning: Arc Flash Hazard -- Do Not Work on Energized Equipment" -- satisfied Section 110.16(A). That's no longer enough for equipment covered by 110.16(B).
NEC 110.16(A) still requires a general arc flash hazard marking on all energized equipment in non-dwelling locations likely to need service while energized. Switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, motor control centers -- any equipment your solar crew might service hot needs this base-level warning.
NEC 110.16(B) goes further. For service equipment and feeder-supplied equipment rated 1,000 amperes or more, the label must now be a full arc flash label per NFPA 70E Section 130.5(H). That means the label must include:
- Nominal system voltage
- Arc flash boundary
- Available incident energy and working distance, OR minimum arc rating of required PPE, OR site-specific PPE level
- Date the label was applied (new requirement in 2023 NEC, carried forward in 2026)
Note the threshold dropped from 1,200A to 1,000A in NEC 2023 and stays at 1,000A in NEC 2026. If you're working on commercial solar with large service equipment, check your amperage ratings carefully.
What Did NEC 2026 Change About DC Voltage Labels?
This is actually good news for installers. NEC 2026 simplified DC voltage labeling under Section 690.7(D).
Under previous editions, some installers had to apply five separate labels with very specific calculated voltages. NEC 2026 allows you to round up to the nearest standard voltage value when labeling PV DC circuits. Instead of a label showing "423.6V max system voltage," you can use "425V" or the next standard increment.
There's one exception: if the marked DC voltage on the equipment already equals the nominal system DC voltage, additional marking isn't required. This harmonizes with the new NEC 2026 definition of PV system circuit nominal voltage.
In practice, this means you can stock fewer SKUs of DC voltage labels and apply them faster in the field. Print Pro AZ's NEC-compliant solar label packs are pre-printed to common voltage values, making this even more straightforward under the new rule.
What Is the New OCPD Marking Requirement in NEC 2026?
Section 690.9(D) adds a new marking requirement for overcurrent protection devices used in PV system DC circuits. Starting with NEC 2026, those OCPDs must be marked "Photovoltaic" or "PV".
This is a labeling requirement that applies to the device itself -- it's a listing and marking issue for the OCPD manufacturer, but it matters for installers too. If your OCPD doesn't carry the required marking, it doesn't comply with 690.9(D). Verify your supply chain before your AHJ does it for you at inspection.
This requirement is separate from the label you apply in the field -- it's about the equipment's factory marking. But it's worth knowing so you can push back on distributors or suppliers who try to spec non-PV-rated OCPDs into your design.
Did the Disconnect Labels Change Under NEC 2026?
Not practically, no. Section 690.13 was updated to point installers to Article 705.20 for disconnecting means requirements, rather than spelling out all the rules internally. Since 705.20 mirrors what 690.13 previously required, your label text doesn't change.
Your PV system disconnect still needs to be permanently marked "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT" or equivalent wording per 690.13(B). It still needs to show open/closed position. The warning label about line and load sides being energized in the open position is still required when applicable.
What you don't need to change is your disconnect label stock. The practical requirements are identical to NEC 2023.
| NEC Section | Change in 2026 | Impact on Labels |
|---|---|---|
| 110.16(A) | Clarified scope | No change to label text |
| 110.16(B) | Full arc flash label required at 1,000A+ | New label required for commercial jobs |
| 690.7(D) | Voltage rounding now allowed | Fewer label SKUs needed |
| 690.9(D) | OCPDs must be marked PV or Photovoltaic | Equipment listing issue, not field label |
| 690.13 | Points to 705.20 | No change to label text |
Which States Are Under NEC 2026 Right Now?
As of early 2026, most states are still enforcing NEC 2023 or NEC 2020. NEC 2026 was published in late 2025, and state adoption typically takes 12-36 months from publication.
NEC 2023 is currently active in states including Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming, among others. NEC 2020 governs in Florida, Georgia, California, New Jersey, and most of the Southeast.
Arizona manages code adoption at the municipal level -- AHJs vary by city. Always confirm the active code edition with your local building department before finalizing your label schedule. Print Pro AZ's team works with installers in Phoenix and across the Southwest daily. Questions? Call Brent: (602) 649-5305.
FAQ
Do I need new labels for every job now that NEC 2026 is published?
Only if your AHJ has adopted NEC 2026. Most jurisdictions are still on NEC 2023 or 2020 as of early 2026. Confirm the active code with your local building department before changing your label kit.
What does a compliant NEC 2026 arc flash label need to include?
For equipment covered by 110.16(B) -- service and feeder-supplied equipment at 1,000A or more -- the label must include nominal system voltage, arc flash boundary, incident energy or PPE requirements, and the date the label was applied. It must meet NFPA 70E Section 130.5(H).
Does the 690.7(D) voltage rounding rule apply to all solar jobs?
Yes, for PV DC circuit voltage labels. NEC 2026 allows you to round up to a standard voltage value rather than labeling the exact calculated voltage. This simplifies your label kit and reduces job-specific custom printing.
What happens if my OCPD isn't marked "PV" under NEC 2026?
Under 690.9(D), OCPDs in PV system DC circuits must be marked Photovoltaic or PV. An inspector enforcing NEC 2026 could reject unlisted or improperly marked OCPDs. Verify your equipment specs before the job, not at inspection.
Is the generic "Warning: Arc Flash Hazard" sticker still enough under NEC 2026?
For 110.16(A) equipment -- general energized equipment -- a generic warning is still the baseline. But for service and feeder-supplied equipment at 1,000A or more under 110.16(B), a full NFPA 70E-compliant arc flash label is required. Generic stickers will fail on those systems.
3 Key Takeaways
- Arc flash labels got stricter. Equipment at 1,000A or more now requires a full NFPA 70E-compliant label with voltage, boundary, incident energy or PPE level, and date applied.
- DC voltage labeling got simpler. NEC 2026 Section 690.7(D) allows rounding, so you can stock standard voltage labels instead of printing job-specific values.
- Most jurisdictions aren't on NEC 2026 yet. Always confirm the active code edition with your AHJ -- but update your label kit now so you're ready.
Shop our NEC 2023 compliant solar label packs -- /collections/solar-electric-tags
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Brent Hanke | Print Pro AZ | (602) 649-5305 | b.hanke@printproaz.com
Brent Hanke is the founder of Print Pro AZ, supplying NEC-compliant labels to contractors across the country.
Last Updated: 2026-03-23