Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems

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Dinah Arnold
7 years ago
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1 Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems The following information and requirements are necessary for the issuance of permits for residential solar photovoltaic electrical systems. Please be sure applicants obtain the necessary approvals and submit the required documents with their application. 1. Approvals from Other Agencies: a. Obtain a Zone Clearance from Planning for Ground-Mounted Photo- Voltaic panel arrays. b. Obtain approval from Environmental Health for Ground-Mounted, Photo- Voltaic arrays located on properties with onsite waste water treatment system. 2. Building and Electrical Permits from Building and Safety are required for the following: a. For a roof-mounted array weighing more than six (6) Ibs/sq. ft: i. Show the array weight that will be added to the roof. ii. Show the array supports, the roof penetrations and the connection to the roof-framing members. iii. Identify the method of flashing and sealing of the roof penetrations. iv. Provide engineering calculations for the increased loads due to the array and the framing supports. b. For a ground-mounted array more than six (6) feet above grade: i. Show the array supports, framing members and foundation posts and footings. ii. Provide engineering calculations for the supporting structure. c. For panels installed on carports, gazebos, patio covers, and similar structures: i. Provide an engineering report that includes maximum angle allowed and acceptance of the structure to support the vertical loads, and lateral loads (wind and seismic) created by the addition of the Photovoltaic array. 3. Electrical Permits from Building and Safety are required for: a. Roof mounted arrays weighing less than six (6) Ibs/sq.ft.when located on roofs with a single layer of roof cover material (no existing reroofs). b. Ground mounted arrays less than six (6) feet above grade, will be considered a fence for permit requirements. Note: Although a Building permit may not be required for ground mounted supports, other permits and approvals are still necessary, such as a Zone Clearance, electrical permits for the array modules themselves and control systems, and Environmental Health approval where on site waste water treatment systems may be affected. Page 1 of 7

2 4. Electrical Permits REQUIREMENTS are as follows: a. Provide three (3) sets of plans for the photovoltaic module array b. Show the address of the project on the plans. c. Provide a plot plan showing the footprint of the building, and where the panel arrays are to be located (a Zone Clearance plot plan may be used). d. Provide plans and specifications for the photovoltaic modules, panels, arrays and framing supports. e. Specify the conduit size, location (inside and outside of the building) and wire sizes. f. Show the location of the main building electrical disconnect as required by NEC Article (see Figure 1) g. Show the building directory design required by NEC Article and (see Figure 1). h. Provide copies of "cut sheets" from the manufacturer's information brochures for the current inverter and the photovoltaic modules. i. Complete the Solar Photovoltaic Systems Worksheet on page 7. j. Photovoltaic Arrays shall be located so as to not obstruct or interfere with the function of plumbing vents or mechanical equipment (CPC & 906 and CMC 304 & 407). k. Roof mounted Photovoltaic Arrays on Residential Structures shall meet the limitations in the California Residential Code (CRC) section R331: i. Arrays shall be designed so that each array is no greater than 150 by 150 in either axis. ii. Roof access points shall be located in areas that DO NOT require the placement of ladders over windows and doors. iii. Panels installed on roofs greater than slopes of 2 units vertical in twelve units horizontal (2:12), shall be provided with access paths. See figures 2, 3, 4, 5. iv. Conduit wiring systems and raceways shall be located as close as possible to the ridge, hip, or valley and run as directly as possible to an outside wall so as to minimize the amount of conduit on the roof. l. Photovoltaic drawings and installations using a Supply-Side Connection per CEC (A) and (6) shall either: i. Provide third-party certification of field altered service-panels modified to accept the supply side connection per CEC 90.7 and 110.3(a) & (b), or ii. Replace the main service-panel with one that is listed to accept a supply-side connection without field alteration. m. The following Electrical requirements shall be met: CEC Code Sections: Back-fed circuit breakers. Plug in type back-fed circuit breakers connected to stand alone or utility interactive systems shall be secured. Circuit breakers marked line and load : shall not be backfed. CEC E Page 2 of 7

3 Arc Fault Circuit Protection: PV systems with DC circuits, output circuits, or both, on or penetrating a building operating at pv maximum system voltage of 80 volts or greater shall be protected by a listed (dc) arc fault circuit interrupter. CEC Additional Provisions: The provisions of Article 230, VI. Service Equipment Disconnecting Means shall apply to the Photo-Voltaic power source disconnecting means. Exception 1: the disconnecting means shall not be required to be suitable as service equipment and shall be rated in accordance with section (A). Exception 2: Equipment such as Photovoltaic source circuit isolating switches, over current devices, and blocking diodes shall be permitted on the Photo-Voltaic power source side of the Photo-Voltaic power source disconnecting means Service Equipment Disconnecting Means General. Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service-entrance conductors. (a) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors. Service disconnecting means shall not be installed in bathrooms. (b) Marking. Each service disconnecting means shall be permanently marked to identify it as a service disconnecting means. (c) Suitable for Use. Each service disconnecting means shall be suitable for the prevailing conditions. Service equipment installed in hazardous (classified) locations shall comply with the requirements of Articles 500 through 517. Identifying Multiple Sources of Power When a building or structure is supplied by multiple power sources, a permanent plaque or directory is required at each location denoting the location of the other source of power and the area served by each (See figure 1). The plaque may be metal or plastic, with engraved or machine printed letters, or electro-photo plating, in a contrasting color to the plaque. Plexiglass-covered paper or laminated paper directories are also acceptable. The plaques or directories shall be attached to the electrical panels or located adjacent to the panels on the structure. Please refer to the following 2013 California Electrical Code Sections 230.2, 690.4, 702.8(A), and for additional information. The following is an example of the permanent plaque or directory. This example shows a main service panel and an alternate source of power supplying electrical power to a building. Page 3 of 7

4 Figure 1 CAUTION POWER TO THIS BUILDING IS SUPPLIED FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES WITH DISCONNECTS LOCATED AS SHOWN: Utility supplied main service panel (serves the entire building) supplied subpanel (serves the entire building) Based on the 2013 California Electrical Code North Building Page 4 of 7

5 Figure 2: Cross Gable Roof Figure 3: Full Gable Page 5 of 7

6 Figure 4: Cross Gable With Valley Figure 5: Full Hip Roof Page 6 of 7

7 Solar Photovoltaic Systems Worksheet: Central Inverter Systems for Single Family Dwellings 1. Calculate the maximum DC system voltage (Shall not exceed the inverter maximum DC input voltage and shall not exceed 600 volts): (a) Maximum number of modules per string x Voc x temperature correction factor 1.14 = volts (a). CEC Table (B)(2)(b) Note: This formula is intended to provide a close approximation of the maximum DC system voltage possible at the job location under the lowest ambient temperature condition. This result will always be slightly higher than when using the module manufacturer supplied temperature coefficient. The intent is to alert the installer that the 600 volt limit is close to being exceeded and is not intended to provide as accurate a result as the calculation employing the manufacturer supplied coefficient. Where the installer chooses to use the manufacturer s supplied coefficient, approval by the local enforcing agency is required. 2. Calculate the maximum DC current per string to allow for peak sunlight conditions and continuous operation in excess of three hours: Module Isc x 1.56 = Max amps carried by the conductor. Project Address: Permit Number: Page 7 of 7

City of Riverside Building & Safety Division Phone: (951) 826-5697 www.riversideca.gov

City of Riverside Building & Safety Division Phone: (951) 826-5697 www.riversideca.gov PHOTOVOLTAIC PERMITTING GUIDELINES The information provided in this document is general and is intended only as a