Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Authors:
Contributors:
Date:
7/29/08
PURPOSE
The Permitting Subcommittee of SolarTech (PSS) proposes Form PV1 as a standard application for the permit to
install photovoltaic (PV) systems that meet the following criteria:
Residential
Roof mounted
Grid connected
PSS bases its proposal on the conviction that standardization will make the permitting and inspection process easier
and faster for building departments and solar contractors, while preserving the highest standards for human and
system safety.
INTRODUCTION
What is the Standard Permit Application (SPA) for PV Systems?
This SPA establishes minimum standards for uniform permitting of PV systems. It is based on applicable codes and
other standards, as well as on the practical experience of installers and inspectors throughout California. Adopting
these standards would streamline PV system permitting processes in building departments.
Why Is It Important?
Installation costs are almost 20 percent of the total costs of solar power in the U.S. today. In contrast, in Japan and
Germany installation costs are about 10 percent of the total. Since workers in both markets are comparably paid, this
advantage must be attributed to better building and installation standards. In the foreign markets, simplified
construction techniques, more effective standardization, and a highly trained workforce have substantially lowered
installation costs. Adopting this SPA would do likewise by harmonizing inspection practices across building
departments.
Building permit and utility interconnection costs in the U.S. are also a substantially higher proportion of total costs
than in Europe and Japan. Lower costs in the foreign markets have resulted from greater homogeneity in solar
system permitting and interconnection. The U.S. must streamline permitting and utility interconnection standards to
lower solar installation costs. Adopting this SPA would achieve that by unifying permitting and interconnection
practices.
Who Will Benefit, and How?
Installers will be better prepared for installation and inspection, and will achieve greater efficiency and a shorter
learning curve. Excessive control will be avoided, and installations and inspections will become streamlined and
more predictable, thereby minimizing costs.
Suppliers will be able to reduce variations in equipment. Effective standardization will promote a thriving
component ecosystem, as the PC industry demonstrates.
Consumers will benefit from reduced costs. They will also be assured safe and effective installations, with
proper structural attachment, wiring and documentation.
The PV industry as a whole will grow more rapidly and achieve a heightened image, further driving down costs
and assuring long-term prosperity.
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Form PV1-INS
PV1A blank form that the PV system installer would complete to apply for the permit(s). Note California PV
system installers should also complete the attached Application for PV System that contains information
required by the State of California. This form covers information about the installer (e.g. license class and
number) as opposed to the actual PV system.
2.
PV1-INSElaborates on the values that the applicant would enter in Form PV1. Appendices A and B list (with
some examples) all the plans and cut-sheets the applicant might attach to Form PV1.
For ease of use, the sections in Form PV1-INS map exactly to the sections in Form PV1. For example, Section 1.1
in PV1-INS describes how to complete Section 1.1 in PV1.
09/27/2007, Version 2
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Form PV1-INS
This form describes the values to enter in Form PV1: the Standard Permit Application for Residential Photovoltaic
(PV) Systems.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Site Plan........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Roof Design...........................................................................................................................................................5
3.2
Wind Design..........................................................................................................................................................5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
Plans ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
A.1
Site Plan.................................................................................................................................................................9
A.2
Roof-Mounting System.......................................................................................................................................12
PV Modules.........................................................................................................................................................17
Inverter ................................................................................................................................................................19
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Form PV1-INS
Enter the contact information of the owner of the property where the PV system will be installed.
SITE PLAN
You are encouraged to attach a site plan showing the structure that supports the PV system and the system's location
on that structure (see Section A.1). The site plan must be on 8.5 x 11 or larger paper. This site diagram does not
necessarily have to be a to-scale drawing of the entire roof surface, as long as it clearly shows where on the roof the
solar panels will be located.
STRUCTURAL INFORMATION
3.1
Roof Design
The specifications in this section only apply to the part of the roof that supports the PV array.
1.
2.
Enter the load concentration (pounds-per-square-foot, PSF), calculated as the array weight divided by the array
area.
3.
Enter the dead load per support point (lbs.), calculated as the array weight divided by the number of supports.
4.
Enter the type of roofing: e.g. composite shingles, wood shake, foam, cement tile, tar and gravel
5.
Specify whether the roof construction uses rafters, trusses or some other form of manufactured roof joists and
specify the type of other. If a manufactured roofing system exists, skip to Section 3.2.
6.
7.
8.
Enter the length of the longest unsupported span in feet and inches. When considering span lengths, you must
account for purlins. For example, list only the longest horizontal distance from the purlin to the adjacent point
of support (i.e. the wall or ridge).
9.
Use a span table to determine if the rafters are over-spanned, then check the appropriate box. Section A.2
includes the 2003 International Residential Code (IRC) span tables.
If the rafters are not overspanned, skip to Section 3.2.
If the rafters are overspanned, complete the remaining fields in the current section.
10. If the rafters are overspanned or the array is over 5 PSF, it is recommended that you provide one of the
following:
a) A framing plan that shows details for how you will strengthen the rafters.
b) Confirmation from a professional engineer that the roof structure will support the array.
3.2
Wind Design
1.
If the PV system is building integrated (BIPV), check the Yes box and skip to Section 4. Otherwise, check the
No box and complete the remaining fields in this section.
2.
Attach calculations or a cut sheet (see Section B.1) of the roof-mounting system that indicates it complies with
the required wind load level as specified in R301.2.1.4 (2) of the 2003 International Residential Code (IRC).
3.
If the PV system is tilted over 18 inches above the roof, check the Yes box and complete the remaining fields in
this section. Otherwise, check the No box and skip to Section 4.
4.
Enter the wind load (pounds-per-square-foot) for which the manufacturer of the roof-mounting system indicates
the system is designed. This value is based on the site exposure, mounting height above ground and wind speed.
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Form PV1-INS
5.
Enter the total wind load on the array (pounds), calculated as the array area (square feet) multiplied by the wind
load (pounds-per-square-foot).
6.
Enter the maximum uplift per support connection (pounds), calculated as the total wind load (pounds) on the
array divided by the number of supports.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
For each type of component, indicate the number of units (where applicable), the manufacturer and model number.
For example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Attach cut sheets for the PV modules (see Section B.2) and inverter(s) (see Section B.3). Attach cut sheets or a
detail plan for the roof-mounting system (see Section B.1).
ELECTRICAL INFORMATION
1.
2.
Complete sections 5.1 through 5.5 for EACH inverter. If all the inverters have the same specifications, you need
only complete this information once.
Note: These instructions are not meant to be a technical design guideline manual explaining in detail how all
calculations were derived for these examples, much less all other possible scenarios for other PV system sizes in
various locations. Calculations are likely to vary significantly from what is shown in these examples for various PV
system sizes and for various locations. Please refer to the NEC manual for further information.
5.1
Maximum Power Point Current (at STC) Produced by Array = (MPP module current) x (number of strings).
STC refers to Standard Test Conditions and is a solar industry standard rating of maximum DC power for solar
modules.
2.
Short Circuit Current Produced by Array = (module short circuit current) x (number of strings)
3.
Maximum Power Point Voltage (at STC) Produced by Array = (MPP module voltage) x (number of modules
in string)
4.
Open Circuit Voltage Produced by Array = (module open circuit voltage) x (number of modules in string)
5.
STC Watts Produced by Array = (the peak capacity of the array in DC watts according to the Standard Test
PTC Watts Produced by Array = (the peak capacity of the array in AC watts according to the PV U.S.A. Test
Conditions rating) x (total number of modules) x (inverter efficiency as rated by the California Energy
Commission)
5.2
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1.
Wire Type and Size = List the type and size (AWG) of the wire to be used under the solar modules on the roof.
Temperature Derated Ampacity of Wire = (base ampacity) x (temperature correction factor) X (conduit fill
factor)
Example: Four wires using #10 AWG USE-2 in free air.
Wire Ampacity = 55A (base ampacity from 900 C column in Table 310.17 for #10 AWG wire) X 0.41
(temperature derate correction factor for 800 C ambient temperature from 900 C column in Table 310.17) =
22.55A
Note 1: Base Ampacity and Temperature Correction Factor are found in NEC Table 310.16 (wires in conduit)
and Table 310.17 (wires in free air).
Note 2: Temperature Correction Factor for this example is derived from NEC 690.31(A) Fine Print Note which
mentions temperatures may exceed 700 C when exposed to high ambient temperatures and bright sunlight. Thus
800 C is used for this example.
Note 3: Conduit fill factor is found in NEC Table 310.15(B)(2)(a). No conduit fill factor was used in this
example as wires are in free air.
3.
NEC-Required Wire Ampacity = (module short circuit current) x (1.25 for maximum illumination) x (1.25 for
continuous duty)
Example: 5.4A (short circuit current for Sharp NT-175U1 solar module) X 1.25 X 1.25 = 8.4A
4.
Equipment-Grounding Conductor Size = List the wire size to be used. You can obtain the minimum size from
5.3
This is the wiring inside the conduit that goes from the array, or from a combiner box if one is present, to the
inverter.
1.
Number of Wires, Type and Size = List the number of wires, type and size (AWG) of the wire to be used.
Temperature Derated Ampacity of Wire = [base ampacity of wire from NEC Table 310.16] x [temperature
derating from NEC Table 310.16] x [conduit fill factor derating from NEC Table 310.15(B)(2)(a)]. This is the
actual wire ampacity, not the NEC-required ampacity.
Example: 30A (base ampacity from 600 C column in table 310.16) x 0.71 (temperature correction factor for 420
C ambient in table 310.16 for 600 C column) x 0.8 (conduit fill factor for 4 wires from table 310.15(B)(2)(a)) =
17.04A
Note: The 600 C column for base ampacity is used in this example because wires attach to inverter which has a
600 C maximum rating.
3.
NEC-Required Wire Ampacity = (module short circuit current) x (number of strings per wire) x (1.56). This is
Fuse Size (if applicable) = Fusing might be required if three or more strings are paralleled. List the fuse type
Equipment-Grounding Conductor Size = List the wire size to be used. You can obtain the minimum size from
5.4
This is the wiring from the inverter to the grid-tie circuit breaker.
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Form PV1-INS
1.
Wire Type and Size = List the wire type and size (AWG).
2.
3.
Temperature Derated Ampacity of Wire = (base ampacity of wire from NEC Table 310.16) x (temperature
derating from NEC Table 310.16). This is the actual wire ampacity, not the NEC-required ampacity.
Example: 30A (base ampacity from 600 C column of Table 310.16) x 0.71 (temperature correction factor for 420
C ambient in table 310.16 for 600 C column) = 21.3A
Note 1: The 600 C column for base ampacity is used in this example because wires attach to inverter which has a
600 C maximum rating.
Note 2: The inverter is mounted in the shade under a patio cover for this example, thus 420 C ambient
temperature is used (this temperature represents the highest ambient temperature for this location. In some
cases the highest ambient temperature can be found at the weather.com web site for a particular location).
Note 3: Two current carrying wires are used in this example, so no conduit fill factor is required to compute
wire ampacity, as Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) applies to conduits with more than three current carrying wires.
Note 4: Conduits in close proximity to rooftops exposed to direct sunlight may need to have 170 C added to
ambient temperature per NEC 310.10 FPN No. 2.
4.
NEC-Required Wire Ampacity = (inverter manufacturer specified maximum output current) x (1.25 for
continuous duty). This is the NEC-required wire ampacity, not the actual ampacity. See example in next item.
5.
Overcurrent Protection (AC breakers) Size = The overcurrent protection (e.g., circuit breaker) size must be
equal to or greater than the value entered in the preceding item: NEC-Required Wire Ampacity. It must also be
less than or equal to the temperature derated ampacity of the wire.
Example: If the SB3000US maximum output current is 12.5A, then (12.5A) x (1.25) = 15.63A, and since there
is no 15.63A breaker size, the next larger size breaker of 20A is specified in this example.
6.
Equipment-Grounding Conductor Size = List the wire size (AWG) to be used. You can obtain the minimum
5.5
Lowest Ambient Temperature for Site = You can obtain this value from historical records at
http://www.weather.com/.
2.
Low Temperature Voltage Multiplier (per NEC) = Obtain this number from NEC Table 690.7, Voltage
Maximum Voltage (DC) Produced by Array (Voc) at STC = (module open circuit voltage) x (number of
modules in string)
4.
Maximum System Voltage (DC) at Low Temperature = (low temperature multiplier) x (maximum voltage
produced by array). This value is the product of items 2 and 3 above. The value must be under 600 volts and
under the inverter's maximum DC voltage (DCV) rating.
Example: SB 3000US has a 500 VDC maximum. So (1.13 for -100C) x (44.4 VDC) x (9 modules) = 451.5
VDC.
5.
AC Grounding Electrode Conductor Size = List the wire size (AWG) used between the main panel ground
DC Grounding Electrode Conductor Size = List the wire size (AWG) used between the inverter and the
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Form PV1-INS
PLANS
This appendix describes the plans you might attach to your application.
A.1
Site Plan
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A.2
Form PV1-INS
Framing Plan
A framing plan is required only if the combined weight of the PV array exceeds 5 pounds per square foot or the
existing rafters are over-spanned. You can use the following 2003 International Residential Code (IRC) tables to
determine if the rafters are over-spanned.
Span Table R802.5.1(1),
Use this table for rafter spans that have conventional light-weight dead loads and do not have a ceiling attached.
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Form PV1-INS
Use this table for rafter spans with a ceiling attached and where heavy dead loads exist.
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This appendix describes the cut sheets and diagrams you might attach to your application.
B.1
Roof-Mounting System
It is recommended that you attach cut sheets or other detailed information for your roof-mounting system. The
following cut sheets are examples from a UniRac manual.
Cut Sheet 1
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Cut Sheet 2
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Cut Sheet 3
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Cut Sheet 4
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Cut Sheet 5
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B.2
PV Modules
You must attach cut sheets for the PV modules. The following are examples.
Cut sheet page 1
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B.3
Inverter
You must attach cut sheets for the inverter. If you have multiple inverters with different specifications, attach cut
sheets for each inverter. The following are examples for a single inverter.
Cut sheet page 1
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B.4
Wiring Diagram
You must attach a wiring diagram for the PV system. The following is an example.
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