Installing photovoltaic or solar panels to a house or commercial property within Fresno County is a great option to reduce the rising energy cost while decreasing your dependence on less eco-green energy sources such as natural gas or coal. Before you even think about purchasing a new solar panel, knowing the permit and photovoltaic standards for Fresno County and how they can affect the design and construction process is crucial.
Submitting a Plan for a Photovoltaic System Installation
Before a permit to build an entirely new solar system can be obtained, a thorough plan must be submitted, specifying the site specifications for the construction and the electrical system and the method of mounting solar panels. The project must be submitted with two copies of all the documents listed below
A Site Plan
It will include a complete technical sketch of the construction site, with property lines and setbacks and existing structures, as well as any new structures added to help facilitate the solar array, for example, ground mounts for solar arrays or trellises.
The design must be drawn to a reasonable size. It should also show how far the array is to the closest property lines when it is a ground-mounted array, as well as the locations of any equipment, such as solar panels, the present AC electrical panel, the AC disconnect, and the DC to AC inverter. The plan must also include the property’s address and ownership details.
An Electrical Plan
A complete electrical plan should be made available that details every photovoltaic device’s specifications, which include:
The number of photovoltaic strings and panels
System voltage and output kilowatts
Specifications for all disconnects, combiners, as well as inverters.
The ampere ratings of the leading electrical buses, such as service disconnects, PV circuit breakers
The dimensions and types of conductors and raceways.
Specifications for electrical components of the manufacturer’s inverters and modules
A Structural Plan
This document will outline the system for mounting solar panels. The requirements will differ based on the structure of the mounting required:
Solar arrays mounted on the ground The plan should contain details for any solar mounting structure, like ground-mount systems, patio covers, trellises, and so on. The plan should include the manufacturer’s installation instructions if pre-fabricated solar mounting and racking systems are employed.
Roof-mounted solar panels are required when an existing roof is utilized; A precise plan proves the roof structure’s capability to transfer the additional energy of a solar panel throughout the construction of the building and then to the ground. This typically requires a precise roof framing plan, including cross-sections and structural calculations. In addition, it could require an architect or engineer licensed to confirm that the top can withstand the weight. The plans will also have to provide details regarding the roof’s composition, including tiles or architectural shingles and the specifications for mounting the top.
Obtaining the Necessary Permits
There will be fees for obtaining the photovoltaic license, including a base cost for systems with up to 10 panels, an additional cost for every other discussion, and a standard electrical charge.
As well as the photovoltaic permits, an electrical license could be required if changes have been made to an electrical system, for instance, an upgrade to the service panel. A building permit is required if the roof needs to be altered to accommodate the weight of the solar panels. An additional building permit is required for any construction designed to accommodate solar panels like ground mounts, trellises, car covers, and patio coverings.
The work must be completed within 180 days from when permits are issued.
Required Inspections
To ensure that the solar system is compliant with all California electrical and building codes, various inspections are necessary for the solar installation procedure, which include:
Electrical Underground
Electrical Rough
Electrical Final
Structural-Foundation
Structural-Rough Framing
Structural-Final
By passing these tests, you can ensure that the solar panel is securely designed, built correctly, and performs optimally.