Do I need to meter a photovoltaic system?

It is assumed that aluminum framed photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on a “post” and rail mounting system, the most common in the industry today, will be installed by the homeowner. While metering the system is encouraged, the specification does not address system wiring elements for associated system sensors or monitoring equipment.

What is the minimum array area requirement for a solar PV inverter?

Although the RERH specification does not set a minimum array area requirement, builders should minimally specify an area of 50 square feet in order to operate the smallest grid-tied solar PV inverters on the market.

What should be included in a solar PV system diagram?

The diagram should have sufficient detail to clearly identify: Figure 10: 70-Amp Double Pole Breaker. Figure 11: Site/System Diagram. The diagram should include: array breaker for use by the location, size, orientation, conduit size and location and balance of system solar PV system. component locations.

How much roof space does a solar system need?

would require on the order of 500 square feet of usable roof space (average of 1 kilowatt per 100 square feet) to install the solar panels. However, homes with a higher than average level of energy efficiency, such as those meeting ENERGY STAR® Homes Standards, may not necessitate an average-sized system.

How much weight does a PV system add to a roof?

A conventional PV system that includes racking materials will add approximately 6 pounds per square foot of dead load to the roof or structure, though actual weights can vary for different types of systems. Wind will add live loads; the magnitude of live loads will depend on the geographic region and the final PV system.

What documents should be included in a solar roof plan?

At a minimum, these documents must include specific documentation of dead loads, live loads, wind loads, and, where applicable, snow loads for the existing roof design. These plans will provide important information for the solar designer when the homeowner decides to install a system.