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HomeMy WebLinkAboutQ&A FOR PERMITTING NON-RESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC _PV_ SYSTEMS Warren H. W. Lee William P. Kenoi Director Mayor Walter K. M. Lau Brandon A. K. Gonzalez Managing Director Deputy Director County of Hawai‘i DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7 · Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720-4224 (808) 961-8321 · Fax (808) 961-8630 www.co.hawaii.hi.us Q&A FOR PERMITTINGNON-RESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS Introduction: The electrical code, Chapter 9 revised on November 8, 2012 for residential Photovoltaic (PV) Systems eliminates the requirement for an architect or structural engineer’s seal on design drawings and specifications for the building permit portion of PV applications. The purpose of this Q&A is to assist applicants prepare submittals to streamline the review process. Question : What permits and paperwork are required for PV applications. Answer : A building and electrical permit application and a completed structural evaluation worksheet are required. Guidelines for permitting a residential PV roof mounted system and the worksheet are online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/pw-pv-guidelines Question : Who applies for these permits? Answer : A homeowner, licensed contractor, or licensed PV installer submits the building permit application. Electrical permit applications are submitted by a Hawai‘i licensed electrical contractor. Question : Where do I apply? Answer Applications are accepted at the Building Division in person or online. Electrical and building worksheets are available online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/pw-online-requests- permit-app/#Bldg or at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center in Kona and 101 Pauahi Street in Hilo at the Building Division. Permit applications may be submitted electronically using Papa'aukahi (www.papaaukahi.hawaiicounty.gov), a web-based permitting system. Permit applications created in Papa Aukahi may be tracked online by the applicant. Question : Are drawings required for a building permit? Answer : Yes. A guideline for the required residential system drawings is available at the Building Division front desk and http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/pw-pv-guidelines County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Question? : Is an Architect or Engineer stamp required on the building permit drawings Answer : No. Residential building permits do not require a professional to prepare or stamp the drawings. It is recommended that a licensed professional review the dwelling’s existing structural integrity and ability to support the photovoltaic panels. All non-residential permits require a Hawai‘i licensed Architect or Structural Engineer to stamp and “wet” sign (an original signature) the drawings. Question : Is the PV structural worksheet attached to the drawings an administrative requirement? Answer : Yes. A completed structural worksheet for residential PV systems, attached to each set of drawings is required. The information is for the review process to determine if the proposed PV mounting system is approved for the conditions described. Question : What is the effective date of the updated guidelines? Answer : Applications submitted after January 1 2013 requires completing the updated structural evaluation worksheet attached to each set of drawings. QuestionWho should sign the worksheet? : Answer : The licensed contractor or homeowner signs the structural evaluation worksheet. Question : What PV mounting systems are approved for use? Answer : Pre-approved mounting systems are listed on the Building Division website under “Bulletins” and are frequently updated online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/public-works- building Question : What is the “Value” of the installation for the permit fee? Answer : Permit fees are based on the contract cost of the installation or if not provided, not less than the current average cost of five dollars per watt installed ($5.00 /DC Panel Watt, e.g. 265 Watt Panel x $5.00 = $1,325 value of installation or a permit fee of $22.75). Permit fees are based on Chapter 5, Section 5-35 Table 1-A of the Hawaii County Code. Question : Why are PV panels located 10” minimum from the ridge, or roof edges? Answer : The building code references the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) guidelines for wind design and provides acceptance criteria for PV roof mounted systems. The County of Hawai‘i adopted this criteria for systems that do not have International Code Council (ICC) Evaluation Reports. QuestionWhat wind category or wind speed and Seismic zone maps do I use? : Answer : Maps are available online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/pw-new-bldg-code/#82 Effective Wind Speed can be interpolated from Figure 1609.1.1.1(a); Wind Exposure Category Figure 1609.4.4(a) (less than ¼ mile from the ocean is Exposure D); and Seismic Zones Maps are online at International Residential Code http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2009/index.htm 12/27/2012 7:54:26 AM County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.