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Home My WebLink AboutPermitting a Residential Photovoltaic System2.19.16GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM Revised 10.10.12 This guideline is to assist applicants in the permit process for photovoltaic (PV) systems. To determine a property’s flood zone designation, complete the form http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/Browse.aspx?dbid=1&startid=58075 and email the completed form to dpweng@hawaiicounty.gov To obtain an unofficial estimate of the property’s flood zone designation, click on the Flood Hazard Assessment Tool at http://gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat/ EAST HAWAI‘I: Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7, Hilo, HI 96720 PHONE NUMBER: (808) 961-8331: FAX NUMBER: (808) 961-8410 WEST HAWAI‘I: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg E, 1st Floor, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 PHONE NUMBER: (808) 323-4720 FAX NUMBER: (808) 327-3509 Department of Public Works, Building Division 7:45 AM to 4:30 weekdays. Closed First Friday, weekends, and holidays. http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/public-works-building Email: cohbuild@hawaiicounty.gov County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Guidelines include: Structural Evaluation Plans and Specifications Fees Documentation Inserts Structural Evaluation Worksheet Building Permit Worksheet Electrical Permit Application Exhibits A – Site Plan B – Standard Electrical Diagram C – Notes for Electrical Diagram PV Bulletin GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM STRUCTURAL EVALUATION The structural evaluation worksheet is to be completed by the applicant and attached to the drawings. Steps 1 and 2 of the evaluation worksheet is inserted with this booklet. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS A) Building 1) A location site plan showing the location of major structures on the property 1” = 20’ or larger is preferred. 2) A roof plan (scale 1”=8’) with PV arrays on dwellings with a 3' clear space along the roof ridge. a) Show array supports, framing members. b) Provide information on roof mounting structure(s) construction. c) Detail the module attachment method. Fasteners must not occur in roof framing beyond the exterior wall line without engineered calculations B) Electrical (See Exhibits A-C). 1) Location plan showing structures and their vicinity 1” = 20’ or larger is preferred. 2) Provide information on roof mounting systems. 3) A standard electrical diagram showing PV array configuration, wiring system, over current protection, inverter, disconnects, required markings or labels and AC connection to the building. 4) Provide specification sheets, and installation manuals for all manufactured components including, but not limited to PV modules, inverters, combiner box, and mounting system. These will be returned after the review. 5) The electrical diagram (E1.1) maybe used to accurately represent the PV system. FEES Calculate the fees for all the work to be performed on the electrical permit application and building permit worksheet. On the building permit worksheet, complete the “Estimated Valuation for all work to be performed.” Hawai‘i County Code, Chapter 9, Electricity Permit Division 2. Fees and Charges Section 9-40. Fee schedule. (q) Generators, Capacitors, Reactors, Transformers Fixed, and all other alternate energy power sources. For the purpose of this subsection, 1 kw is equivalent to 1 kva. Not more than 5 kw................................................................................................................ $10 Over 5 kw but not over 15 kw................................................................................................ $24 Over 15kw.............................................................................................................................. $40 GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM Hawai‘i County Code, Chapter 5, Building Permit Section 5-35. Table 1-A. TABLE 1-A – BUILDING PERMIT FEES Fees shall be as follows: $0 to $500 $10.00 $501 to $2,000 $10.00 for the first $500 plus $1.50 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000 $2,001 to $25,000 $32.50 for the first $2,000 plus $7.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000. $25,001 to $50,000 $205.00 for the first $25,000 plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000. $50,001 and up $355.00 for the first $50,000 plus $3.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. If a value is not provided the determination shall be made by the Building Official.1 DOCUMENTATION A) Include two sets of drawings of site plans stamped by an electrical engineer in accordance with HRS section 4442, and product submittals as required. B) Complete the building permit worksheet, and electrical permit application. C) Submit a check payable to the County Director of Finance for the required fees. Hawai‘i County Code, Chapter 9, Electricity, Section 9-33. Plans and specifications requirements; deviations. “(b) All photovoltaic systems for residential and non-residential installations shall require a building permit. Electrical design drawings and specifications shall bear the approval of an electrical engineer registered in the State of Hawai‘i. (c) No person shall materially deviate from any reviewed plan or specifications or fail, neglect or refuse to comply herewith, unless permission to do so has first been obtained from the electrical engineer on record. Revised drawings and or a letter approving such deviations shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction for review.” 1 Hawai‘i County Code, Chapter 5, Sec 5-31 2 Under the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes section 444 permits are issued to Hawai‘i State licensed building, electrical, or photovoltaic contractors. GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM SPAN TABLES3: A framing plan is required only if the combined weight of the PV array exceed 5 pounds per square foot (PSF or lbs/ ft2) or, the existing rafters are over-spanned. The following may help determine if the rafters are over-spanned. Use this table for rafter spans that have conventional lightweight dead loads. If there is a roof system that doesn’t fall within these tables consider obtaining the advice of a State of Hawaii registered professional Architect or Structural Engineer. 10 PSF Dead Load Roof live load= 20 psf, ceiling not attached to rafters, L/Δ= 180 Rafter Size 2 x 4 2 x 6 2 x 8 2 x 10 2 x 12 Spacing (inches) Species Grade The measurements below are in feet-inches (e.g. 9-10=9 feet, 10 inches) 16 Douglas Fir-larch #2 or better 9-10 14-4 18-2 22-3 25-9 24 Douglas Fir-larch #2 or better 8-0 11-9 14-10 18-2 21-0 Use this table for rafter spans with a ceiling attached, and conventional light dead loads 10 PSF Dead Load Roof live load= 20 psf, ceiling not attached to rafters, L/Δ= 240 Rafter Size 2 x 4 2 x 6 2 x 8 2 x 10 2 x 12 Spacing (inches) Species Grade The measurements below are in feet-inches (e.g. 9-10=9 feet, 10 inches) 16 Douglas Fir-larch #2 or better 8-11 14-1 18-2 22-3 25-9 24 Douglas Fir-larch #2 or better 7-10 11-9 14-10 18-2 21-0 If the roof system has: a. Over-spanned rafters or trusses, b. The array is over 5 lbs/ft2 on any roof construction, or c. The attachments with a dead load exceeds 45 lbs per attachment; It is required that you provide one of the following: I. A framing plan showing details how you will strengthen the rafters using the supplied span tables. 3 The Span Tables and Exhibits A-C were printed with permission from the Solar America Board of Codes & Standards. GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM EXPEDITED PERMIT PROCESS FOR PV SYSTEMS Exhibit A SAMPLE ONLY DO NOT SUBMIT WITH PLANS GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM EXPEDITED PERMIT PROCESS FOR PV SYSTEMS Exhibit B SAMPLE ONLY DO NOT SUBMIT WITH PLANS GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM EXPEDITED PERMIT PROCESS FOR PV SYSTEMS Exhibit C SAMPLE ONLY DO NOT SUBMIT WITH PLANS GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM