HomeMy WebLinkAboutPermitting a Residential PV system 062917
GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
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
This guideline is to assist applicants in the permit process for photovoltaic (PV) systems. To
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
the Flood Hazard Assessment Tool at
http://gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat/
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
is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7, Hilo, HI 96720
PHONE NUMBER: (808) 961-8331: FAX NUMBER: (808) 961-8410
W 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg E, 1st Floor, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
PHONE NUMBER: (808) 323-4720 FAX NUMBER: (808) 327-3509
Revised 10.10.12
GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
3425#452!, %6!,5!4)/.
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 !.$ SPECIFICATIONS
A) Building
1) A locationsite plan showing the location of major structures on the property
= er is preferred.
2) A roof plan () 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 =
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
Valuation for all work to be performed
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
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.
1
If a value is not provided the determination shall be made by the Building Official.
DOCUMENTATION
A) Include two sets of drawings of site plans stamped by an electrical engineer in
2
accordance with HRS section 444, 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.
-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
(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
, Chapter 5, Sec 5-31
2
es section 444 permits building, electrical, or photovoltaic contractors.
GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
3
30!. 4!",%3:
A framing plan is required only if the combined weight of the PV array exceed 5 pounds per
2
square foot (PSF or lbs/ ft) 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
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
Rafter Size 2 x 4 2 x 6 2 x 8 2 x 10 2 x 12
Spacing The measurements below are in feet-inches
Species Grade
(inches) (e.g. 9-10=9 feet, 10 inches)
Douglas #2 or
16 9-10 14-4 18-2 22-3 25-9
Fir-larch better
Douglas #2 or
24 8-0 11-9 14-10 18-2 21-0
Fir-larch better
Use this table for rafter spans with a ceiling attached, and conventional light dead loads
10 PSF Dead Load
Rafter Size 2 x 4 2 x 6 2 x 8 2 x 10 2 x 12
Spacing The measurements below are in feet-inches
Species Grade
(inches) (e.g. 9-10=9 feet, 10 inches)
Douglas #2 or
16 8-11 14-1 18-2 22-3 25-9
Fir-larch better
Douglas #2 or
24 7-10 11-9 14-10 18-2 21-0
Fir-larch better
If the roof system has:
a. Over-spanned rafters or trusses,
2
b. The array is over 5 lbs/ft 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
SAMPLE ONLY
DO NOT SUBMIT WITH PLANS
E XPEDITED P ERMIT P ROCESS FOR PV S YSTEMS Exhibit A
GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
SAMPLE ONLY
DO NOT SUBMIT WITH PLANS
E XPEDITED P ERMIT P ROCESS FOR PV S YSTEMS Exhibit B
GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
SAMPLE ONLY
DO NOT SUBMIT WITH PLANS
E XPEDITED P ERMIT P ROCESS FOR PV S YSTEMS Exhibit C
GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING A RESIDENTIAL
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
Frank DeMarco
Harry Kim
Director
Mayor
Allan Simeon
Wil Okabe
Deputy Director
Managing Director
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Aupuni Center
-4224
(808) 961-8321 · Fax (808) 961-8630
www.co.hawaii.hi.us
Bulletin No:
Date: June 8, 2017
Code/ Edition: 2008 National Electric Code (NEC)
Subject: PV Electrical Review
The following is a list of design requirements that are most easily overlooked in the design
phase.
A) Ambient Conditions
1) Module Open Circuit Voltage NEC 690.7
i)
for the standard test conditions. When the temperature decreases, the module
voltage increases, this increase poses the greatest issue with maximum string
lengths, and maximum voltage input on the inverter. As the temperature increases,
the module voltage decreases, and may not create a high enough voltage to turn on
the inverter.
2) Rooftop conductor de-rate NEC Table 310.15(B)(2)(c)
i) Depending on the conduit height above the roof, the conductors will be subject to a
de-rate.
3) Conduit Expansion NEC Table 352.44
i) PVC conduit subject to a change in temperature will expand and contract as the
temperature changes.
B) Warning Labels
1) Labels and Marking - NEC 690.5(C)
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD
IF A GROUND FAULT IS INDICATED
NORMALLY GROUNDED CONDUCTORS
MAY BE UNGROUNDED AND ENERGIZED
2) Bipolar Source and Output Circuits NEC 690.7(E)
and Employer.
WARNING
BIPOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY.
DISCONNECTION OF NEUTRAL
OR GROUNDED CONDUCTORS
MAY RESULT IN OVERVOLTAGE
ON ARRAY OR INVERTER.
3) Single 120-Volt Supply NEC 690.10(C)
WARNING
SINGLE 120-VOLT SUPPLY. DO NOT CONNECT
MULTIWIRE BRANCH CIRCUITS!
4) Switch or Circuit Breaker NEC 690.17
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD.
DO NOT TOUCH TERMINALS.
TERMINALS ON BOTH THE LINE
AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED
IN THE OPEN POSITION.
5) Ungrounded Photovoltaic Power Systems NEC 690.35(F)
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD.
THE DC CONDUCTORS OF THIS
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM ARE UNGROUNDED
AND MAY BE ENERGIZED.
6) Modules NEC 690.51
i) Modules shall be marked with identification of terminals or leads as to polarity,
maximum overcurrent device rating for module protection, and with the following
ratings:
(1) Open-circuit voltage
(2) Operating voltage
(3) Maximum permissible system voltage
(4) Operating current
(5) Short-circuit current
(6) Maximum power
7) Alternating-Current Photovoltaic Modules NEC 690.52
i) Alternating-current modules shall be marked with identification of terminals or leads
and with identification of the following ratings:
(1) Nominal operating ac voltage
(2) Nominal operating frequency
(3) Maximum ac power
(4) Maximum ac current
(5) Maximum overcurrent device rating for ac module protection
8) Direct Current Photovoltaic Power Source NEC 690.53
i) A permanent label for the direct-current photovoltaic power source indicating items
(1) through (5) shall be provided by the installer at the photovoltaic disconnecting
means:
(1) Rated maximum power-point current
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
(2) Rated maximum power-point voltage
(3) Maximum system voltage
(4) Short-circuit current
(5) Maximum rated output current of the charge controller (if installed)
9) Interactive System Point of Interconnection. All interactive system(s) points of
interconnection with other sources shall be marked at an accessible location at the
disconnecting means as a power source and with the rated ac output current and the
nominal operating voltage. NEC 690.54
10) Photovoltaic Power Systems Employing Energy Storage. Photovoltaic power
systems employing energy storage shall also be marked with the maximum operating
voltage, including any equalization voltage and the polarity of the grounded circuit
conductor. NEC 690.55
11) Identification of Power Sources NEC 690.56
i) Facilities with Stand-Alone Systems NEC 690.56(A). Any structure or building
with a photovoltaic power system that is not connected to a utility service source and
is a stand-alone systems shall have a permanent plaque or directory installed on the
exterior of the building or structure at a readily visible location of the building or
structure at a readily visible location acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
The plaque or directory shall indicate the location of system disconnecting means
and that the structure contains a stand-alone electrical power system.
ii) Facilities with Utility Services and PV Systems NEC 690.56(B). Buildings or
structures with both utility service and a photovoltaic system shall have a permanent
plaque or directory providing the location of the service disconnecting means and the
photovoltaic system disconnecting means if not located at the same location.
12) Inverter Output Connection NEC 690.64(7)
WARNING
INVERTER OUTPUT CONNECTION
DO NOT RELOCATE
THIS OVERCURRENT DEVICE
C) Backfed Circuit Breakers
1) Suitable for backfeed. Circuit breakers, if backfed, shall be suitable for such operation.
NEC 690-64(B)(5)
D) Equipment Locations
1) The location of all PV equipment shall be located in plan view, any roof mounted
equipment shall be indicated as such.
E) Equipment Specification Sheets
1) Provide all PV equipment specification sheets for verification of calculations.
2) Provide manufacturers recommended mounting instructions.
Brandon Pearsall
Electrical Engineer, PE
brandon.pearsall@hawaiicounty.gov
Issued by: David Yamamoto, Building Divisino Chief
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.