Solar Patio Covers, Looking For a Partner!

[JoeWood]

I guess that they aren't enforcing the NFPA1 here in San Diego. I just asked my client if it was an issue during permitting, and he said
"It was not mentioned or asked about.They did check where my house was located to determine if I fell into a "fire hazard" zone. If I had, then additional requirements would apply".

darn, I was ready to start this patio cover this week!, but found out he's putting it on hold now because he's concerned about the glare it'll put on his neighbors house ..

[inetdog]

Not to worry about the trespassers. I have a bunch of claymores set up so they will never get close to the pv array to get electrocuted.

Watch out that you do not accidentally get the inspector. That could have some really bad fallout.

[SunEagle]

There have been a couple of threads in this and other forums complaining about the inspector/AHJ requiring a fence for a PV system which was located in a fenced field where nobody but the owner was supposed to have access. Have to protect the trespassers too.

Not to worry about the trespassers. I have a bunch of claymores set up so they will never get close to the pv array to get electrocuted.

[inetdog]

Makes sense. Safety first.

I just never thought about putting a fence around a ground mounted system or have even seen them in some of the videos showing the installation. But like a pool you must keep out the non thinkers to protect them.

There have been a couple of threads in this and other forums complaining about the inspector/AHJ requiring a fence for a PV system which was located in a fenced field where nobody but the owner was supposed to have access. Have to protect the trespassers too.

[SunEagle]

Yes. The panels themselves and the DC or AC wiring needs to be out of reach. You can mount them lower only if you fence off the area and keep people out. This would be problem for a patio.
I suppose you could just enclose all of the wiring, but the inspector may not approve that.

Makes sense. Safety first.

I just never thought about putting a fence around a ground mounted system or have even seen them in some of the videos showing the installation. But like a pool you must keep out the non thinkers to protect them.

[inetdog]

I don't currently own a copy of the NFPA1-2012 code. Why is there an 8' rule required for a solar pv system mounted on a patio cover as opposed to a pole or ground mounted system? Does it have to do with proximity of people?

Yes. The panels themselves and the DC or AC wiring needs to be out of reach. You can mount them lower only if you fence off the area and keep people out. This would be problem for a patio.
I suppose you could just enclose all of the wiring, but the inspector may not approve that.

[SunEagle]

Correct it is for the electrical part.
Next up refers to getting the electrical permit.
That is where the 8' rule will come into play.
If they are enforcing NFPA1-2012 there will be other issues like a non flammable ground cover extending out 10' around the array etc.
But a bigger question is you are in California. Why is the owner getting the permit? That throws all responsibility for design and construction on them and If I remember correctly you could have your license if you have one pulled.

I don't currently own a copy of the NFPA1-2012 code. Why is there an 8' rule required for a solar pv system mounted on a patio cover as opposed to a pole or ground mounted system? Does it have to do with proximity of people?

[cogsci]

There are
Schletter makes a number of them and there are other manufacturers also

Schletter looks interesting, There systems are often cantilevered and built in ways that may be attractive (depending on taste), but it would seem to me that something that had a basic structure like a simple 4 post barn, would be much cheaper/easier to construct and install.

I've since found Phat makes them as well. Are there any others that you can think of?

Thanks!

[cogsci]

There are
Schletter makes a number of them and there are other manufacturers also

Schletter looks interesting, I've since found Phat makes them as well. Are there any others that you can think of?

Thanks!

[Naptown]

as someone who has been in the market for something like this, it is crazy that there are no good prefab options already out there.

There are
Schletter makes a number of them and there are other manufacturers also

[Naptown]

What is the 8' rule you mentioned Rich? For the solar/ electrical part? It got approved is what matters and we have pretty strict codes down here.

sorry, I don't understand "Next up is electrical where that matters"

Correct it is for the electrical part.
Next up refers to getting the electrical permit.
That is where the 8' rule will come into play.
If they are enforcing NFPA1-2012 there will be other issues like a non flammable ground cover extending out 10' around the array etc.
But a bigger question is you are in California. Why is the owner getting the permit? That throws all responsibility for design and construction on them and If I remember correctly you could have your license if you have one pulled.

[JoeWood]

What is the 8' rule you mentioned Rich? For the solar/ electrical part? It got approved is what matters and we have pretty strict codes down here.

sorry, I don't understand "Next up is electrical where that matters"

[Naptown]

That doesn't fall under the building code.
Next up is electrical where that matters

[JoeWood]

Yeah Cog, crazy, I agree, and that's the reason I'm trying to get this going. Seems like there would be a nice market for solar patio covers, both prefab, and what I'm hoping for, custom ones

even crazier is that no one has contacted me about this, about partnering with me!

my first customer for a solar design and plans, just recently pulled the permit and I've given a price to build it. Keeping my fingers crossed I made up two 3' x 2' plans pages, here's page 1.

My customer said-
Joe,
I finally got the chance to take the plans by the County for the official permit request. It took over 6 hours but I was able to get the permit. I will tell you that the inspector doing the structural review was very impressed with your drawings and detail.

Naptown, the San Diego Bldg Dept didn't say anything about an 8' rule, maybe that's true in your location? You had me worried there for awhile.

[cogsci]

as someone who has been in the market for something like this, it is crazy that there are no good prefab options already out there.