New System in San Diego need input

[sensij]

In San Diego, one new complication to keep in mind is that as of Jan 1, Class A fire rating for the PV system must be met for permit approval. No panel by itself will meet this rating, but installed systems can. This has put a burden of testing on the racking manufacturer, and many of the common brands will offer conditional certificates of compliance that can be attached to a permit application. Most panels are rated either Type 1 or Type 2, with Type 1 providing more options for mounting configurations. LG panels are type 2, which means that if you want to install them in a method other than flush to a steep (>2:12) roof, the racking options are more limited.

I don't know how reverse tilt is addressed with respect to fire safety, but some research into the racking and panel combinations that are allowed is probably worthwhile if the design is being seriously considered.

Information on rack and panel ratings has been collected by CALSEIA here, and may be a good starting point if you want to understand this in more detail.

Also, see in this thread from last year more discussion of the development of the fire safety requirement.

[J.P.M.]

A friend of mine has a neighbor down the street who's entire roof is covered by panels; flat mount, reverse mount and everything in between, all facing south. There are so many antennas on the property, I swear he must have shading issues from his his antenna farm! Kidding of course, but I bet his neighbors love him. When you have no HOA or wife, it's easy to choose function over form.

If they don't like it, they can always not look or seek relief through the legal system. I think flowers and shrubs imported from colder, cloudier climates such as the NE U.S. are inappropriate and silly in a desert climate but many of my neighbors cling to their rose bushes. Beauty is in the eye and life is not perfect. Sometimes folks might be better off if they just took a deep breath and lighten up a bit.

[ericf1]

That configuration is actually quite common in the rest of the civilized world outside of southern CA and some of the rest of the southwest. Honest ! it really does happen. Not all locations have the required space or orientation, but where possible, sane and cost effective, all one needs to do is design for it. It ain't that big of a deal. Costs a few bucks in material and a P .E. seal on the design, but there is no eleventh Commandment that says thou shalt only put panels parallel to the roof.

A friend of mine has a neighbor down the street who's entire roof is covered by panels; flat mount, reverse mount and everything in between, all facing south. There are so many antennas on the property, I swear he must have shading issues from his his antenna farm! Kidding of course, but I bet his neighbors love him. When you have no HOA or wife, it's easy to choose function over form.

[SoCalsolar]

Nothing Wrong With

Nothing wrong with reverse tilt as long as it points the right direction. I'm assuming when you say South West it is the direction the panels will face? Comp roof at 12 years in good shape and checked by a roofer, I would say is good to go as the panels will reduce the amount of UV and water that reach the portion under the array. Should extend the life of the roof in those areas. Most of the uncovered areas are likely not in areas with high intensity sun. Usually the caps are the first areas to go on a comp roof and the solar shouldn't have any possitive or negative effect on those.

[J.P.M.]

Normally, you see "reverse tilt" panels mounted on the north facing roof, so the panel faces south.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5991[/ATTACH]

That configuration is actually quite common in the rest of the civilized world outside of southern CA and some of the rest of the southwest. Honest ! it really does happen. Not all locations have the required space or orientation, but where possible, sane and cost effective, all one needs to do is design for it. It ain't that big of a deal. Costs a few bucks in material and a P .E. seal on the design, but there is no eleventh Commandment that says thou shalt only put panels parallel to the roof.

[ericf1]

What do you mean by reverse tilt ?

Normally, you see "reverse tilt" panels mounted on the north facing roof, so the panel faces south.

raycoproject_04a.jpg

[J.P.M.]

Does anybody have an opinion on a reverse solar tilt array. It will be on the southwest side of the roof

thanks

What do you mean by reverse tilt ?

[gboss]

Reverse tilt solar array

Does anybody have an opinion on a reverse solar tilt array. It will be on the southwest side of the roof

thanks

[silversaver]

I had the roof inspected and he said nothing wrong except may need some routine maintenance around the roof vents (Sealant). The roof is 12 years
old...What are your thoughts on keeping existing the roof? It has 30 year rated Asphalt Shingles and as i said is about 12 years old.

Thanks again

My roof is about 12 yrs old when I had solar installed. Had the roof inspected and nothing wrong, so I have done nothing. They are S Shape concrete tiles.

[gboss]

If the OP is still at 19,400 kWh/yr., Id suggest there's still got some wringing out to do in the conservation dept. None of my business/concern, but FYI, that usage is close to ~ 2X the ave. SDG & E residential customer.

When solar does happen, keep in mind rates, and thus bills are likely to drop this year as mentioned. Also, you have 2 tax years (2015 & 2016) to chew up any solar tax credits. Maybe it's tax planning time as well.

$3.00/Watt may be possible, but I'd suggest keeping in mind that paying too little for something may actually be worse in the long run than paying too much. Buy cheap, buy twice. If you are like the smart money, you want most bang for your buck, not low dollar.

A biggie: get your roof inspected/serviced before solar. You will not be sorry.

Take what you want/need of the above. Scrap the rest. No more than opinion anyway.

I had the roof inspected and he said nothing wrong except may need some routine maintenance around the roof vents (Sealant). The roof is 12 years
old...What are your thoughts on keeping existing the roof? It has 30 year rated Asphalt Shingles and as i said is about 12 years old.

Thanks again

[gboss]

Im getting lg300s at 3.37... Fyi

Sweet!!!!

Still pricing and gaining a lot of good information on this site.

Thank you all for the continuing education

[Gmoney!]

Nicely done. Now follow through w/project management.

will do...although will be hard when I have to work and they install..I will see if they can install on a weekend..otherwise id have to take a day or two off work. Gotta make sure those roof tiles are well taken care of and permits check out fine. I already contacted our city inspectors by email with some questions.

[J.P.M.]

Im getting lg300s at 3.37... Fyi

Nicely done. Now follow through w/project management.

[Gmoney!]

Im getting lg300s at 3.37... Fyi

[ButchDeal]

You'll have a lot better chance of $3.50/Watt or < with the lower Wattage LG panels, say of the 270 -290 Watt range. You'll need ~ 10% more panels but you'll probably pay less/Watt than for the 300's- 305's.

Also, unless you have real shade problems, many string inverters can handle more than one array(orientation). String inverters also generally cost less.

probably simplest would be to go with SolarEdge or micros for rapid shutdown and other code issues.