SCE contractor confusion - only 8 panels would fit but neighbor has 26 LG panels

[4sallypat]

In addition to possibly being built under different rules, you may have skylights, plumbing vents, heating vents/chimneys, bathroom vent pipes, etc. in different locations that make it more difficult to fit panels on the roof.

And it looks like they aren't trying very hard to fit more panels on the roof anyhow.

Looking at the diagram I am *guessing* that you have some skylights - the one on the south-west facing roof being right in between the two pairs of panels, probably making it so you can fit only 4 there instead of 6.

When I did my installation, I talked to the fire department to get permission for where I wanted my panels to be - it didn't meet the 3' setback everywhere *(or even the 18" setback that there is now) - BUT it was still enough space at the ridges for cutting vents in case of a fire, and paths to get up onto the roof.

So I would talk to your fire department and building permit office - see what the requirements really are.

And I'd look at what you have for things coming through the roof - sometimes you can re-route things like plumbing vents in the attic without too much problem and fit more panels on the roof.

Also I'd contact your neighbor's installer. (And if it was some big company that subcontracts installation to smaller local companies, I'd talk to the smaller local company first (maybe only them and not the big national chain if that's what it was))

Yes, thank you for your time analyzing my roof.

I have an appointment with the neighbor's installer to see what they can do.

Will let you know what #2 installer says.

[reader2580]

I talked to the local fire chief about solar panels on the roof of my detached garage. He said they don't vent detached garages so I could put the panels edge to edge which is what I did.

[foo1bar]

My neighbor next door has the same house (3 story HOA) and has 26 LG panels.

...
So why the difference?

In addition to possibly being built under different rules, you may have skylights, plumbing vents, heating vents/chimneys, bathroom vent pipes, etc. in different locations that make it more difficult to fit panels on the roof.

And it looks like they aren't trying very hard to fit more panels on the roof anyhow.

Looking at the diagram I am *guessing* that you have some skylights - the one on the south-west facing roof being right in between the two pairs of panels, probably making it so you can fit only 4 there instead of 6.

When I did my installation, I talked to the fire department to get permission for where I wanted my panels to be - it didn't meet the 3' setback everywhere *(or even the 18" setback that there is now) - BUT it was still enough space at the ridges for cutting vents in case of a fire, and paths to get up onto the roof.

So I would talk to your fire department and building permit office - see what the requirements really are.

And I'd look at what you have for things coming through the roof - sometimes you can re-route things like plumbing vents in the attic without too much problem and fit more panels on the roof.

Also I'd contact your neighbor's installer. (And if it was some big company that subcontracts installation to smaller local companies, I'd talk to the smaller local company first (maybe only them and not the big national chain if that's what it was))

[J.P.M.]

I do wonder if contractors are in tune and up to date with changes in building code.....

Don't wonder. They do know. If they plead ignorance, you don't want to deal with them. They're B.S.'ing you or so uniformed as to be dangerous.

[4sallypat]

Those are 3 foot setbacks so fireman have a pathway to ventilate your roof should you have a fire.
If your Rural you don't have that worry by the time the volunteer fire dept gets there they will be able to save the foundation, roof will be long gone.

Ah, I get it and understand the reasoning for the 3' setbacks.

I do wonder if contractors are in tune and up to date with changes in building code.....

[Ampster]

........

Any feedback on SunLux ?

No, but I would start with asking you neighbor about them. You do need to find several others instead of your "SCE Contractor". Just speculating, but maybe SCE likes him because he puts minimum system which means less revenue hit for SCE.

[4sallypat]

See my 06/24/2022, 0730 hrs. post.

Yes i saw that earlier post and thank you but dismissed it since my next door neighbor got his 26 panels installed about 6 months ago.

This SCE contractor is obvious to me that they are using outdated code.

My neighbor said his installer (SunLux) had installed 26 LG panels at 0.9% for 20 years which was a great deal IMO.

Now LG is no longer being sold ? And the rising rates makes it tough to finance it..

I am going to ask my neighbor's installer what they have.

Any feedback on SunLux ?

[J.P.M.]

You also may have to use smaller panels. What size are quoted panels?
What city are you in?

Most panels in use are pretty close to the same size, approx. 1.6 m^2, or ~ 1m X 1.6 m or so.

[J.P.M.]

Yes, California.
This might be it!
Might explain why my neighbor had 26 panels installed and my nearly identical roof can only get 8,

See my 06/24/2022, 0730 hrs. post.

[Kev]

You also may have to use smaller panels. What size are quoted panels?
What city are you in?

[Kev]

Below are 2 references that may help you.
My understanding is that you only need one 3' path on the plane that solar is installed on if the adjoining plane provides the 2nd 3' pathway.

http://www.sandiegosolarpermits.com/roof-setbacks-for-residential-solar-systems/

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/CFC2019P2/chapter-12-energy-systems#CFC2019P2_Pt03_Ch12_Sec1204

[4sallypat]

If you are in California the 3 foot setback from the peak was changed in 2018 to 18" . Some contractors still use 3 ft

Yes, California.
This might be it!
Might explain why my neighbor had 26 panels installed and my nearly identical roof can only get 8,

[4sallypat]

Your neighbor probably installed his array before the 3-foot setback rule went into effect. You are a poster child example of how impactful this rule can be.
Architects for many years now have been designing houses (like yours) with roofs that are all divided up into small areas making them unsuitable for solar because of this 3-foot rule.
It is kind of ironic how the "fire" services have implemented this rule in the National Electric Code to improve their safety, but the effect of it will be to hamper solar PV adoption and exacerbate climate change leading to more wild fires etc.
Some of my local fire marshals have told me they don't even let their firemen on roofs anymore because of the general danger involved and they don't even care about the 3 foot solar array access rule. But because it is in the Code and insurance companies now hold cities accountable as to whether they enforce the latest Code - they rarely grant an exemption to this rule.
I don't understand why fire marshals and the code are not more accommodating to solar and allow an array to completely cover a south facing roof as long as the north roof has a good access.
One of my favorite lines from the movie Apollo 13 is when Jim Lovell's comment on Ken Mattingly getting bumped from the moon mission due to dubious medical concerns was "this is flight surgeon horse****"

My neighbor got his installed in late 2021 (6 months ago).
Was his install not fire code approved ???

[Ampster]

I would also be dubious of any contractor calling themselves a "SCE Contractor". I have had three solar installs in Southern California Edison territory and never heard any Contractors referred to in that fashion.

[Kev]

If you are in California the 3 foot setback from the peak was changed in 2018 to 18" . Some contractors still use 3 ft