Total Solar Resource Fraction

[solarix]

Our utility here, used to have a chart showing how they would decrease your rebate incentive if the array was not optimal. Then they ditched the chart - and as one utility engineer told me: "as long as you mount them right side up - we don't care"! Now of course, they've ended the rebate program and do their best to obstruct us on red tape and are trying to bring in solar taxes.

[J.P.M.]

Sort of related... California's Solar Rights Act prevents an HOA from requiring changes to an installation that would reduce the efficiency by more than 10%.

See section 714(d)(1)

Or add > $1K to the price. But that is on the array/solar portion, and excludes things such as creating requirements relating to maint./repair/replacement of roofsor other building components affected by solar installations. See 714.1(c). Some other restrictions on solar energy systems also apply despite the cost and efficiency provisions imposed by the Solar Rights Act. It's probably a good law, but not the blank check for solar as a lot of vendors claim.

[Philippeberard]

Volta Ware

That's a nice #, but, at least as far as I know, most other authorities stupping money for solar don't use it. More solar arrays would be more cost effective if more rebating agencies used similar criteria.

As used, it seems it's actually a way to restrict array orientation(s) to those orientations that have a better chance of getting close to making some economic sense.

Equator facing, tilted at close to local latitude is usually a good first approx. for a good orientation.

FWIW, Seems a good way to protect solar ignorant potential users from being quite so screwed by unscrupulous vendors.

I know - big gov. getting in the way of people's right to do what they want - big brother stomping on my rights to do stupid stuff.

So be it. Do dumb stuff all you want - just don't expect some gov. tit to sanction it by using more public money for bad designs that perform poorly due to insanely stupid orientations.

Thanks it's right.