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Home My WebLink AboutSubmittal Requirements Bulletin Solar PV Less Than 10kW1 This information bulletin is published to guide applicants through a streamlined permit- ting process for qualifying small rooftop residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less. This bulletin provides information about submittal requirements, plan review, fees, and provides a general summary of mandatory field inspections. The definition of “qualifying small residential rooftop solar systems” is all of the follow- ing: 1. Required Approvals The following approvals and permits are required to install a small rooftop residential PV system with a maximum power output of 10 kW or less: Planning Department approval is required at the time of plan review submittal. Please coor- dinate directly at (760) 776-6483. Fire Marshall approval is not required for small residential rooftop systems at this time. Building Department approval in the issuance of a Photovoltaic System Permit is required to install or modify a new or existing solar photovoltaic system. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS MINIMUM SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS (Small Residential Rooftop Systems—10kw or less) CITY OF PALM DESERT Building & Safety Department I N F O R M A T I O N A L B U L L E T I N Revised 09/22/15 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Phone: (760) 776-6420 Fax: (760) 776-6392 www.cityofpalmdesert.org A solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current name- plate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City and paragraph (iii) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time A solar energy system that is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling (Must be a permitted roof structure) A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the City of Palm Desert No main service or subpanel electrical upgrades or relocations New installations only (Additions or alteration are through regular plan review time- lines) 2 2. Building Permit Application Form A permit application can be obtained in person or downloaded from the Department’s website at: www.cityofpalmdesert.org 3. Eligibility Checklist An eligibility checklist for expedited and standardized permitting is provided and can be downloaded at the Department's website or obtained in person. If your project does not meet this criteria, standard plan review timetables apply. Please consult a licensed designed professional or licensed contractor for further details for submitting a comprehensive photovoltaic plan. 4. Project Submittal All projects can be submitted in person at: City of Palm Desert Department of Building and Safety 73-510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert , California 92260 (760)776-6420 (760) 776-6392 (Fax) Electronic / Mail / Fax Submittals 5. Plan Review Timeframes: All qualifying small residential photovoltaic plan reviews are expedited to seven (7) to ten (10) working days from the date of project submittal. All necessary follow up reviews occur within seven (7) working days. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTSSUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTSSUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS September 22 ,2015 Qualifying Small Rooftop SystemsQualifying Small Rooftop SystemsQualifying Small Rooftop Systems Electronic and mailed photovoltaic project submittals are accepted and will only be reviewed when all plan check fees have been received and processed. Once processed, the project will be placed in the queue and reviewed Building and Safety does not print, prepare, or collate plans for permit issuance. The applicant must provide at the time of or before permit issuance, all printed plans and supporting documentation All electronic plans and supporting documentation must be in PDF format All qualifying small rooftop photovoltaic projects can be submitted electronically: building@ci.palm-desert.ca.us 3 6. Plan Review and Permit Fees Plan Review Fees are $203. Permit Fees are approximately $266 depending on archiving materials. 7. Minimum Plan Set Requirements Number of Plans Provide two (2) complete sets of photovoltaic plans (Minimum 11”X17” to Maximum of 24”X36”). Include a separate Site and Roof Layout Plan for the Riverside County Assessor’s Office. Site Plan Provide a fully dimensional site plan showing property lines, all structures, and the location of the main elec- trical service, all photovoltaic inverters and disconnects, etc. Roof Plan Provide a roof plan showing the location of the photovoltaic panels and the required setbacks. Include all walkways to roof mounted equipment (including any roof mounted heating and air conditioning equipment, etc.). Roof plans should also identify the size and spacing of the existing roof framing members and the slope of the roof plus any required roof framing alterations needed. In addition, demonstrate the required clear path access pathways as required by the State Fire Marshal’s Of- fice. You can find these clearances at: http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/pdf/photovoltaics/solarphotovoltaicguideline.pdf Attachment Details Provide an attachment detail demonstrating how the photovoltaic panels and array will be secured to the racking system and roof structure. Product Specifications and Literature Provide all manufacturer’s specifications on all inverters, solar panels, combiner and disconnect boxes and solar panel anchorage system to be used. Signage Specifications Provide a legend showing locations and wording of all required signs or placards at various photovoltaic system components. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTSSUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTSSUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS September 22, 2015 Qualifying Small Rooftop Systems Qualifying Small Rooftop Systems Qualifying Small Rooftop Systems 4 Location of main service or utility disconnectLocation of main service or utility disconnectLocation of main service or utility disconnect Total number of modules, number of modules per string and the total number of stringsTotal number of modules, number of modules per string and the total number of stringsTotal number of modules, number of modules per string and the total number of strings Make and model of inverter(s) and/or combiner box if usedMake and model of inverter(s) and/or combiner box if usedMake and model of inverter(s) and/or combiner box if used Single Line Diagram of systemSingle Line Diagram of systemSingle Line Diagram of system Specify grounding/bonding, conductor type and size, conduit type and size and number of conductors in Specify grounding/bonding, conductor type and size, conduit type and size and number of conductors in Specify grounding/bonding, conductor type and size, conduit type and size and number of conductors in each section of conduiteach section of conduiteach section of conduit If batteries are to be installed, include them in the diagram and show their locations and ventingIf batteries are to be installed, include them in the diagram and show their locations and ventingIf batteries are to be installed, include them in the diagram and show their locations and venting Equipment cut sheets including inverters, modules, AC and DC disconnects, combiners and wind generatorsEquipment cut sheets including inverters, modules, AC and DC disconnects, combiners and wind generatorsEquipment cut sheets including inverters, modules, AC and DC disconnects, combiners and wind generators Labeling of equipment as required by CEC, Sections 690 and 705Labeling of equipment as required by CEC, Sections 690 and 705Labeling of equipment as required by CEC, Sections 690 and 705 Site diagram showing the arrangement of panels on the roof or ground, north arrow, lot dimensions and the Site diagram showing the arrangement of panels on the roof or ground, north arrow, lot dimensions and the Site diagram showing the arrangement of panels on the roof or ground, north arrow, lot dimensions and the distance from property lines to adjacent buildings/structures (existing and proposed)distance from property lines to adjacent buildings/structures (existing and proposed)distance from property lines to adjacent buildings/structures (existing and proposed) Standard Electrical Plan A standard generic electrical plan may be used for proposed solar installations of 10kW in size or smaller and can be downloaded within the City’s website. All submittals must be signed by a C-10 (Electrical Con- tractor) or C-46 (Solar Contractor) or licensed design professional. Electrical Plans should include the follow- ing: Expedited Structural Criteria with Supporting Documentation A Structural Criteria Checklist can be downloaded at Department’s website or obtained in person. All pro- jects not within the scope of this structural criteria may require a licensed design professional justification. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTSSUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTSSUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS September 22, 2015 Qualifying Small Rooftop Systems Qualifying Small Rooftop Systems Qualifying Small Rooftop Systems For non-qualifying systems, provide structural drawings and calculations stamped and signed by a licensed designed professional along with the following information: The type of roof covering and the number of roof coverings installed Type of roof framing, size of members and spacing Weight of panels, support locations and method of attachment Framing plan and details for any work necessary to strengthen the existing roof structure Site-specific structural calculations Where an approved racking system is used, provide documentation showing manufacturer of the rack system, maximum allowable weight the system can support, attachment method to the roof or ground and product evaluation information or structural design for the rack system As a references, the Solar Structural Technical Appendix hyperlink is provided: http://www.opr.ca.gov/docs/Solar_Structural_Technical_Appendix.pdf. 5 Once a photovoltaic system permit has been issued and the system has been installed, it must be inspected before final approval is granted. Inspections are required to be scheduled twenty-four (24) hours in advance at: (760) 776- 6420 Monday through Friday (8AM to 4PM) Same day inspection are not provided. Qualifying small rooftop PV systems will be inspected in one (1) site visit. If this inspection does not pass, subsequent inspections will not conform to the one inspection policy per the California Solar Initiative AB2188. Permit holders must be prepared to show conformance with all technical requirements in the field at the time of in- spection. The inspector will verify that the installation is in conformance with applicable code requirements and with the approved plans. An OSHA approved ladder must be provided by the contractor of record or property owner at the time of inspection. FIELD INSPECTIONSFIELD INSPECTIONSFIELD INSPECTIONS September 22 ,2015 Qualifying Small Rooftop SystemsQualifying Small Rooftop SystemsQualifying Small Rooftop Systems Here are some common points of inspection you should be prepared to show:Here are some common points of inspection you should be prepared to show:Here are some common points of inspection you should be prepared to show: NumbNumbNumbeeerrr ooofff PPPVVV mmmoooddduuulelelesss aaannnddd mmmooodddeeelll nnnuuummmbbbeeerrr mmmaaatctctchhh ppplllananansss aaannnddd ssspppeeeciciciffficicicaaatttiiiooonnn shshsheeeetetetsss nnnuuummmbbbeeerrr mmmaaatctctchhh ppplllananans s s aaannnddd ssspppeeeciciciffficicicaaatttiiiooonnn shshsheeeetsetsets AAArrrrrraaayyy cccooonnnddduuuccctttooorrrsss aaannnddd cccooommmpppooonnneeennntttsss aaarrreee iiinnnssstaltaltalllleeeddd iiinnn aaa nnneeeaaattt aaannnddd wwwooorrrkkkmmmaaannn---llliiikkkeee mmmaaannnnnneeerrr PPPVVV aaarrrrrraaayyy iiisss propropropppeeerrrlllyyy gggrororouuunnndddeeeddd... EEElllectrectrectricicicaaalll bbboooxxxeeesss aaarrreee acceacceaccessssssiiibbbllleee aaannnddd cccooonnnnnneeeccctttiiiooonnns s s aaarrre e e sssuuuiiitttababable le le fffooor er er ennnvvviiirororonnnmmmeeennnttt AAArrrrrraaayyy iiisss fffastastasteeennneeeddd aaannnddd ssseaeaeallleeeddd accaccaccororordididinnnggg tttooo aaattttttaaaccchhhmmmeeennnttt dededetttaaaiiilll CCCooonnnddduuuccctttororor’’’sss rrraaatttiiinnngggsss aaannnddd sizesizesizesss mmmaaatctctchhh ppplllananansss AAApproppproppproprrriiiaaattteee sisisigggnnnsss aaarrreee propropropppeeerrrlylyly cccooonnnssstttrrruuucccttteeeddd,,, iiinnnssstaltaltalllleeed,d,d, aaannnddd dddisisisppplllaaayyyeeeddd Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required at Final InspectionSmoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required at Final InspectionSmoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required at Final Inspection 6 QUICK TIPS FOR CONTRACTORS & PROPERTY OWNERS WHEN APPLYING FOR A PERMIT Permit applicants can save time and money by following these tips. Take time to review permit requirements of the local jurisdiction Permitting rules and processes differ among different cities and counties. Understanding all local requirements will allow permit applicants to submit a complete and accurate permit ap- plication packet the first time. • Contact the local electric utility early in the permitting process (solar PV installations) Local electric utilities have a completely separate approval process from the local jurisdic- tion’s permitting process. Some electric utilities may require that the solar project be re- viewed before the local jurisdiction issues a building permit. Pursuing utility approval early in the permit process enables the solar PV system to become operational as soon as possi- ble. Make sure that the solar installation that is built matches the submitted plans The on-site inspector will verify that the installation aligns with proposed plans and any changes may require corrections and additional inspections. QUICK TIPSQUICK TIPSQUICK TIPS September 22 ,2015 Qualifying Small Rooftop SystemsQualifying Small Rooftop SystemsQualifying Small Rooftop Systems