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Permits are issued by city or county building departments under the authority of the AHJ. A permit is permission from the AHJ that authorizes construction work to begin and establishes the inspection requirements, but does not represent an approval of compliance with codes and standards. Permits are generally required for all electrical work, including the installation of PV systems. Few exceptions apply. The basic recommendations for electrical permits are given in the NEC, but some jurisdictions may require a special permit ting process for PV systems. Differences in requirements may depend on the location and size of the system to be installed. Where an AHJ governs both code compliance and utility systems, permitting and utility interconnection applications may be combined. In other cases, separate AHJ permits and inspections are required for utility interconnection approval. Proper documentation for PV system installations is essential to working with the AHJ and facilitates the permitting, plans review, inspection, and processes. Since PV systems are relatively new and many code officials are not familiar with their requirements, comprehensive documentation is particularly important for permitting and inspections. Permit Applications Permits are applied for by either the property owner or the owner's contractor. Permit applications require certain information about the scope and specifications of the work, typically including the construction tasks, location, permit applicant, expiration date, and inspection requirements. In most cases, three copies of all construction plans are submitted for review. Permit applications for PV systems should contain site drawings, electrical diagrams, specifications for major components and equipment, and array mounting information. This documentation is the basis for the plans review and subsequent on-site inspections. Site Drawings. A simple drawing of the site layout should indicate the locations of major PV system components including the array, inverter, and disconnects, and their relation ships to electrical services, property lines, streets, and other features. A property survey or plot plan can be used as a starting point for marking the locations of PY equipment. Drawings prepared during the site survey and planning stages of the project may be used if they include all required information and the equipment locations are up to date. Electrical Diagram. At a minimum, a PV permit application should include a one-line electrical diagram. Three-line electrical diagrams provide additional detail. These drawings should show all major system components and their interconnections with existing electrical equipment. The types, sizes, and ratings of the conductors, overcurrent protection devices, disconnects, and grounding equipment used throughout the PV system should also be provided on the diagrams or included with other permit submittals. Permit applications will typically require descriptions and drawings of the array mounting system. For most large commercial installations, complete construction drawings with an engineer's stamp are required. Many packaged PV systems offered by major integrators include detailed diagrams and equipment specifications, eliminating the installation contractor's burden to produce such materials for permit applications. Equipment Specifications. Permit applications should include specifications for all major components, including the manufacturer, ratings, operating parameters, and listing information. This includes PV modules, inverters, charge controllers, and batteries, as applicable. This information is needed to determine if the equipment is appropriate and if conductors, overcurrent protection devices, and disconnects have been adequately sized. Equipment specifications are available from the manufacturer's equipment manuals, labels, or downloadable information sheets. The permit application should be accompanied by either a comprehensive list of equipment specifications or a collection of product literature. Summarized and key equipment specifications may also be included on the electrical diagrams in addition to the full set of specifications. --4. Site drawings should be provided with permit applications indicating locations and pro viding descriptions of major components. == --5. Permit applications usually require either a one-line or a three-line electrical diagram. Additional electrical in formation may be included as a separate document. MAIN AC POWER DISTRIBUTION PANEL ¾" EMT CONDUIT FOR 3 x #10 AWG TI-IWN CONDUCTORS (APPROX. 75') AC UTILITY SERVICE-\PV ARRAY (2 STRINGS x 6 MODULES x 140W EACH MODULE) DC DISCONNECT INVERTER -UTILITY ACCESSIBLE DISCONNECT ONE-LINE DIAGRAM UTILITY SERVICE ENTRANCE PV ARRAY (2 STRINGS x 6 MODULES x 140W EACH MODULE) THREE-LINE DIAGRAM UTILITY ACCESSIBLE DISCONNECT MAIN AC POWER DISTRIBUTION PANEL- == Array Mounting Design. Most permit applications for PV systems require descriptions and/or drawings of the array mounting design and materials to ensure that the roof or structure can support the additional weight of the PV array and that the array will be well secured. Roof information includes the age, composition, covering, pitch, and the size and spacing of structural members. Array information includes details about weight, attachment points, and weather sealing. Some AHJs require complete engineering reviews to verify that the structure and the attachment points have sufficient strength for the expected loads, particularly for large installations, unusual mounting schemes, or regions with high winds. --6. Specifications for PV modules, inverters, and other equipment are required for code calculations and compliance. == PV MODULE HOLD-DOWN CLAMP-ALUMINUM MOUNTING RAIL 2 x 6 ROOF RAFTER (SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE) 3 1" STAINLESS STEEL HEX BOLTS s/a" ROOF DECK > / THICKNESS- POLYURETHANE SEALANT ALUMINUM L-BRACKET ½" x 3½" LAG SCREW --7. Descriptions and drawings of the array mounting design and materials are used to analyze the structural integrity of the structure and the array. == Permit Fees Fees are assessed for permit applications to offset the costs of administering the code enforcement system. Permit fees for PV systems may be determined in a variety of ways. Valuation-based fees are calculated according to the total installed cost of a system. Some AHJs assess fees based on the number of PV modules or the required engineering review and inspection services. The flat-fee method applies the same permit fee for a wide range of system sizes or costs. These factors result in significant differences in permit fees from one AHJ to another. Permit fees for a medium- sized interactive residential PV system can range from $90 to thousands dollars. Low permit fees for PV systems are associated with progressive AHJs with PV-knowledge Plans Review A plans review is an evaluation of system- design documentation as part of the permitting process. The AHJ's plans reviewer is visible for reviewing construction documents and drawings for any new construction or alterations to electrical systems. They must conduct this review in a reasonable timeframe and, if plans are not approved, provide reasons for nonacceptance. Corrected plans can then be resubmitted. Permit applications list materials and documentation required for plans review. The applicant has the responsibility of providing applicable construction documents in accordance with governing codes and regulations. The plans review process by the AHJ does not relieve the applicant's obligations and responsibilities for code compliance-able inspectors and plans examiners. Permit Issuance When the permit application is complete, the fees are paid, and the plans review (including any amendments to the design) is complete, the permit is issued. The permit may be in the form of a separate document, sometimes a brightly colored card, or may simply be a signed copy of the permit application form... The permit will often include information about each required inspection, such as the timing, sequencing, and elements covered, and a place for the inspector's signature. The permit must then be posted in a conspicuous location on the job site premises for the duration of the project. --8. Building permits include in formation about the construction project and inspections, and must be posted in a conspicuous location on the job site. Next: Inspection of Photovoltaic System Installations |