Construction documents must include information about the as-designed structural loads and plans for interconnecting a PV and SWH system to the building’s electrical or plumbing systems.
These requirements apply to both single family residences and low-rise multi-family buildings.
For the areas of the roof designated as the solar zone, the structural design loads for roof dead load and roof live load shall be clearly indicated on the construction documents. This is required so that the structural loads are known if a solar energy system is installed in the future. There are no requirements for the inclusion of any collateral loads for future solar energy systems.
All buildings that must include a solar zone must also include a plan for connecting a PV and SWH system to the building’s electrical or plumbing system. The construction documents shall indicate:
1. A location for inverters and metering equipment for future solar electric systems.
2. A pathway for routing conduit from the solar zone to the point of interconnection with the electrical service. There is no requirement to install any conduit.
3. A pathway for routing of plumbing from the solar zone to the water-heating system. There is no requirement to install any piping.
A copy of the construction documents or a document containing the required solar ready information shall be provided to the occupant. The building occupant must also receive a copy of compliance forms number CF1R-SRA-01-E and CF1R-SRA-02-E. Providing this information to the building occupant is required so that the solar ready information is available if a solar energy system is installed in the future.