Chapter 7 describes the compliance requirements for photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery storage systems, and solar ready for newly constructed residential dwellings, including single-family, and low-rise (three or fewer habitable floors) multifamily buildings. The PV requirement is a new prescriptive requirement for newly constructed single-family and low-rise multifamily buildings. The prescriptive PV requirement also sets the standard design budget for the performance compliance method. Installation of battery storage system is a new compliance option for 2019 and this chapter describes the qualification requirement for this credit. The requirements for solar ready buildings are mandatory measures for newly constructed single-family homes and new low-rise multifamily residential buildings that do not have a photovoltaic system due to an exception in Section 150.1(c)14. The solar ready requirement is implemented when designing the building’s rooftop and associated equipment. The intent is to reserve a penetration-free and shade-free portion of the roof for the potential future installation of a solar energy system. There are no requirements to install panels, conduit, piping, or mounting hardware.
For information about solar water heating system, please see Chapter 5.