New Solar System in Poway CA

[powaysolar]

I just put in my second solar system with the help of my neighbor (I have a simple one on my toy hauler). Its been on for about two weeks. The plans and permit inspection passed with no re-work or changes . I got called out by the plan inspector for lacking the 3' roof ridge set back but the Poway fire marshal was way cool and gave me an exemption. Glad I was able to grandfather the net metering...

6.375 KW System
Enphase m-250s
LG Mono X 275 Watt Panels (23)

Have reached over 43 KWH on some days. Orientation is southwest.


Solar System 6.375kw (with envoy monitoring unit) - $12850 purchased at CED greentech/DIY solar depot
Switches, EMT Fittings Flashing - Lowes $160.00
Wire All - Home Depot $240.00
EMT 85' - Lowes $63.07
20amp back-feed breaker/sealant - Home Depot $45.23
permit - Poway City $155
Laser engraved solar sign - Free did myself
Plans - Free did myself

Total
~$13500

[J.P.M.]

I just put in my second solar system with the help of my neighbor (I have a simple one on my toy hauler). Its been on for about two weeks. The plans and permit inspection passed with no re-work or changes . I got called out by the plan inspector for lacking the 3' roof ridge set back but the Poway fire marshal was way cool and gave me an exemption. Glad I was able to grandfather the net metering...

6.375 KW System
Enphase m-250s
LG Mono X 275 Watt Panels (23)

Have reached over 43 KWH on some days. Orientation is southwest.


Solar System 6.375kw (with envoy monitoring unit) - $12850 purchased at CED greentech/DIY solar depot
Switches, EMT Fittings Flashing - Lowes $160.00
Wire All - Home Depot $240.00
EMT 85' - Lowes $63.07
20amp back-feed breaker/sealant - Home Depot $45.23
permit - Poway City $155
Laser engraved solar sign - Free did myself
Plans - Free did myself

Total
~$13500

You got lucky with the setback. Net metering will be good for about another year plus, depending on the rate of solar installs.

[powaysolar]

You got lucky with the setback. Net metering will be good for about another year plus, depending on the rate of solar installs.

Yeah I was pretty worried about having to contact the Poway fire marshal and did not want the system to go all the way to the bottom roof edge although it would have been the same KW. The fire marshal responded within a day and did a site inspection and exemption the next day. He was a really cool guy and super helpful. Couldn't have asked for a better experience with my first large system.

The new 3' roof ridge setback rule sucks, glad they have multiple exemption options.

[J.P.M.]

Yeah I was pretty worried about having to contact the Poway fire marshal and did not want the system to go all the way to the bottom roof edge although it would have been the same KW. The fire marshal responded within a day and did a site inspection and exemption the next day. He was a really cool guy and super helpful. Couldn't have asked for a better experience with my first large system.

The new 3' roof ridge setback rule sucks, glad they have multiple exemption options.

It's been the law of the land for about 16 months now. Would you care to share those multiple exemption options ? There's probably a boatload of folks in S.D. county that didn't/don't know about them - some in Poway if my memory of prior threads serves.

[Samsolar]

Congrats on completion of your project. I finished my DIY a few weeks ago for very similar $/w numbers using the same equipment (though 280w LG panels).

With all the conduit, I'm assuming you ran THHN from the inverters to your main? Was this required or just the easier way to go? I was able to run 10/3 Romex/NM inside the house to the main in the basement.

[powaysolar]

Congrats on completion of your project. I finished my DIY a few weeks ago for very similar $/w numbers using the same equipment (though 280w LG panels).

With all the conduit, I'm assuming you ran THHN from the inverters to your main? Was this required or just the easier way to go? I was able to run 10/3 Romex/NM inside the house to the main in the basement.

Thanks. Yes I ran dual rated THHN/THWN wire. #8 for the ground and #10 for everything else. From what I understand for my system this was required but I'm not positive. I specified THWN for the line diagrams in the plans.

[powaysolar]

It's been the law of the land for about 16 months now. Would you care to share those multiple exemption options ? There's probably a boatload of folks in S.D. county that didn't/don't know about them - some in Poway if my memory of prior threads serves.

Here's a thread that discuss the topic:

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?14314-New-Cal-Fire-setback-requirement-for-roof-mounted-solar

CRC, Section 331.4, Exception 2.

The CA code section that deals with this is
Title 24, Part 9, Chapter 6, Sec. 605.11. The setbacks specifically start at Sec. 605.11.3. This section provides and exception that states:

2. Panels/modules shall be permitted to he located up to the roof ridge where an alternative ventilation method approved by the fire chief has been provided or where the fire chief has determined vertical ventilation techniques will not be employed.

[J.P.M.]

Here's a thread that discuss the topic:

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?14314-New-Cal-Fire-setback-requirement-for-roof-mounted-solar

CRC, Section 331.4, Exception 2.

The CA code section that deals with this is
Title 24, Part 9, Chapter 6, Sec. 605.11. The setbacks specifically start at Sec. 605.11.3. This section provides and exception that states:

2. Panels/modules shall be permitted to he located up to the roof ridge where an alternative ventilation method approved by the fire chief has been provided or where the fire chief has determined vertical ventilation techniques will not be employed.

Overthesun's due diligence pays off even when apparently long gone. Guess it's worth a shot. Nicely done.

[jd31]

Nice job, PowaySolar! I too live in Poway and just approved my installers design plans. Looking forward to making use of this hot Poway sun.

[revenhawk]

Nice! We're right next to Poway and are looking to get a solar system installed before net-metering runs out...

[J.P.M.]

Nice! We're right next to Poway and are looking to get a solar system installed before net-metering runs out...

According to SDG & E, as of 04/30/2015, the 5% net metering cap is at about 2/3 subscribed at 3.28% of 5%. No one knows when the 5% cap will be reached, but it will probably happen before the fed. tax credit expires on 12/31/2016. I figure about another 12 months or less. There will likely be some successor tariff in place but what it may look like is unknown at this time. Probably not as sweet a deal as current net metering.