How to Make a House Solar Ready
Solar Ready
The following tasks should be completed to make a home “solar ready”. By completing these tasks, home builders can simplify the solar installation process and reduce the cost. These tasks may vary according to location due to building codes, utility requirements, and solar installer preferences.
Reserved Roof Space Oriented for Solar Panels
A minimum of 240 square feet (for a 4kW solar system) of unobstructed and unshaded roof space must be reserved for future placement of solar panels, and the area must be marked on the plan set or roof diagram as the ‘Solar Roof Area’. This roof space generally needs to be oriented between the southwest to the southeast to maximize solar exposure. Due south is the optimal solar orientation (in the northern hemisphere). Reserve roof space early when it is easier to locate roof penetrations (such as plumbing vents) to the roof edges or to the non-solar roof plane.
Preinstalled Conduit
The installation of a 3/4-inch or greater non-flexible metal conduit allows for a future solar trade installer to fish the system’s electrical wiring from the attic to the electrical panel more easily. Additional conduit should be run from the main breaker box to the exterior electric meter area for installing the solar system’s AC disconnect. If the conduit is not installed during the electrical rough in, conduit can be installed on the exterior of the home. If planned during the design phase, the installation is inexpensive, easy and efficient.
Reserved Space Adjacent to the Electric Meter
Solar electric systems require additional equipment – such as a string inverter OR combiner box and AC disconnect – that will be mounted on the exterior of the home next to the electric meter (See photo). To prepare in advance for this equipment as well as the electric meter, it is recommended to reserve a 48-inch by 48-inch unobstructed wall area close to where the electrical service enters to house.
Reserved Electrical Panel Space
Finally, the electrical panel must be sized accordingly to accommodate a minimum 40-amp double pole breaker on the opposite end of the panel from the main service feeder. When the verifier inspects the home they will install labels on the electrical panel to show that the home is ready for solar!