Code Reference: California Electrical Code, Article 690 - Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Permit Center Staff will review your application and submittal documents prior to plan check submittal to ensure completeness per CRC Section 908 and CEC 690. Upon verification of a complete submittal package, please submit a set of plans to the Building Services Department for review and approval.

Information Required

Your submission should contain the following information:
✔ Cover Sheet
✔ Name and address of property owner.
✔ Scope of work documented on the plans.
✔ Project Data (assessor’s parcel number, use of building, # of PV arrays, etc.)
Notes on Plans
✔ “The installation of the PV system shall conform to the requirements of the California Electrical Code, Article 690 and any other applicable articles or standards.”
✔ “The Fire District/Department shall perform a final fire inspection.”
✔ “Installation shall be provided by a California Licensed Contractor (B, C-46 or C-10).
✔ Buildings with stand alone systems shall have a placard indicating that it is a standalone system and shall show the location of the disconnecting means.
OR
✔ Buildings with utility services and a PV system shall have a plaque or directory indicating the location of the service disconnecting means and the PV system disconnecting means.

Site Plan

✔ Site plan including property boundaries and north arrow clearly identifying the location of the PV installation.
✔ Site Plan shall indicate location of electrical service, combiner box, inverter, a/c & d/c disconnects, junction boxes and battery banks.
✔ Site Plan for Ground mounted systems shall identify all structures on property, topography of site, driveway access from street, easements, site utilities, septic system with leach lines, etc.

Electrical Plans

✔ Electrical single-line diagram clearly identifying all devices installed in the PV system and indicating total kVA rating of system.

1. Array wiring identified
2. Combiner/junction box identified
3. Equipment grounding specified
4. Disconnect specified
5. Inverter specified
6. System grounding specified

✔ Clearly identify the point of interconnection with the utility supplied wiring system and provide details on main breaker, PV breaker and rating of bussing.
✔ Indicate type and size of all conduit and conductors throughout the PV system.
✔ Provide typical detail of signage. Signage shall be green or red plastic engraved with 1/2" high white letters, permanently mounted on or immediately next to the panel door.
✔ Identify location of service disconnecting means and PV system disconnect (for PV systems connected to utility services). Plans shall indicate that the inverter disconnects are to be a separate component and serviceable. Plans shall identify the building or area to be served.
✔ Identify DC array solar panel Voc and Isc rating on plans.

Supporting Documents

✔ Documented cost estimate to establish valuation.
✔ Provide a copy structural calculation, prepared by a registered California design professional for roof mounted systems if the total weight of the PV system is over five pounds per square foot or if the maximum height above the roof surface exceeds 18 inches; or if the total heig
✔ Manufacturer’s Specifications for all equipment.
✔ Provide Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions for all PV modules, mounting systems, combiner boxes (if used), inverters, and disconnects.

Contruction Plans

Mount Type: Roof Mount or Ground Mount

✔ Roof Plan indicating location and total coverage (area) of PV array.
✔ Partial Roof Framing Plan identifying size, spacing, and spans of members that support the PV system or indicate manufactured roof trusses.
✔ Details indicating attachment of PV modules to roof framing. Verify method of waterproofing and flashing.
✔ PV panel array shall not be installed within 3 feet of all edges including the ridge line.
✔ Foundation Plan with foundation details referenced to applicable details.
✔ Soils report required or modification request submitted.

NOTE: All work shall comply with the California Building Code and the California Electric Code, Article 690.