solarasinvestment.com

calfiresetbacks.com

Example 1: Simple Gable Roof

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/example1-simple-gable.html

Example 1: Simple Gable Roof. Each of the two planes must have 3’-3’-3’ setbacks. So the southern roof in this picture can hold only 18 250-watt panels. It’s a gable roof, so there are only two planes, and they are opposite each other. So if one plane is perfect for solar, the other is — by definition — lousy. And that’s what we see here. The northern roof is completely available to firefighting crews. This is a circumstance where 100% of the north roof should be available for solar panels.

calfiresetbacks.com

The Setback Requirements

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/setback-requirements.html

Many fire jurisdictions summarize the reg as. Three foot from each roof’s ridgeline and sides. This 3’-3’-3’ requirement is exactly what’s required for a gable roof:. The guidelines try to work with the more complicated shapes by requiring, for example, only one 3-foot access path on each plane of a hip roof:. And only 1 1/2 foot from a valley on a cross-hip or cross gable, if panels are on the neighboring plane:. ACCESS, PATHWAYS AND SMOKE VENTILATION. Ensure access to the roof. Adequate ventilation opp...

calfiresetbacks.com

What We Need from the Homeowner

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/homeowner.html

What We Need from the Homeowner. Homeowners wishing to add solar need to learn how a house fire is fought. As a homeowner, you pay for firefighting services that you will likely never use. But if you need them, you don’t want conditions you’ve created to get in the way of the firefighters doing their job. Take action with the advice given. Make your property safer! Next: Example 1 – Simple Gable Roof. CalFire Setbacks and Why Homeowners Should Care. The Solution: What We Need from the Fire Department.

calfiresetbacks.com

Roof Shapes

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/roof-shapes.html

There are an infinite number of roof designs, but the CalFire Draft Guidelines reference four. Here’s what’s called a gable roof:. A gable roof has a single ridge line, and two roof planes, one on either side of the ridge. Here’s a cross-gable — two gables intersecting each other:. There’s still a single ridge line, but now four roof planes. Note that none are rectangular. That’s important, because panels are rectangles, and hip roofs aren’t. So lots of space becomes unusable. Example 1: Simple Gable Roof.

calfiresetbacks.com

What’s the Problem?

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/problem.html

The problem is threefold:. Three-foot corridors use up a lot of roof surface. Many roofs are complicated — and the guideline seems to suggest more and more access paths. Common-sense can slip through the cracks. If the whole northern roof is unencumbered, are setbacks really needed on the southern side, where solar would go. Let’s look at each of these issues. Three-foot corridors use-up a lot of roof surface. Many roofs are complicated — and the guideline seems to propose more and more access paths.

calfiresetbacks.com

The Solution: What We Need from the Fire Department

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/solution-fire-department.html

The Solution: What We Need from the Fire Department. The fire department needs to give-up the right to dictate what goes where on a homeowner’s roof. This might sound extreme, but we already have scenarios that don’t serve the fire department:. Buildings are constructed out of wood and other flammables since the economics of building requires it. Buildings are built taller than fire department ladders since the economics of urban real estate requires it. Next: What We Need from the Homeowner.

calfiresetbacks.com

Example 3: Stepped-Gable

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/example3-stepped-gable.html

The reg does not address common situations like this. That means the local fire marshal is interpreting the rule. And that’s not good. For this particular house, the far end mirrors this end, dropping back to a lower roof. If each plane is treated as independent, this house could require 6 access paths to the ridge line on the side we wish to put solar on. It’s a gable roof so only one side will be used for solar. The height difference between roof planes is minimal. There are no nearby buildings.

solarleasefacts.com

Should I Lease a Solar Panel System?

http://www.solarleasefacts.com/1-Should-I-Lease.html

Should I Lease a Solar Panel System? It depends. Let me start with the question that should precede this:. A Solar Panel System? Definitely Yes, if:. Your PG&E electrical bill has $100 or more of tier 3 or higher (expensive) electricity on it. AND you ve got the cash to buy a system outright. AND you've got a roof with great southern / south-eastern / south-western exposure. AND your roof has decades of useful life left, and includes large areas without penetrations. Definitely No, if:. Is also, by itsel...

calfiresetbacks.com

Example 2: Cross Hip with Clutter

http://www.calfiresetbacks.com/example2-cross-hip.html

Example 2: Cross Hip with Clutter. The plane of south-oriented roof at the top of the picture is also restricted. With a 3-foot setback on the right side and a 3-foot setback at the ridge line, we’re limited to 8 panels. It’s a single story structure with plenty of remaining access points. The branches visible in the left of the picture are well-away from the roof; they don’t inhibit roof access. Next: Example 3 – Stepped-Gable. CalFire Setbacks and Why Homeowners Should Care. Example 1: Simple Gable Roof.