Solar (PV) installation

Please click here for the prescriptive solar installation checklist. See below for non-prescriptive submittal instructions.

Whether a system is prescriptive or non-prescriptive, nothing in terms of emergency pathways and blockage of egress changes. Non-prescriptive simply means the proposed system does not meet the provisions below.

To meet the criteria of a non-prescriptive installation, the design must meet all the following:

• PV panel system and attachments will be designed to withstand applicable gravity and wind loads at the site and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
• Ground snow load at the site does not exceed 70 pounds per square foot (nowhere in Oregon City exceeds this).
• Wind exposure for the structure is limited to Wind Exposure B or C.
• Structure is of conventional light-frame construction.
• The supporting roof framing is either 
  • Pre-engineered trusses spaced less than or equal to 24 inches on center -or-
  • Rafters spaced less than or equal to 24 inches on center and framing and complies with the following -
    • Existing rafters and ceiling joists comply with Sections R802.4.1, R802.5.1 and R802.5.2. Where rafter spans are based on purlins provided between the ridge and eave, such purlins shall be supported by braces to bearing partitions in accordance

      with Figure R324.4.1(1) and Section R802.4.5.

    • Existing valley and hip rafters comply with Section R802.4.1 and are supported at the ridge by a brace to a bearing partition. Where roof rafters require purlins between the ridge and eave to comply with the rafter span tables, hip and valley rafters shall also be supported by a brace to a bearing partition.

    • Where the existing grade and species of the rafters and ceiling joists cannot be verified, it shall be assumed to be No. 2 Grade Douglas Fir-Larch.

• Roofing materials are metal or single-layer-wood shingles or shakes, or not more than two layers of composite shingle.

• The total weight of the PV panel system, including modules and racking, will not exceed 4.5 per square foot.

• Module height will be no more than 18 inches from the top of the module to the roof surface and comply with the following figures from the Oregon Residential Specialty Code -
  

Click here to apply for a non-prescriptive PV installation.

Non-prescriptive systems are considered a building alteration, and are charged by valuation. Please also note, the non-prescriptive nature of the application does not exempt a system from the pathways and egress requirements of section R324 or the Oregon Residential Specialty Code. A non-prescriptive submittal must include structural calculations from a registered engineer for the attachment to the structure, as well as the ability of the structure to carry the imposed load to the foundation.