Dan, I think there should more discussions on ground-mounted arrays as an option in addition to rooftop systems - to get out ahead of any issues. In addition, any renderings for ground-mounted arrays and ground-mounted stuff as ESSs.
1. By definition, a brush could mean a "slight and fleeting touch" - which we do not want to do at these times :) or "undergrowth, small trees and shrubs." 2. The challenge also in one and and two family dwellings when there is a setback of only (3) three feet as an accessory structure and the (10) foot rule. 3. I think mounts can be categorized in general as SPMs (Side of Pole Mounts), TPMs (Top of Pole Mounts), MPM's (Multiple Pole Mounts) or an Open Structure with the ability to walk underneath or a Closed structure where you can not walk underneath. 4. BTW, you may wish to look at versions of ISEP and the IRC too? "A. RS402.4 (R324.6) Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems. Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section (R301). B. RS402.4.1 (R324.6.1) Fire separation distances. Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems shall be subject to the fire separation distance requirements determined by the local jurisdiction." 5. Gravel and the various types is also my goto soil amendment. In California, I'd also suggest working with a C27 Landscaping Contractor on what type of blue flowers would be okay. What do you think? All the best, Martin Herzfeld, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Certified Master Trainer ™ for Photovoltaics (PV) Installation Professional #IREC 10037 Contract Training Provider (CTP) Adjunct Professor, Energy California Solar & Electrical Contractor License #00833782 C46, C10, D56, D31, C-7 Solar, Electrical, Trenching, Pole Installation & Maintenance, Instrumentation Contract Solar (PV) Technical Inspector - 3rd Party Inspections Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Certified PV Installer #17, OSHA 30 OSHA-Authorized Construction Trainer #32-0105338 CompTIA Certified Technical Classroom Trainer (CTT+) #T3NSZCNBBKB4QTQG * Professional Member, International Association of Electrical Inspectors #7035507 * Accredited and Registered North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Continuing Education (CE) Provider Telephone & Text: 510.243.0190 On Fri, Mar 20, 2020, 4:06 PM Dan Fink <danbo...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello esteemed Wrenches; I am trying to clear this up for a client and his > AHJ, which is also puzzled at how to interpret IFC 2018, Section 1204.4, > which states: > > Setback requirements shall not apply to ground-mounted, free-standing >> photovoltaic arrays. A clear, brush-free area of 10 feet (3048 mm) shall be >> required for ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays. > > > I found one lone informational note in a white paper stating this was to > prevent a burning PV array from igniting surrounding vegetation and the > fire spreading. > > So, has anyone dealt with an AHJ on this before? Our questions are: > > - What exactly is a "free-standing photovoltaic array" that is exempt? > A pole mount? Couldn't burning debris from that ignite vegetation > underneath? > - What exactly does "A clear, brush-free area of 10 feet (3048 mm)" > mean? "10 feet" is a linear measurement, not an area, that would be in > square feet. > - What is "brush"? Does grass count as brush? > > I would interpret this on the safe side as meaning that all vegetation > under the PV array and out to a 10 foot perimeter should be cleared, except > for pole-mount arrays (that exception makes no sense to me). > > I always recommend to clients that the area *under* the ground mount > array should be pea gravel bordered by railroad ties, but out to 10 feet > from the array edge seems excessive. > > Any input greatly appreciated! > > Dan Fink > Executive Director, Buckville Energy Consulting > NABCEP PV Associate > NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector > IREC Certified Instructor™ for: > ~ PV Installation Professional > ~ Small Wind Installer > NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers > d <dan.f...@greendustrialtraining.com>anbo...@gmail.com > 970-672-4342 > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > >
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
