What You Need To Know About Solar Design Services
So you’re ready to design your solar system for a New York City project, here’s what you need to know:
NYC remains a unique place for solar, given the city’s large potential for rooftop and intensive local building codes and regulations. Over the years, Sologistics has provided thousands of solar design services to our clients. NYC faces several specific challenges to solar system designs. Even for contractors with solar design experience, navigating NYC’s solar design requirements can still provide a new experience.
The city has extensive building codes, zoning resolutions, fire codes, and regulations for distributed energy resources. Additionally, site-specific environmental hazard zones, flood zones, and landmarked buildings provide their own set of design challenges. Flat roofs can often receive shading from nearby taller buildings, limiting the received solar irradiation. Older buildings constructed prior to the adoption of the 2014 NYC Building Code may not be in compliance with current Railing and Fall Protection Guidelines.
Typically, older construction is grandfathered in, but whenever work is done on an existing rooftop that roof must be brought up to code, adding an additional cost to the project that might not be anticipated. Additionally, there may be existing rooftop obstructions that interfere with FDNY clear access pathways. Sologistics can provide guidance on what can be done to design around these obstructions, or submit a variance application to maximize the PV system size and conform to current building codes.
Successful solar design requires a thorough site assessment. While preliminary designs can be achieved using satellite imagery, city, and building data, in-person site assessments are needed to gather more detailed information of the site that can significantly impact design.
When working with Sologistics for your solar design needs, the site assessment data allows our design team to produce the most accurate array layout, maximize energy production, and comply with city codes. Information gathered on a site assessment includes roof measurements, roof photos, structural data, shading from nearby trees or buildings, solar irradiation data, electrical information, and the location & measurements of any vents, skylights, or other roof obstructions.
Sologistics can also analyze buildings’ existing electrical distribution systems and help determine the best location and method of interconnecting the PV system to the grid. Producing a solar design from accurate site assessment information reduces the need for potential plan changes & as-builts and allows for more precise calculations for the system’s projected energy output. Design changes after DOB plan approval require the submission of a Post Approval Amendment, which as of recently incurs an additional filing fee.
Furthermore, any design changes that occur during installation, such as a differing number or layout of panels or a changed balance of system location require filing an As-Built. Starting your solar project with a well-designed system results in more efficient project execution, lower costs, and faster solar project completion timelines.
Looking for a high-quality solar design? Check out our Solar Design and Engineering Checklist and connect with us for your solar system design, engineering, and plan review needs.