Two New Documents from Solar ABCs:
Impacts on Photovoltaic Installations of Changes to the 2012 International Codes
and
Understanding the CAL FIRE Solar Photovoltaic Installation Guideline
Las Cruces, NM – September 14, 2011 – The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) has released a new white paper, "Impacts on Photovoltaic Installations of Changes to the 2012 International Codes," and another new report, "Understanding the CAL FIRE Solar Photovoltaic Installation Guideline" (Guideline) that explain the changes for photovoltaics (PV) in the 2012 International Code Council's International Building Code (IBC), the International Residential Code (IRC), and the International Fire Code (IFC).
The white paper provides an overview of new code language related to PV systems within the 2012 IBC and IRC. This language specifies requirements for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems and rack-mounted PV systems. For each system type, requirements are given for installation, materials, wind resistance, and fire classification. The white paper is intended to assist code officials, solar installers, and roofing contractors to interpret and use these codes. For more information, visit: www.solarabcs.org/2012whitepaper
The Solar ABCs report provides context and background information for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CAL FIRE's) "Solar Photovoltaic Installation Guideline". A slightly modified version of this Guideline is now contained in the 2012 IFC, elevating the importance of the Guideline from a recommendation to a legally binding code. For more information, visit: www.solarabcs.org/fireguideline
"The Solar ABCs is dedicated to serving the PV codes and standards community," said Larry Sherwood, Solar ABCS Project Administrator, "and has developed these publications to provide a thorough understanding and reasoning behind the 2012 International Code changes." The Solar ABCs is also planning to conduct a free webinar to outline and discuss both of these publications. Visit the Solar ABCs site for more information: www.solarabcs.org
About Solar ABCs
The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) is a collaborative effort among experts to formally gather and prioritize input from the broad spectrum of solar photovoltaic stakeholders including policy makers, manufacturers, installers, and consumers resulting in coordinated recommendations to codes and standards making bodies for existing and new solar technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy funds Solar ABCs as part of its commitment to facilitate widespread adoption of safe, reliable, and cost-effective solar technologies.
Media contact: Mr. Larry Sherwood, 303-413-8028
larry@sherwoodassociates.com
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