Community Development Department
Building Construction Services
18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Building Phone: 941.743.1201 - Building Fax: 941.764.4907
Zoning Phone: 941.743.1964 - Zoning Fax: 941.743.1598
BCS@CharlotteCountyFL.gov
www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov
"To exceed expectations in the delivery of public services"
Application Date
Permit Number
For Office Use Only
CSR Initials
20
Solar Ready Construction Guidelines
Revised 12/23/2015 JG
These voluntary guidelines are provided to help developers in the design and construction of new residential buildings. By
incorporating these guidelines early in the design process, developers can make new homes solar ready without adding
unduly to the cost of new construction.
Homeowners in solar-ready buildings can make the decision to install solar later with less difficulty and at lower cost.
1. Orientation and Location of Building
1.1 Orient Roofs to Face the South. Buildings should be oriented to afford a south-facing roof and designed in a way that
minimizes the obtrusiveness of solar panels that may be located on the south face of the roof.
1.2 Avoid Shading. Buildings should be designed in such a way that there is no shading to the south. Shade tree species
should be selected and planting locations identified that will allow trees to shade windows and walls but not the
identified solar collector location on the roof (See the FAQ - How do I balance shade trees and solar?)
2. Roof Design
2.1 Preserve Rooftop Space for Solar Collectors. The south-facing portion of the roof should include a contiguous area,
free of rooftop obstruction, of sufficient size to allow for a solar system. At minimum, an area of several square feet (100
sq. ft. per kW) should be identified. Residential solar systems in Florida may cover up to 1,000 square feet of roof space.
(See the FAQ - How much rooftop space does solar need?)
2.2 Flat Roof Configuration. For flat roofs, designers should ensure that the building has adequate roof access, and
should consider integrating rooftop safety equipment such as guardrails when appropriate. The area identified for solar
collection should be near the middle of the roof, away from any parapets to avoid shading. Any rooftop HVAC equipment
should be positioned to avoid conflicting with the location of the solar collector.
2.3 Pitched Roof Configuration. For pitched roofs, designers should take into account the degree of pitch that would
maximize the generation of solar panels located flush against the roof. In Southwest Florida, an optimal roof pitch for
solar is 25° to 28°. (See the FAQ - Why is this the right pitch?)
2.4 Allow for additional weight. The roof should be adequately reinforced to allow for the additional weight, including
both the weight of the solar systems itself and the impact of wind loads. Solar PV systems add 3-6 lbs. per square foot to
the dead load of a roof, and up to 45 lbs. at specific attachment points. If a ballasted system is installed on a flat roof, it
may add up to 20-30 lbs. per square foot to the roof's dead load.
2.5 Record Roof Reinforcements. Any reinforcements to the roof should be recorded on official drawings, such as the
code sheet, for the benefit of solar developers.
3. Inverter & Mechanical Systems
3.1 Reserve Wall Space for Inverter. A 3'x3' area of wall space next to the building's main electrical panel, with an
additional 3' of clearance space in front of the wall, should be reserved for the installation of an inverter. To minimize
voltage loss, the meter box and reserved inverter space should be located just below the rooftop space reserved for the
solar collector.
3.2 Install Conduit. Metallic conduit at least 2" in diameter should be installed that will run through the building from the
area identified for the inverter to the area identified for the solar collector.
3.3 Leave Room for PV Breaker. The electric panel should include the necessary space for a power input breaker at the
opposite end of the electric service panel from the main breaker.
3.4 Provide Adequate Home Electrical Service. Electrical service of at least 200 amperes in residential buildings is
preferable to ensure that PV power generation can be accommodated.
