Can I skip solar because my roof is shaded?

Only if the shading study leaves under 80 contiguous square feet of roof with 70 per cent annual solar access, or the capped system falls under 1.8 kWdc. Shading reduces the roof area counted, which shrinks the system and can take it below those lines.

Does the system have to be on the roof?

No. The Energy Commission says it may be ground-mounted on the property or mounted on a carport on the lot.

Who decides the snow-load exception?

The enforcement agency. Exception 3 applies to roof designs the agency approves where it determines a PV system cannot meet the ASCE 7-16 snow-load requirements.

When Is a New Home Exempt From the Title 24 Solar Requirement?

Only when one of the five exceptions to Section 150.1(c)14 applies, and none turns on preference. No system is required if there is under 80 contiguous square feet of usable roof, if the calculated system is under 1.8 kWdc, or if the enforcement agency finds the roof cannot meet snow-load rules. A fourth exception changes how roof area is counted for older planning approvals, and a fifth shrinks the system instead of removing it.

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The five exceptions

1. Small or north-facing roof. On steep roofs, area facing between 300 and 90 degrees from true north is not counted, and under 80 contiguous square feet of what remains means no PV.
2. Under 1.8 kWdc. No PV if the minimum size is under 1.8 kWdc. In compliance software the Equation 150.1-C figure itself must be under 1.8 to claim it.
3. Snow load. Where the enforcement agency approves the roof design and finds a PV system cannot meet the snow-load chapter of ASCE 7-16. The agency decides, not the owner.
4. Planning approval before 1 January 2020 with mandatory conditions: shading those conditions require is counted in the solar access study, and roof the conditions bar from PV is left out of the area.
5. A battery. A JA12 battery of at least 7.5 kWh cuts the size by 25 per cent. Both must be installed, and the Energy Commission says it cannot be combined with Exception 2.

How shade is counted

Roof with under 70 per cent annual solar access drops out of the roof area. On steep roofs only permanent obstructions outside the dwelling count, such as trees, hills and neighbouring buildings; on low-slope roofs the building’s own features count too. Occupied roof areas and roof lost to other state code are also left out. A local roof-use rule such as a living-roof requirement removes area only if the Energy Commission’s Executive Director has approved it. Bring a shading report to the building department.

What is not an exemption

Preference, cost or appearance. None of the five exceptions covers them.
An awkward roof. The system may go on the ground or on a carport on the lot.
Community solar. Section 10-115 lets the Commission approve a shared system to meet the requirement in part or whole, with 20 years of participation secured by a recorded covenant or an approved equivalent.
Solar-ready. A home in a subdivision of ten or more without PV still reserves a roof zone; see solar-ready requirements.

Cases outside the section

Additions, alterations and unconditioned buildings are not covered (see adding solar to an existing home). A rebuild after the January 2025 Los Angeles-area fires has separate relief under an executive order (wildfire rebuilds). The size arithmetic is on solar system size, the requirement on new-home solar, and the wider list on Title 24 exemptions.

Common Title 24 Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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