Title 24 for Solar Installers
On a new home the array is part of the energy compliance, and the installer signs for it. On an existing home the Energy Code mostly steps aside.
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- Upload your plans
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- Permit-ready report by email
A newly constructed home needs a newly installed PV system, or new modules, qualifying under Joint Appendix JA11 (Section 150.1(c)14). The CF1R sets the size and, on the performance path, the orientation and shading the model assumed; you build an array that qualifies and certify it on the CF2R-PVB-01-E. If the layout changes, send it to us and we will tell you whether the CF1R needs revising.
What matters for your projects
Orientation
Prescriptively, arrays steeper than 2:12 must face between 90 and 300 degrees from true north, and flatter ones can face any direction (JA11.2.1). A model assuming California Flexible Installation narrows that to 150 to 270 degrees for CFI1 or 105 to 300 degrees for CFI2, with modules at roof pitch on roofs up to 7:12 (JA11.2.2).
Shading
Count rooftop equipment, terrain, neighbouring buildings, mature trees and planned trees at their mature height, plus utility poles within 30 feet; anything north of the whole array is ignored (JA11.3). A prescriptive system needs at least 98 per cent weighted average annual solar access by panel count, shown with a solar assessment tool certified by the Energy Commission (JA11.3.1, JA11.4).
Monitoring and interconnection
The owner gets a web portal and a mobile app showing the system rating, the module count, production from hourly to annual, and current output (JA11.5). Inverters are tested to UL 1741 and its Supplement A, and the system meets Rule 21 (JA11.6).
The certificate
On the CF2R-PVB-01-E you certify that every JA11 provision is met, attaching a solar assessment report whose image post-dates installation, or site photos showing the array matches the one assessed (JA11.7). The building department checks that it is complete, correct and uploaded to a registry the Energy Commission has approved (JA11.8).
Batteries
A battery used for compliance is a model certified under JA12, documented on the CF2R-PVB-02-E. At final it must be commissioned on the control strategy and compliance cycling capacity shown on the CF1R (JA12.4). See JA12 battery storage.
Existing homes
Additions do not need PV (Exception 6 to Section 150.2(a)), the alteration rules of Section 150.2(b) contain no PV requirement, and JA11 qualifies only systems used to meet the Standards (JA11.1). A voluntary array is permitted under the electrical, residential and fire codes instead; see adding solar to an existing home. New modules added to the main house's array can meet a new detached ADU's requirement if they are on its permit (does an ADU need solar).
Commercial and apartment roofs
JA11 also qualifies PV for nonresidential and multifamily compliance (JA11.1), and on nonresidential buildings the installation certificate is the NRCI-SAB-E. See commercial solar and battery and multifamily solar.
Every project includes
- Permit-ready documentation for your scope
- Registration where your project requires it
- Unlimited revisions until you comply
- Direct contact with the analyst on your file
Frequently Asked Questions
No. JA11 sets the qualification requirements for PV used to meet the Standards, and the Energy Code does not require PV on an existing house or an addition. The array still needs its building permit.
If a change could take the building out of compliance, Section 10-103(a)2B requires amended plans and certificates approved by the building department. Send us the as-built layout before final and we will check it against the model.
The one on the CF1R. JA12.4 requires the strategy and the compliance cycling capacity at commissioning and final inspection to match the certificate of compliance.