Hi Team,
We had talked about Solar to help meet Title 24 requirements. I met with a solar company at the land last week and shared the house plans and roof plans. I discussed the option of ground mounts but I think that wont be an option because of the scenic easement to the north and the ground to the west we would like the kids to be able to run around there and also I'm sure balls would be bouncing all over that area.
The idea of putting some solar panels on the arbors over the bbq area and eventual pool area could work but I think since those areas are at lower elevations it might get blocked too much from the house.
So I think at this point I'd favor doing a solar pit on the roof (as Tim mentioned, devoid of clay tiles). This particular company gave an estimate of 12 panels to fully supply the house and these would be 360 W A.C. panels 3 feet by just under 6 feet. 12 panels would be 217 sq feet of space.
I was hoping to utilize the western facing roof above the family room and master, although south facing gets more sunlight, PG&E pays more for western generated energy. Also, I thought we could utilize the southeast facing roof over the garage. Even though southeast would not get as much sunlight, I think its worth it to use these because they would have less visual impact I think as one approaches the house. I think the western facing roof would also have less of a visual impact. Thoughts?
Also, with the Federal tax credit and very favorable financing, we can do Solar right away.
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Thanks guys, great feedback. So I will pursue these options with the solar company. Its good to know the bbq area may be an option for us, I think we could get at least half the panels there. Tim, am I correct to say that at least for now for permits and Title 24 requirements we can say we will do solar and then work on exactly where to put them a little further down the road? At least we know that solar is a viable option financially. Thanks, --jeff
South to Southwest aspect are always best. A sun/shade study of the site + proposed building to locate the most advantageous spaces for solar. The solar companies, as Tim mentioned, will be able to figure this out. From a quick glance of the bbq patio there is nothing south of it, so there would not be much obstruction. One would have to plan the trees/ vegetation around it so in 10-15 years it would not become a problem. We have a good amount of southern exposure especially on the roof of the garage/ south wing and that would be an ideal place for the other solar hardware.
When are those Tesla Solar shingles coming out!?
Solar panel location is actually fairly complicated from a functional efficiency standpoint. I would suggest forwarding the roof plan to them along with the site plan to get their recommendations. Keep in mind the west facing elevations are the "front" of the house and aesthetically I would recommend against putting them on this side (but understand that further to the north above the family room would be less visible). On another project am doing in Danville (now under construction) - we are doing a composition shingle roof in the area that supports the solar panels (with tile on the other roof areas). This is a great solution but it is on a side facing side (not the front) and won't really be visible.
Looking at the site plan I still favor pursuing putting the solar panels on the ground and there looks to be plenty of space outside of the scenic easement. I believe you are allowed to even put them within the setback (on the ground) but this would have to be verified with Danville.
Basically - I would suggest still pursing both alternatives still (having them on the roof or ground) by giving the solar power company the criteria and concerns for the location and have them come up with a solution which we can evaluate.