The Need for Codes and Standards in Solar Infrastructure

The purpose of this [panel] session is to discuss the importance of establishing industry wide codes and standards for solar infrastructure. Surprisingly, the majority of solar structures are not built in compliance with the International Building Code (IBC).

At present there aren’t any unilateral evaluation standards or criteria in place and enforced, leaving solar projects at risk for a variety of engineering and installation failures. Underwriter’s Laboratories has long been the industry standard for regulatory codes in solar; however, these codes mostly address electrical standards and do not fully address structural concerns. The difficulty with applying current de facto “codes” to solar structures is that they have been subject to interpretation for years.

The main focus of solar has always been on PV modules. As module prices continue to drop, many investors and contractors are pushing for lower costs in the underlying solar infrastructure as well.  Such pressure has led many solar infrastructure vendors to cut corners — either knowingly or unwittingly. Infrastructure has been largely ignored because conventional wisdom would have us believe that infrastructure does not generate any revenue for investors, businesses or homeowners. And yet, physical testing, engineering and structural standards are critical to the long-term integrity of solar structures.

To mitigate this disparity, we must develop structural codes and standards that are recognized by the IBC, as they have the potential to pose significant implications for getting building permits, adding complexity, and cost to solar installations.

Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of the need for industry-wide codes and standards in solar infrastructure to safeguard the investments that are being made in the industry.