Solar permit plan check corrections

Residential solar permits draw the same comments again and again: rapid shutdown, roof pathways, the busbar, attachments and labels. Here's what the reviewer is looking for in each, and how to answer it on the first resubmittal.

Updated October 24, 2026 · By the Plan Check Correct team · General information, not legal or engineering advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Electrical and the single-line diagram

• "Provide a complete single-line diagram."Show every component from the modules to the point of connection: module, optimizer or microinverter and inverter models and quantities, conductor sizes and types, conduit, overcurrent protection, disconnects, grounding and the main panel ratings.
• "Provide conductor sizing and ampacity calculations."Show the circuit currents and conductor ampacity under NEC 690.8, with the corrections for temperature and the number of conductors in a raceway (NEC 310.15).
• "Show maximum system voltage."Calculate the string open-circuit voltage at the site's lowest expected temperature (NEC 690.7). On one- and two-family homes, PV dc circuits are limited to 600 volts.
• "Show the point of interconnection meets NEC 705.12."For a backfed breaker, show the busbar rating, the main breaker and the solar breaker and that they meet the 120% rule. If they don't, show a main breaker derate backed by a load calculation, a supply-side connection (NEC 705.11), a power control system, or a panel upgrade.
• "Show rapid shutdown compliance."Name the rapid shutdown equipment and its listing, show where the initiator is, and include the rapid shutdown label (NEC 690.12 and 690.56(C)).
• "Provide the required labels and directory."Add a labels sheet with the wording and locations for the disconnect, dc circuits, backfed breaker and the directory or plaque at the service showing where every power source and disconnect is (NEC 690 and 705.10).
• "Show grounding and bonding."Show the equipment grounding conductor sizes, how the modules and racking are bonded (listed racking, usually to UL 2703), and the grounding electrode connection (NEC 690.43 and 690.47).

Roof layout, fire access and structure

• "Show roof access pathways and ridge setbacks."Fire codes require clear pathways on the roof, generally at least 36 inches wide, and a clear setback at the ridge: typically 18 inches when the array covers up to a third of the roof area, and 36 inches when it covers more (IRC R324.6). The limits are more generous for homes with fire sprinklers. Dimension the pathways and setbacks on the roof plan and show the array's share of the roof area.
• "Keep panels clear of emergency escape openings."Don't place modules on the roof area below a bedroom's egress window, and show the pathway the code requires at that opening.
• "Provide the roof framing and structural review."Show the rafter or truss size, spacing and span, the roofing material, and the added weight of the system. Many departments accept a structural checklist for typical installs. Others want an engineer's letter, especially for older or altered framing.
• "Provide attachment details and spacing."Show the mount, the flashing, the lag screw size and embedment into the framing, and attachment spacing from the racking manufacturer's tables for your wind speed, exposure and snow load. Note any closer spacing required near roof edges and corners.
• "Show the system's fire classification."Rooftop systems need a fire classification that meets the roof's required rating (IRC R902.4). Note the listed fire class of the module and racking combination.
• "Show the array layout to scale."Draw every module on the roof plan with dimensions to the ridge, eaves, rakes and valleys, plus equipment locations on the site plan. Make sure the module count matches the single-line diagram.

Battery storage

• "Show the battery is listed."Residential energy storage systems need to be listed to UL 9540. Attach the specification sheet and the listing.
• "Show the battery location is allowed."The IRC limits where batteries can go in a home: garages, outdoors, and utility closets, basements and storage spaces, but not sleeping rooms, closets that open into them, or habitable spaces (IRC R328). Show the location on the floor plan or site plan.
• "Show the energy rating doesn't exceed the limit for its location."Under the IRC, each unit is limited to 20 kWh, and the total to 40 kWh in utility closets, basements and storage spaces, and 80 kWh in garages, on exterior walls or outdoors (IRC R328.5). California's version of the table sets different limits for some locations, so check the code your jurisdiction adopted. List each unit's kWh and the total.
• "Show spacing between units."Units generally need 3 feet between them unless the manufacturer's large-scale fire testing (UL 9540A) supports closer spacing. Dimension it and attach the documentation if you rely on it.
• "Show protection from vehicle impact."In a garage, show bollards or a mounting location out of the vehicle's path where the battery could be hit.
• "Show fire detection."Rooms, basements and attached garages with batteries need smoke alarms, and where a smoke alarm can't be installed, like most garages, a listed heat detector interconnected with the smoke alarms (IRC R328.7). Show them on the plan.
• "Show the backup wiring."Show the battery, transfer equipment and backup loads panel on the single-line diagram, with the working clearances in front of the equipment (NEC 706 and 110.26).

Solar pool heating

• "Provide collector certification and installation instructions."Attach the collector specification sheet, its SRCC OG-100 certification and the manufacturer's installation manual.
• "Show the mounting and hold-down details."Show the hold-down straps or brackets, their spacing per the manufacturer for your wind speed, and how every roof penetration is flashed and sealed.
• "Show the piping and valves."Show the supply and return route from the pool equipment to the array, with the check valve, isolation valves and vacuum relief valve, and how the system drains.
• "Show the collector layout on the roof plan."Draw the collectors to scale with dimensions to roof edges and ridges. If your jurisdiction applies roof access pathways to solar thermal collectors, show them.

More pool and roofing comments are in common plan check corrections.

Avoiding solar corrections

• Check for automated permitting first. If your jurisdiction offers SolarAPP+ and the system qualifies, you may get the permit the same day.
• Use the department's solar checklist or standard plan if it has one, and follow its sheet order.
• Attach a specification sheet for every major component: modules, inverters, optimizers, racking, rapid shutdown devices and batteries.
• Keep the numbers consistent across the roof plan, single-line diagram, calculations and labels: module count, models, breaker sizes and string lengths.
• Check the main panel early. A busbar that won't take the backfeed is one of the most common solar comments, and the fix can change the whole design.

Need the site plan for a solar permit? The free site plan maker draws the house, array and equipment to scale.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• International Code Council: 2021 International Residential Code (Sections R324 solar energy systems and R328 energy storage systems)
• California Energy Commission: Residential Solar Permit Reporting Program (SB 379)
• California Legislature: SB 379 (2022), residential solar energy systems permitting