Solar Panels

[chavezproperties]

I am remodeling a 50 year old house,Complete rewire,the inspector failed me,he said I need to put a separate rigid pipe penetration thru the roof for future use of solar power panels, my understanding is that that only pertains to new construction. What do I do now.

JC

 

[charlie b]

We have to tread carefully here. This site is intended for use by electricians, electrical contractors, inspectors, engineers, and others who make their living from the electrical industry. We are not allowed to provide support for persons who are not electricians, and who are doing their own electrical installation work. We are required, by the forum's owner, to close any thread that is started by a Do-It-Yourself electrical installer.

But for the moment, at least, I will allow this thread to remain open. You did not ask for assistance in performing or designing an electrical installation. So let's keep the discussion focused on code issues.

My response is that I know of no requirement in the NEC that any building, new or existing, include provisions for the future installation of anything. If there is a requirement that a pipe be installed, in order to facilitate the future installation of a solar panel, that requirement does not come from the NEC. I suggest asking the inspector to give you the chapter and verse of the code requirement he is using to fail your installation. If he can come up with one, it is more likely to be a local electrical code or a building code.

 

[ultramegabob]

ask him for a code reference, if he gives you one that supports what he wants you to do, then your hands are tied, if he cannot give you a reference he cant really enforce it....

 

[dereckbc]

Unless this is some local admendment, there is no NEC requirement. Ask for the code reference. My guess he will not be able to cite one.

 

[acrwc10]

I am remodeling a 50 year old house,Complete rewire,the inspector failed me,he said I need to put a separate rigid pipe penetration thru the roof for future use of solar power panels, my understanding is that that only pertains to new construction. What do I do now.

JC

Give it to him it is cheap, easy, and may give pay back down the road. It's not like he wants you to install the whole solar system. Consider it a selling point "prept. for future solar installation".
You state it is required on "NEW" houses, most city's consider any remodel work over a % to be the same as new and require total upgrade.