City of Albany (NY)

Codes

NEC Code Version

2023

Code List

2025 NEW YORK STATE BUILDING CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTIAL CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE FIRE CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE EXISTING BUILDING CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE FUEL GAS CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE MECHANICAL CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE PLUMBING CODE

2025 NEW YORK STATE ENERGY STANDARD FOR SITES AND BUILDINGS EXCEPT LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

2023 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

IEBC Accepted

1

ASCE Code Specification

ASCE 7-16

SolarAPP+ & submittal

SolarAPP+ Status

Targeted

Any SolarAPP+ Restrictions

1

SolarAPP+ Restrictions

MPU,Derate

How Many Plansets Required

2

Revision Required

0

New Planset Required For Module Swap

0

Stamps

Wet Stamps Required

None

Structural Calculations Required

No

Stamp Location On Plans

Unspecified

Date On Stamps

Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced

0

Setback Notes

Standard

Structural & loads

Wind Speed

115

Wind Notes

Exposure Category B

Snow Load

50

Reducible Snow Load Allowed

1

Max Attachment Spacing

96

Structural Notes

No PE required

Minimum Ground On Roof

#10

Electrical

Electrical Load Calcs Required

Derates

Allowed POI

Meter Adapter,Load Side Taps,PV Breaker,Line Side Taps

Panel Schedule Required

Partial Home Backup

Temperature Rating

90

De Rating Ampacity

0.91

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed

0

ESS Notes

Standard

Separate ESS Disconnect Required

ESS Disconnect

ESS Elevation Detail Required

No

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements

Electrical load calcs required for ALL projects. (even for MPU) Classification Tier 1 Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems Building-Integrated Solar Energy Systems Tier 2 Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Systems with system capacity up to [25] kW AC and that generate no more than [110] % of the electricity consumed on the site over the previous [12] months OR Tier 2 Solar Energy Systems include Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Systems with a total surface area of all solar panels on the lot of up to [4,000] square feet and that generate up to [110] % of the electricity consumed on the site over the previous [12] months. Tier 3 Systems that are not included in the list for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Solar Energy Systems. Permitting Requirements Tier 1 Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems shall incorporate, when feasible, the following design requirements Solar Panels on pitched roofs shall be mounted with a maximum distance of [8] inches between the roof surface the highest edge of the system. Solar Panels on pitched roofs shall be installed parallel to the roof surface on which they are mounted or attached. * Solar Panels on pitched roofs shall not extend higher than the highest point of the roof surface on which they are mounted or attached. * Solar Panels on flat roofs shall not extend above the top of the surrounding parapet, or more than [24] inches above the flat surface of the roof, whichever is higher. Glare: All Solar Panels shall have anti-reflective coating(s). Height: All Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems shall comply with the height limitations in Appendix 3. OR All Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems shall be subject to the maximum height regulations specified for principal and accessory buildings within the underlying zoning district. Solar PV System Design Issues 2.1 - Arrays Residents planning to remove trees to increase solar access should clearly mark the trees on construction documents submitted with their permit application. When a house does not have a clear south-facing roof, contractors can install on garages, outbuildings, or in the ground. Find out more on pg 20 section 2.1 of handbook in files section 2.3 System Sizing and Equipment Selection At residential sites the NEC limits the maximum DC string voltage to 600 volts 2.7 Wind and Snow Loads Snow- between 40 and 50 check files tab Wind- 115 **check files tab Design Review of Construction Documents Permit application must include: site plan, electrical wiring diagram, a structural analysis, and specification sheets for the modules, inverter, and racking system 3.1 Site Plan Construction document prepared and stamped by a New York State licensed professional engineer or registered architect, who incorporated the following into system design. please see files tab for checklist 3.2 Electrical Diagram Electrical wiring diagram prepared and stamped by a New York State-licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, who incorporated the following into system design. please see files tab for checklist 3.3 Structural Analysis Structural analysis prepared and stamped by a New York State licensed professional engineer or registered architect, who incorporated the following into their review. Please see files tab for checklist Structural Calculations Calculations must be provided if any of the following apply: Roofing is not lightweight, or roof has multiple layers of covering. Racking system is not engineered for mounting of solar PV modules. Modules will be mounted more than 18 inches above roof surface. Modifications must be made to framing to strengthen roof structure. Solar electric system and racking will add more than 5 pounds per square foot to dead load, or more than 45 pounds per attachment point, calculated as follows: Total weight of solar PV modules, racking, and mounting hardware __________pounds. Total number of attachment points to roof __________. Weight per attachment point (A · B) __________pounds. Total area of solar PV array __________square feet. Distributed weight of solar PV array on roof (A · D) __________pounds/square foot.

Site

Attachment Detail

Solar Panels on pitched roofs shall be mounted with a maximum distance of 8 inches between the roof surface the highest edge of the system. Solar Panels on pitched roofs shall be installed parallel to the roof surface on which they are mounted or attached. Solar Panels on pitched roofs shall not extend higher than the highest point of the roof surface on which they are mounted or attached. Solar Panels on flat roofs shall not extend above the top of the surrounding parapet, or more than 24 inches above the flat surface of the roof, whichever is higher. All roof penetrations are properly flashed and sealed per NYS Uniform Code and NEC 110.3(b) Lag bolts are properly installed, not over torqued deforming the flashing Photos must illustrate adequate flashing and sealing of racking attachments, that no vents or pipes are obstructed, and that roof is free of damage. For flat roofs, photos must include example of how vertical posts are secured to roof. Roof penetrations must be sealed and flashed to prevent moisture problems

Electrical Diagram

Electrical wiring diagram prepared and stamped by a New York State-licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, who incorporated the following into system design. Solar electric module array information - number of modules in series, number of strings. Quantity, make, and model of UL-listed solar PV modules. All conductor types, ratings, and conduit type (if applicable). Solar electric source circuit conductors are solar PV wire (NEC 690.31(B)) Max voltage of 600 VDC (NEC 690.7(C)) (1,000 VDC wire may be used on 600 VDC systems) Rating (voltage and current) for all disconnects. Voltage drop is minimized (NEC 210.19(A)Informational Note No. 4). Provision for Rapid Shutdown per NEC 690.12. Using microinverters or string inverters with DC Power optimizers is one way of meeting this requirement. DC disconnect is present (may be integral to inverter) (NEC 690.13). Quantity, make, and model of UL-listed inverter provided. AC disconnect appropriately sized for inverter output (NEC 690.8(A)(3), 690.8(B)(1)). Conductor type, rating, and conduit type (if applicable) provided for all conductors. If supply-side connection, meets all requirements of NEC 705.12(A), including: Service-rated AC disconnect specified, at least 60 amps, with appropriate overcurrent protection device. If breaker used, must meet or exceed utility fault current kAIC rating. Conductors between disconnect and point of interconnection are sized at least 60 amps (#6 or larger). Supply side connection made between main service panel’s main disconnect and utility meter. If load side connection, meets all requirements of NEC 705.12(B), including: Inverter output connection is made at a dedicated circuit breaker or fusible disconnect. The sum of 125% of the inverter(s) output current plus the main circuit breaker rating must be less than or equal to 120% of the bus or cable rating (NEC 705.12(B)(3)(b)). Backfed breaker located at opposite end of busbar from main breaker (NEC 705.12(B)(2)(1)). Equipment grounding conductor (EGC) present at all components likely to become energized, and sized according to NEC 250.122. If not using an isolated/ungrounded/transformer-less inverter, grounding electrode conductor (GEC) present and continuous from inverter to service disconnect, sized according to NEC 250.66 If load side connection, meets all requirements of NEC 705.12(B), including: Inverter output connection is made at a dedicated circuit breaker or fusible disconnect. The sum of 125% of the inverter(s) output current plus the main circuit breaker rating must be less than or equal to 120% of the bus or cable rating (NEC 705.12(B)(3)(b)) MSP Sum of back feed breaker(s) and main breaker must be less than or equal to 120% of busbar rating Sum of the main OCPD and the inverter OCPD is rated for not more than 120% of the buss bar rating

Label Page

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required

Mesh/Scrim

Ground Mount Notes

The exposed conductors on the back side of a ground-mounted array must be guarded or located at least eight feet above ground.

Ground-mounted arrays are also subject to large wind forces. Detailed calculations are required to determine the exact amount of pressure for which systems should be designed.

When designing a ground-mounted system, the designer must account for soil conditions.