Photovoltaics in the project is a topic that increasingly appears already at the stage of the initial concept of the house. And rightly so. Including PV installations in the design documentation can not only reduce future electricity bills, but also increase the energy efficiency of the building and even facilitate obtaining subsidies. But do photovoltaic panels have to be designed already at the permit stage? And what exactly does that mean?
The inclusion of a photovoltaic system in a construction project involves conscious planning of its elements - from the location of the panels, through the course of the electrical installation, to the installation location of the inverter. It's not just about the drawing on the roof - the design should also take into account the installation culverts, the correct orientation of the roof slab and possible shading. This will avoid costly rework or technical limitations that may arise if the installation decision is made only after the construction is completed.
Is it necessary to include photovoltaics in the design of the house? From a legal point of view - not always. PV installations up to 50 kW, mounted on residential buildings, do not require a separate permit or notification. But in practice, more and more local plans or decisions on building conditions contain provisions on the use of renewable energy sources. Moreover, the presence of photovoltaics can improve the energy performance of a building and facilitate obtaining an energy certificate that meets the requirements of WT 2021. It is also one of the conditions when applying for grants from programs such as “My Power” or “Clean Air”.
Where is the best place to put PV panels in a new home? Most often, the southern or southwestern slope of the roof is chosen, with a suitable slope and without shading. If the roof does not allow for effective installation, it is worth considering an above-ground installation - provided that it is included in the landscaping. A good design should provide for such flexibility. For larger installations (e.g. over 6.5 kW), additional documentation may be required, and sometimes also an agreement with a fire expert.
Imagine: the investor completes the construction of the house and decides to install PV panels. It turns out that the roof has too small a working surface, the electrical box does not have free circuits, and the place for the inverter is located right next to the living room. Installation is possible, but requires rework, and costs increase. Meanwhile, it was enough to mark several key elements in the project in advance and avoid the problem.
Is a project with photovoltaics more expensive? Not necessarily. A small modification of the documentation is a small cost, especially compared to the subsequent expenses due to lack of planning. Importantly, you do not need to assemble the installation right away, but it is worthwhile to have the infrastructure prepared “for the future”.
