Governments implement certain guidelines to improve safety and avoid disasters from crumbling buildings. These measures go beyond protecting human life — they also prevent environmental degradation from leaking chemicals. However, individuals and businesses must understand how they can impact desired improvements like clean energy conversions. What role do structural codes play in encouraging or inhibiting its growth?
When Adding Solar to Existing Structures
People envisioning a clean energy future often picture rows of suburban homes topped with solar panels dotting the landscape. While converting to solar results in considerable savings for consumers, it entails an initial expenditure that prompts many to wait until their roof needs replacement.
Some businesses and homeowners may receive an unwelcome surprise when the big day arrives. When adding solar to existing buildings, structural codes demand that installers cannot exceed what engineers originally designed the property to support. These guidelines prevent roof overload, but various jurisdictions enforce them differently:
- Some authorities are rigid, applying specific rules to the maximum spacing and placement of PV supports.
- Other authorities are more flexible. For example, they may set a weight threshold with no additional requirements for improvements beneath that limit.
Installers must also inspect current property conditions and address any existing structural issues. The following warning signs of a crumbling foundation can preclude solar installations until the owner cures the defect:
- Leaning chimneys
- Disconnection around garage doors and entryways
- Cracks in foundation
- Sinking porches and stoops
- Sagging floors
- Cracks or bowing in interior walls
- Moldy or musty-smelling basements
Unfortunately, remedying such defects can add thousands of dollars to the original estimate for solar installation. As a result, owners must decide how to best budget limited dollars, which could delay their sustainability goals until they raise the requisite funds.
However, addressing these concerns is vital to protecting human health and safety. For example, cracked walls admit moisture, which can spark electrical fires. Mold can cause disease in vulnerable individuals and unpleasant symptoms like headaches, even among healthy folks.
When Incorporating Solar Into New Construction
Incorporating solar into new construction presents considerably fewer structural code impacts than integrating it into existing structures. Architects can design buildings to support the necessary hardware from the get-go.
The challenge with new construction is twofold: selling consumers on the benefits and educating them on how to care for solar installations. The first is relatively easy. The allure of saving money on monthly utility bills talks to the wallets of the most determined climate change skeptics.
However, many people don’t realize that such systems require routine maintenance. Fortunately, caring for panels poses little challenge — a little soapy water on a soft cloth once or twice a year does the trick. Many homeowners coordinate such chores with their gutter cleaning to make remembering them easier. Still, they could grow frustrated if they see their energy savings drop without realizing dirty panels are to blame.
Commercial Solar Applications
Jurisdictions vary in their residential and commercial building codes. However, the International Building Code (IBC) refers to all structures, including single and two-family dwelling units like townhomes and commercial skyscrapers.
Many exciting developments promise to expand solar in commercial applications. For example, imagine the clean energy benefits of converting walls of skyscraper windows into solar panels, a dream now made possible by new technologies. Manufacturers must comply with existing structural codes when designing such products for widespread use, but once completed, they could power entire downtowns.
The Impact of Structural Codes on Solar Growth
Structural codes exist to protect human life and the environment by establishing minimum standards for building design. Although designed with safety in mind, they present additional challenges for solar growth.
Combining consumer education with improved manufacturing and construction techniques can spur solar growth while protecting safety. Knowing how structural codes may impact installation helps people better budget for sustainability.