Treepublic Best Practices Site

Best Practices to Optimize Solar when designing and Building a Home
Design it Right & DESIGN IT EARLY.
Orient roof planes strategically
Maximize peak time production (typically afternoon) with south and west facing roof planes to generate greater income and insulate from rising energy costs.
Use LIDAR-based software tools
Help minimize wasted roof real estate.
Design mechanical obstructions carefully
Position HVAC units, roof vents and pipes to maximize available revenue-generating roof space, noting many obstructions require 3-foot minimum setbacks.
Plan for battery storage
Allow enough wall space inside or outside the garage to hold batteries with a 3-foot clearance from doors, windows, major appliances, gas meters, and other batteries, etc.
The design on the left: well-thought out and provides adequate surface area for both a PV and solar thermal system that will shield the end user from rising electricity and natural gas costs. 
The design on the right: resulted in only a 28% energy offset and the following comment from the gentleman who bought the home: "Assume there aren't any good ways to expand the system at this point, correct?" Unfortunately, he was right.                                         
DO:
DON'T:
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Plan for a solar-friendly roof
Heat resistance and thermal conductivity
The solar panel roofing should have good heat resistance to protect the solar panels from excessive heat and prevent any thermal damage. Solar panel efficiency decreases above temperatures of 77°F (25°C ), so selecting solar panel roofing with low thermal conductivity boosts the energy output of the solar panels.
Weight-bearing capacity and structural integrity
Strong enough for the extra weight to ensure that the roof is strong enough for the solar panels and equipment and allow for future expansion.
Durability and lifespan
Solar panels last 25-30 years, so a longer-life roof is ideal. Metal roofs are a standout option for roofing and solar installations, favored for their durability, longevity, and eco-friendly properties.
Compatibility with installation and maintenance
It's ideal if the solar installers can walk on the roof without damaging it.
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Pre-install conduit
DO:
Use EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) or FMC (Flexible Metallic Conduit) typically, inside the building envelope to avoid the unnecessary eyesore of an exterior conduit run.
DON'T:
Forgot to add solar in the original building plans. Came in as an afterthought when the builder realized new construction, Under CA Title 24 now requires it.
Featured Treepublic new construction integration photos:
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New Construction Solar Integration  📸
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Planning for the future
Evaluating electrical load schedules to properly size solar and battery systems.                                                
DO:   
Click image to enlarge.
DON'T:
Don't guess your load!
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Planning for the future
Electric Vehicles
Plan space for charging cars in garages or under solar covered carports
Heat Pumps
Prepare for transition from gas to electric heating systems
Electric Appliances
Electric stoves, pool heaters and bbq grills will replace natural gas
Increased Capacity
Add extra solar panels for current or future electric appliances
Plan for future electric appliances and cars - this means increased demand - with more people moving towards heat pumps and electric vehicles, the demand for electricity will increase. Electric stoves, pool heaters and bbq grills will replace the need for natural gas. Plan space for charging cars in garages or under solar covered carports on the driveway and add extra solar panels for electric appliances now or in the future. Read the LA Times story here about converting from gas to electric appliances.
We analyze load schedules and inquire about potential future loads like EV chargers, electric oversize electrical fittings/wire as needed, and project optimal system size based on real data.
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Pre-installation Rooftop Work
DO:
Pre-install flashings on roof underlayment to maximize waterproofing on virtually every roof type:
Click below for more photo examples:
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Reroofing with Solar  📸
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DON'T:
Integrating footings in new construction eliminates the possibility of guesswork in finding structural members.  The image above shows missed rafter due to inaccurate post construction retrofitting, which could create situations like the image above. 
Our team fixes these types of issues left behind by other companies.
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Preparation for batteries
Specify essential electrical loads
Include in battery backup panels: account for potential extra circuits/loads
Pre-install emergency load subpanels
Prepare wire for battery backup system integration during construction
Oversize conduit
Futureproof to reduce chances of missed loads (gate keypad, alarm system, garage door, etc.)
                                           
 DO:
 DON'T:
Retrofitting batteries post-construction, while doable and commonplace, can be messier and add unnecessary cost (opening up drywall/exterior walls and unnecessarily exposing electrical conduit)
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Pre-trench for projects on separate structures or for ground mount systems:
DO:
Pre-trenching during construction saves time and prevents landscape damage
DON'T:
Opening up unnecessary trench post-construction, as shown above, is avoidable with the proper foresight provided by a professional team
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DO: Start early to avoid delays. 
Contact us today and we will gladly review your plans at no cost and provide feedback to ensure you meet your solar requirements.
Check out some more of our featured projects:
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Aerial Photos of Treepublic Projects  📸
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Headquarters: 3521 Jack Northrop Ave., Hawthorne CA 90250
West LA Office: 2337 Roscomare Road, Suite 11, Bel Air CA 90077
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