This is the cause of the extra expense. And yes it has no permits.
The black rail has been raised 6" in order to clear the condensate drain pipe. There will be a 6" spacer placed at each of the pucks that support the panels.
Here you can see the normal height of the black rail as it is installed without the 6' spacer.
This solar company is one of the best out there for clean installations. That is primarily due to the rack system that they install.... and only they because the solar company owns the rack system company.
The condensate drain pipe could have been rerouted with one 45° bend. It would have still drained to the side yard and not been noticeable. For that matter, if the 2"x4"s were removed the panels might have missed the pipe. However, the installers didn't know what the pipe was for and they are trained to not touch much of what they find on a roof. The reality is that even though they will needlesly waste materials and labor on this installation, in the long run it's cheaper than letting them make field decisions to screw with stuff.
In the third picture which shows the rail without the 6" spacers there is a conduit that will be in contact with the panels because they didn't install the 6" spacers. I pointed that out and they said that they will install the spacers. I didn't suggest that they reroute the conduit for the obvious reason that they are not qualified to perform electrical work.
Neither the conduit or the condensate drain pipe are fixed in place. The conduit is sliding downhill and there is a 10° bend at the fitting.
As an aside, I noticed the service drop has a problem. I have not seen an armored cable used as a service drop before today. The Chinese finger trap has broken.
Is the conduit for the HVAC a bit too small for the roof jack....or is the roof jack a bit too large for the conduit? Oh well there's plenty wrong with the HVAC but I can't go there since this is solar that got me on the roof in the first place. The roof hasn't sagged and apparently the breakers are holding.
Our policy is to not go looking for trouble.
How ironic is that? I have a poor reputation as a rigid enforcer. That stems from the volume of corrections that I write. The truth of the matter is that I overlook damned near as many violations as I write.
Alrighty then, I admit that I should probably delve into the HVAC installation and write corrections. Maybe even make them get a permit...or three. But gosh I would get called on the carpet for stirring up a mess. I was standing on that carpet a couple times last week as it was.
I will call Edison about the service drop and I did cite them for no barrier around the swimming pool. I am surprised that I don't get in trouble for that.
The thing with the pool happens several times each week and some inspectors never run into it....ever. How lucky is that? I would be pleased as punch to never run into another pool barrier violation. That always stirs up a storm. Nobody likes hearing that their fence and gate must be corrected. "And why now?" "It's been like that for years." "Nobody said anything when the roof was replaced....the furnace was replaced....you name it." "What's your name?" "Who's your supervisor?" "You stay off my property." I had a nasty female tell me that I am a bitter person that's out to pick on successful people like her. Bitter, she said bitter.
Hold on lady, simmer down and understand that I will not make you do anything about the violation. The policy is to notify you of the violation and place a copy of the notice of violation in the file for your address. That way if a neighbor's toddler drowns in your pool we are out of reach because we informed you of the violation.
I go through all that BS and do nothing about the violation. The AHJ doesn't care if a kid drowns as long as the AHJ can't be sued. I am not aware of this policy being put to the test but I think it will fail to exonerate the AHJ. If it came before me as a judge I would make them remove the word Authority from AHJ....and punish to the greatest extent possible.
The rope tied service drop passes right over the pool.
By the proximity of the pool to the P/L I'm guessing that medium voltage lines pass over the pool as well. Could it be that there is no permit for the pool? Did Edison allow the pool in their easement?
Wow, I could be in a ton of trouble with this one.