When is a PE Stamp Required?
There needs to be more clarity about the PE stamp, which makes it difficult to understand its depth. However, the PE stamp is an essential requirement in solar installation as it shows that licensed and professional engineers have reviewed your designed document or planset, and the documents meet all the safety standards, building codes, and regulations.
In this blog we will explain why the PE stamp matters, when it is required, and the process. So, before getting the PE stamp, let’s get started to understand its details.
What is a PE Stamp?
The PE (Professional Engineering) stamp is essential to solar projects. It ensures the project meets local rules, regulations, and safety standards. Simply put, it’s a “registration seal” on a solar permit provided by professional engineers responsible for the system’s stability.
You can only proceed with your solar system installation once you have a Professional engineer stamp on your solar permit. However, the requirement of a PE stamp depends on the solar system you’re installing and your location.
When is a PE stamp needed?
A PE stamp is a “Seal of approval” provided by a licensed professional engineer. This stamp ensures the solar energy system meets all engineering principles, regulatory requirements, and safety standards. The engineer reviews the solar system’s design and installation to ensure it is well-structured.
This stamp mainly identifies a solar energy system reviewed by professional engineers responsible for its integrity, electrical safety, and compliance with local codes and regulations.
Here’s when a PE stamp is required:
- Large-Scale PV Installations: A PE stamp is required for large-scale projects (Commercial or large residential – over 10kW). It ensures that the planset meets structural and electrical safety standards.
- Structural Modifications: A PE stamp is necessary if any structural change is required in installing solar panels, such as improving the roof to support the solar panel’s weight. In this scenario, professional engineers ensure the changes comply with local building codes and safety standards.
- Complex Installations: Some projects require proper engineer oversight and PE stamp; complicated installations include unique mountings, unusual roof shapes, or systems combined with other systems, such as energy storage.
- Ground-Mounted Systems: A PE stamp is mandatory to ensure the ground-mounting system is strong enough to handle wind and seismic conditions.
PE Stamp Requirement: Location
The requirements for a PE stamp can vary based on your location. For example, if you live in San Anselmo, in case the truss or rafters are over-spanned, or the array is overweight 5 lbs. Psf, then you, it may require a professional engineer stamp.
When is a PE stamp NOT required?
In some situations, you don’t require a PE stamp. These can be the situation when you can complete your solar panel installation process:
- Standard Residential Installations: A PE stamp is only required for common residential rooftop solar installations (usually under 10kW) if the installation requires no structural changes and follows the proper guidelines.
- Pre-Engineered System: Some PV systems come with pre-engineered mounting systems that have been pre-approved by the city. In such cases, you might not require a PE stamp if you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and local codes.
- Simple Installations: A PE stamp is not required when the existing structure adheres to local building codes and the installation is simple.
This stamp means that your design meets all the requirements and regulations, has been reviewed by PE, and they’ve taken responsibility for any engineering aspects of the project.
Process of getting a PE stamp?
Once you’re getting a professional stamp, these are the steps that this process usually takes:
- Engineering Review: Professional engineers review the document to ensure it meets all relevant regulations and codes. They review designed documents, including structural plans, electrical diagrams, and calculations (e.g., wind, snow, or seismic loads).
- Corrections and Revisions: Engineers will work on revisions after reviewing the document. If any changes are required or issues are found, such as design corrections, requiring different materials, or adding safety features, engineers will coordinate with the design team to make necessary changes.
- Stamping: Lastly, when the design document meets all the standards and requirements, the PE will approve it with a stamp and sign it.
Reasons why you should get a PE stamp.
PE stamps are mandatory for any project that could harm the public or the Environment, and there are reasons why you should get one.
You will require a PE stamp for the solar installation process. The professionals will need to verify that the roof structure can support the additional load of the solar panels, as well as factors such as wind load, snow load, and seismic activity.
Having a stamp on your design documents is crucial because it ensures that professionals review them. PE reviews electrical and structural design and calculations and finalizes the document to ensure it meets all the requirements, regulations, and standards.
Before providing a stamp, professional engineers check the structural design of your solar project and ensure it adheres to building, fire, and electrical codes. These safety considerations play an important role in the safety of that specific project.
The PE stamp isn’t all about regulations, requirements, and document review; it also checks the solar installation’s safety, integrity, and compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
Myths about PE stamps (Solar Installation)
PE stamps play a major role in projects related to public safety, such as – automotive, bridge design, inspection, aviation etc., PV installation also requires professional stamps to proceed the further steps. However, there are some of the misconceptions about it and here it is:
- PE Stamp vs Contractor Approval: These two terms are different from each other, while PE stamp is responsible for the engineering design whereas contractors manage the installation part.
- All Engineers Can Stamp PV System: NO, this isn’t true. Only engineers with the appropriate license and expertise in PV systems are qualified to stamp PV system design.
How Solaroot Can Help You?
Solaroot Engineering Service Pvt. Ltd is a company that eases the installation of solar panels by delivering top-rate services, including design proposals, PV plansets, stamping, and DIY consultancy. If you’re looking for a one-stop solution to get multiple services in one place, then it’s best to consider Solaroot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a PE stamp on your PV planset ensures that it’s been reviewed by professionals and shows that it meets all safety and necessity requirements. Professional engineers stamp is one of the regulatory requirements for installing solar panels. However, depending on the size of project and your local AHJs requirements it can vary if you need to get stamps or not, so before proceeding with make sure to check every detail of your local regulatory requirements.
I hope you find this blog helpful. We will share more information in our upcoming blogs. In the meantime, you can stay connected with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. The solar panel designs require a PE stamp to ensure they meet safety and building standards. Also, depending on the project size and complexity, you need professionals to review when connecting to the power grid. Check the local rules and regulations if your solar project needs a PE stamp.
Ans. To get a PE stamp for your PV permit design, hire a professional engineer (PE) and wait for them to review your design to ensure it complies with all regulations. Once compliant, PE will stamp your design.
Ans. The cost of a PE stamp can vary depending on the project's location, size, and complexity. However, it can cost anywhere from $44 to $200 Hourly. For an accurate quote, consider contacting local professional engineers or firms. You can also contact any installers as they have connections in the industry.
Ans. Yes, a professional engineering (PE) stamp is one of the crucial steps when installing solar. However, depending on the requirement depends on the local building codes and regulations.
Ans. Getting a permit for solar installation depends on the type of solar system installed and your location. For example - in rural areas, you will hardly need a solar permit (Off-grid system).
