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10 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | MAY 2021 | Let's Shed Some Light On Solar Panels The Four Seasons at Hemet Architectural Standards and Regulations (ASR's) outline the requirements for solar panel installation on our homes. First, as a modification to a home, the solar panel installation plans are required to be submitted for review and determination by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The solar installation company typically prepares these plans for review, and includes the position of panels to be added to the roof of the home and the details concerning connection to the electrical panel. The solar panels installation is controlled by the State of California, City of Hemet, and the ASR's. The State of California states that our Home Owner's Association cannot deny the installation of solar panels, however empowers the Association to review and potentially require modifications to the solar panels installation. The City of Hemet requires solar panel installations to be reviewed by the City and requires a building/electrical permit and inspection. As a part of the City review, Fire Department access to, and on the roof, and electrical cut-off equipment are part of their requirements. Finally, the ARC reviews the solar panel installation for aesthetic purposes to maximize the attractiveness of the installation, and minimize visual distractions. For example, the ARC now requires the electrical conduit that connects the solar panels to the home electrical panel to be located within the attic and/or garage to eliminate the placement of unattractive conduit placed upon the roof and exterior walls of the home. Likewise, electrical inverters are required to be located within the solar panels themselves (micro-inverters) or a system inverter to be placed inside the garage. Any necessary exterior equipment, typically a cut-off switch, and minor conduit (not to exceed 12 inches) is required to be painted to match the existing adjacent walls of the home. Installation of solar panels is typically oriented to the greatest sun exposures, typically south or west roof orientations. The ARC prefers the solar panels to be located on the rear or side roof exposures to minimize their appearance from the front of the home. Due to the varied orientation of our homes, however, some homes may have solar panels placed on the front of the home. In these situations, the ARC looks for a logical configuration of solar panels and a (minimum three feet) setback from the front edges of the roof to improve the appearance of the solar panel installation. Your neighbors, nextdoor.com, your friends, or a member of the ARC are NOT THE PROPER SOURCE to determine whether you need an ARC approval. The only correct source to answer any questions regarding these issues is your Architectural Assistant, Maria Donti. IF IN DOUBT, ASK. You can make an appointment to speak with Ms. Donti at The Lodge, call her at (951) 325-8188 or email maria.donti@ fsresidential.com. Thank you for helping us to keep our Four Seasons community safe, quiet, and beautiful. Architectural Review Committee For those of you who use oxygen, are you prepared for an extended power outage? Do you have ample supplies to survive without power for several hours to several days? Now is the time to prepare by contacting suppliers for such an emergency. A good place to start is: https://www.medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers/ results?location=92545&keyword=Oxygen%20Devices%20and%20 Supplies Another source to check with is SCE.com. Until June 30, 2021, you can apply for the Medical Baseline Allowance program without a doctor's signature. A wide range of medical devices are eligible, so qualifying is easier than ever. Apply today and start saving! In the middle of an emergency or disaster it will be difficult to set up accounts and acquire these vital supplies. And don't forget to go to the link fscert.org/pwrdependant/ to register their power/oxygen dependency and to find out their Street Captain contact information. Our Mission: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is designed to increase individual and community preparedness and self-reliance in the event of man-made or natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially recognized CERT as an important part of a community's disaster preparedness readiness. Four Seasons CERT continues to need your participation. Become a Street Captain or CERT Auxiliary. Step up. Be a part of the best CERT in the valley; come make a difference. For more information visit https://fscert.org/cert-volunteer. Learn how to prepare at fscert. org. Plan. Prepare. Survive. You can help yourself. Emergency preparedness committee