[ Réglementation 2020 ] Photovoltaic ICPE: obligation, supervision and safety

From 8 November 2019, the Energy and climate law has brought its share of changes to the construction of the legislation. Direct consequence, the article L111-18-1 of the urban planning code requires the construction of any building and a socket on the ground greater than 1000 m² The obligation to be provided with a system of energy and thermal performance production on at least 30% of its available surface. This is where photovoltaics play an important role by establishing themselves as an interesting solution.

Among the buildings concerned, those that host a Installation classified for environmental protection (ICPE) It can also be subject to this obligation. But which and in what conditions?

In this article «Photovoltaic Icpe» we tell you everything you need to know:

• Photovoltaic obligation : Which buildings and which sections are interested?
• Management : What orders in force for which ICPE?
• Safety : What requirements for photovoltaic ICPE?

1. Photovoltaic obligation: which ICPE buildings are worried?

From 9 November 2019, an installation classified for environmental protection (ICPE) will be subject to the obligation, among other things, to install a renewable energy production system, if:

• This is a New construction (The law is not retroactive)
• This requires obtaining a construction permit
• Which is or not to a commercial operational authorization
• It is an ICPE built inside a building The hand handle is greater than 1000 m² (Spessors of the walls, additional structures but also parking areas included)

However, there is a list of exclusions that grant an exemption for ICPE in the sections mentioned below:

• 1312, 1416 et 1436
• 2101 to 2150 (in the case of a request for urban planning authorization after 29 February 2020)
• 2160, 2260-1 2311, 2410 et 2565
• 27xx (except 2715, 2720, 2750, 2751 and 2752)
• 3260 et 3460
• 35xx
• 4xxx

They are also considered «out of reach»:

• ICPE with photovoltaic shades separated from the main buildings from an open space greater than 10 meters
• ICPE whose safety devices occupy more than 70% of the roof
• ICPE in the event that the available coverage surface (after the exclusion of all the requested surfaces) proved to be less than 30% of the total roof surface

Does the ICPE building control all these boxes and is not subject to possible exemptions?

This means that you are obliged to equip 30% of the building’s roof surface in favor of the environment with for example, a Photovoltaic installation on the business or construction roof. It is also possible to install photovoltaic shades on parking areas (in accordance with the article L111-18-1 of the urban planning code).

2. The supervision of a photovoltaic ICPE

The design offices, architects and CSR managers often face very dense specifications when it comes to orchestrate the construction of ICPE where a Hardening of security requirements It has been particularly felt in recent years.

But fortunately, photovoltaics quickly adapted to facilitate its insertion in the heart of an ICPE project.

The orders that frame the installation and functioning of photovoltaic electricity within the ICPE are two in number:

These orders list Minimum safety requirements for the prevention of accidental risks within the icpe subject to authorization. This concerns the buildings equipped with photovoltaic installations on their roofs, their facades or even on the ground.

3. Security requirements in the photovoltaic icpe

In fact, the operating conditions will be defined in advance in order to understand the risks involved by the nature of the activity carried out within the building. The presence of a photovoltaic installation will be subject to fairly general requirements since they are common to any building that houses photovoltaic solar panels.

In general, the measures written in the two decrees in force are focused on:

• Fire risk
• Collateral risks of electric shocks and warm

In order to act in the face of these risks, the operator of an ICPE must:

• Write and make technical documents available that would be useful for the intervention by emergency services
• Install an alarm system in each production unit, as well as the related cutting devices.
• Show supervision by correctly protecting the electrical parts: inverter of photovoltaic installation, batteries and other equipment
• Create a visible and obvious report
• Facilitate access to neighboring water points (to promote the intervention of the aid to pump)