Calabasas, CA · June – September 2022 · Southern California Edison / City of Calabasas
Planning first, Building and Safety second, and a new panel instead of a derate
The house already had 23 modules. Eight more brought it to 31 on microinverters, and a new 200-amp panel replaced the de-rate in the original plans. Both finals passed on 22 August 2022.
This Calabasas system is 31 Silfab SIL-340-NL modules, 10.54 kW, on Enphase IQ7PLUS microinverters over a red S-tile roof: the house already had 23 modules, and eight more of the same model were added. Cali Energy took the zoning clearance from the Planning Division and the permits from Building and Safety, replaced the service panel instead of de-rating the main breaker, passed both finals on 22 August 2022, and SCE granted permission to operate on 16 September 2022.
At a glance
- System
- 31 × Silfab SIL-340-NL, 10.54 kW
- Microinverters
- Enphase IQ7PLUS, one per module
- Roof
- Red S-tile
- Service
- New 200 A panel, overhead service
- Zoning clearance
- 11 July 2022
- Both finals passed
- 22 August 2022
- SCE permission to operate
- 16 September 2022
The story
This was a returning customer. The house already carried 23 Silfab 340 W modules, and in June 2022 eight more of the same model were found to match them. The permitted design is 31 Silfab SIL-340-NL modules, 10.54 kW, each with an Enphase IQ7PLUS microinverter. Matching the model is the first rule of adding panels to an existing system.
In Calabasas the first stop for rooftop solar is the Planning Division, and its application carries the property owner's signature. The zoning clearance was approved on 11 July, and the same day the solar application went to Building and Safety.
The plans de-rated the main breaker to 175 amps to make room for the solar breaker. On 13 July plan check asked for the load calculation behind that de-rate, and it went back the same afternoon. On 14 July the plans were approved and the permit was issued to Cali Energy as the licensed contractor.
In August the plan changed. SCE approved the existing meter location for a 200-amp panel on overhead service on 9 August, the electrical permit for the panel was issued on the 10th, and on the 11th the homeowner chose to replace the panel rather than de-rate the main breaker. The new panel went into an opening cut in the stucco that evening, and the solar permit was revised to match. When a de-rate is enough and when a panel is not is set out in when solar needs a panel upgrade.
The revised solar permit was approved on 18 August and issued on the 19th. On 22 August the inspector signed off both the electrical permit for the panel and the solar permit, and both were finaled.
The interconnection application went to SCE on 24 August under an agreement for systems over 10 kW. SCE assigned an engineer for a technical review on 12 September, completed it the same day without witnessing the commissioning test, and granted permission to operate on 16 September 2022: 25 days after the finals.
How it ran
| 11 July 2022 | Planning Division approves the zoning clearance |
|---|---|
| 13 July 2022 | Load calculation supplied the day plan check asked |
| 14 July 2022 | Plans approved; solar permit issued |
| 9–10 August 2022 | SCE approves the meter location; panel permit issued |
| 11 August 2022 | New 200 A panel installed instead of the de-rate |
| 19 August 2022 | Revised solar permit issued |
| 22 August 2022 | Both finals passed |
| 16 September 2022 | SCE grants permission to operate |
Finals to permission to operate: 25 days.
What we did
- Matched the existing modules with eight more of the same model.
- Took the zoning clearance from the Planning Division.
- Supplied the load calculation the same day plan check asked for it.
- Replaced the service panel and set it into the stucco wall.
- Revised the solar permit to match the new panel.
- Passed both finals and saw the SCE application through to PTO.
System specifications
| Modules | 31 × Silfab SIL-340-NL, 340 W |
|---|---|
| System size | 10.54 kW |
| Microinverters | Enphase IQ7PLUS, one per module |
| Roof | Red S-tile |
| Service panel | New 200 A, overhead service, existing meter location |
| Utility / AHJ | Southern California Edison / City of Calabasas |
Is your project like this one?
- You already have solar and want to add modules.
- You live in Calabasas and wonder why Planning comes first.
- You were told a main breaker de-rate would work.
- Your system will go over 10 kW.
- You have an S-tile roof.
Cali Energy in Calabasas
Calabasas is its own city in Los Angeles County: rooftop solar there goes through the City of Calabasas Planning Division and then Building and Safety, and interconnection through Southern California Edison.
Calabasas is its own city, and rooftop solar there passes two desks: the Planning Division issues a zoning clearance first, and only then does Building and Safety review the plans. The grid side belongs to Southern California Edison.
- License and classifications: CSLB #1032379
- Official reference for this process: Southern California Edison — Net Energy Metering
- Official reference for this process: Enphase — installer documentation
Frequently asked questions
Why did this Calabasas solar project go to the Planning Division first?
Because in Calabasas rooftop solar starts with a zoning clearance from the Planning Division, on an application signed by the property owner. On this project the clearance was approved on 11 July 2022, and the solar application went to Building and Safety the same day.
Why was the panel replaced instead of de-rating the main breaker?
The approved plans first de-rated the main breaker to 175 amps. In August the homeowner chose a new 200-amp panel instead: SCE approved the existing meter location, the panel permit was issued, and the solar permit was revised to match before the finals.
How long did SCE take to grant permission to operate?
Twenty-five days from the finals. Both finals passed on 22 August 2022, the application went to SCE on 24 August, the technical review was completed on 12 September, and permission to operate came on 16 September.
Does Cali Energy add to existing solar systems in Calabasas?
Yes. On this Calabasas house Cali Energy added eight modules to the 23 already on the roof, took the zoning clearance and both permits, replaced the service panel and handled the SCE interconnection through to permission to operate. License CSLB #1032379.
What this would look like on your roof
Planning solar in Calabasas? Tell us your utility, your roof and what your bill looks like now, and we will model what a system like this would do on your house before you commit to anything.
Or call +1 (323) 844-7777 · Cali Energy, Northridge · CSLB #1032379 (B, C-10, C-39) — design, permits, install and electrical under one licensed contractor.
Related
Updated October 2026.