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A state committee last week recommended measures it thought would help firefighters be safer around rooftop solar panels.

The Oregon Building Codes Division fire access subcommittee recommended that one, three-foot-wide path be provided from the eave, the lowest point of the roof, to the ridge, the highest point, to allow firefighters access. The recommendation is a part of a new state building code for solar installations.

In addition, the committee recommended that access be provided at the ridge for firefighter access, with a one foot path when a photovoltaic system is installed on one side of the ridge, and a total of three feet of access when a PV system is installed on both sides of a ridge.

As a compromise, the Oregon Fire Service said it would not cut holes for ventilation in the south-facing roof, in order to allow more space for solar panels. South-facing roofs are generally the best place for PV installation since they receive the most sunlight.

Though the subcommittee called the recommendation something both builders and the solar industry could support, Andrew Koyaanisqatsi says it’s still to much roof space for the solar industry to give up.

“The recommendation has gone from something horrendous to something less than that,” Koyaanisqatsi said. “Many of my residential systems are two and three kilowatt, and I can barely fit those on a roof right now. The solar industry is such a quiet group and I think some new people don’t understand the consequences of giving up the space.”

The BCD Solar Energy Code Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 14 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Visit for a meeting agenda.