Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1101 Haynes Street, Suite 207 | Raleigh, NC 27604 | 919.821.7146| www.NV5.com August 18, 2025 Via Email Mr. Evan Becka Pisgah Energy 53 Ashland Ave, Suite 103 Asheville, NC 28801 Re: Orange County – Hillsborough, NC Cedar Grove Community Center – Solar Structural Evaluation NV5 Project No. 2025375.00 Dear Mr. Becka: As arranged, NV5 Engineers & Consultants (NV5) visited the above noted site on August 18, 2025. The purpose of our visit was to review the structural framing system and condition of the subject building to evaluate its ability to support the proposed rooftop PV panel assemblies specified by Pisgah Energy. The proposed solar assemblies are depicted in a Helioscope document for this building, provided by Pisgah Energy and dated September 8, 2025. No original structural drawings were available for this building, which was reportedly constructed in the 1950’s. The existing structure mostly consists of a bar joist roof system with a monoslope built-up roof. The existing gym structure consists of a steel truss system with a monoslope built-up roof. The building also includes a small mechanical/electrical room with air handling units on the roof. A visual inspection of the existing roof framing revealed no signs of distress or deterioration in the supporting structure. It is our professional opinion that the building structure appears to be in good condition. The proposed ballasted panels are understood to be mounted to the roof structure with an assumed weight of 5.2 pounds per square foot. For the proposed PV panel building loads, the existing structural framing was evaluated based on Section 1607.12.5 of the 2018 North Carolina Building Code, and Section 402.3 of the 2018 NCSBC Existing Building Code. Calculations show that the proposed loading condition does not increase the design gravity load by more than 10%. When this is the case, the existing gravity load-carrying members are not required to be strengthened, supplemented, replaced, or altered. Based on the assessments noted above, it is our professional opinion that the proposed solar panel assemblies may be installed without any modifications to the existing structural system. We appreciate the chance to assist Pisgah Energy and Orange County with this project. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Joseph Thompson, PE North Carolina Licensed Professional Engineer #32612 Docusign Envelope ID: 3D209D6C-CAC0-4B97-9944-713945EC1CFBDocusign Envelope ID: CF064D56-F89A-8651-8229-D168AFF8B909