What are the new California requirements regarding fire classifications?

All  PV systems permitted after January 1, 2015 in California are required to be tested, listed, and identified with a fire classification per UL 1703.

Until recently, fire ratings of rooftop PV systems were determined by the rating of the PV modules as stand alone components.  UL 1703 revised the fire classification requirements and now evaluates flammability characteristics of the "PV system" which includes the PV module, roof rack, and the roof.  

Roofs are classified for fire resistance using a scale of A, B, C or unclassified. Class A roofs are the most fire resistant and are frequently required in areas sensitive to wild fires particularly in "Wildland Urban Interfaces" or WUI's. In some cases, entire jurisdictions like Oakland have mandated all residential structures have class A roofs. The UL 1703 fire classification requirements: 

Class A Roofs:
Buildings and structures requiring Class A roofs must use PV systems (PV panels with the rack support system) that have been tested, listed and identified with Class A fire classification in accordance with UL 1703.

Class B Roofs:
Buildings and structures requiring Class B roofs must use PV systems that have been tested, listed and identified with either a Class A or Class B fire classification in accordance with UL 1703.

Class C Roofs:
Until October 2016, the California State Fire Marshal mandates that buildings and structures requiring Class C roofs use modules or systems that meet one of the following UL fire ratings:- Use PV modules having a Class C rating under the previous version of UL 1703 (2002 edition with revisions through April 2008)
- Use PV modules having a having a Class C rating complying with UL 790 (2004 edition with revisions through October 2008)
- Use PV systems that have been tested and listed for Class A, Class B, or Class C fire rating per the most recent version of UL 1703 (2002 edition with revisions through October 2013)

Module "Typing" for Fire Classification
The new UL 1703 fire classification developed a system of "typing" PV modules. There are 15 types of modules, and many module manufacturers have already classified their modules accordingly. 
Racking systems do not require fire testing with every make and model of PV module used with their racking systems. If a PV rack with a "type 1" module achieves a Class A fire rating, the installer can use any other "type 1" module and retain the fire classification.
Panel manufacturers that have completed fire classification testing include (click on links below):
Canadian Solar
Chint
Hanwha
Hyundai
ITS Innotech
Kyocera
LG
Mitsubishi
REC and another one by REC
Renesola
SolarWorld
SunEdison
Suniva and another one by Suniva
Sunpower

Fire classified PV systems
Racking manufacturers that have completed fire classification testing for PV systems of panels + racking include (click on links below):
IronRidgeXR Rails
Ecollibrium Solar: Ecofoot2+ and EcoX
Everest
Mounting Systems: Alpha+ and Lambda
PanelClaw
ProSolar
Quick Mount PV
Renosul: with type 1 panels and with type 3 panels
SolarDoc and another one from SolarDoc
Unirack: Roof Mount, Solar Mount, Sun Frame
Zep Solar: Peak w/ type 1, Peak w/ type 2, PipeWedge w/ type 1, PipeWedge w/ type 2, Steep Slope w/ type 1, Steep Slope w/ type 2


An updated list can also be found at the CALSEIA database.