Despite the fact that the solar industry has been around for nearly 50 years, and despite the prevalence of national standards for safety and code compliance for solar, the solar industry faces a patchwork of local solar processes — in fact, nearly every town, county, state, and utility service territory across the United States has a different set of ordinances, procedures, and regulations for solar. To help standardize the solar permitting process, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) developed a model expedited solar permitting process and fillable permit forms to help streamline the process across jurisdictions. The accompanying report (PDF) provides a detailed overview of solar technologies and standardized permitting approaches.
The Wasatch Solar Challenge modified the main pages of the Solar ABCs form to include wind and snow load as well as zoning and HOA questions relevant to the permitting process.
Download a copy of the Solar ABCs Expedited Model Permitting Form modified for Utah by the Wasatch Solar Challenge.
Leading the Pack: Utah Communities Streamline Solar
Summit County and Park City are Utah’s first two jurisdictions to adopt the Solar ABCs model solar permitting process; and, in doing so, they are cutting costs and red tape for their citizens and attracting new solar business!
The following Photovoltaic Installation Plan Review Checklist has been adapted from Summit County’s permitting checklist, which provides applicants a clear overview of what they need to submit and saves all parties time and money. This template is provided so that it can be enhanced with information specific to individual jurisdictions.
Download the Solar Permitting Checklist (Word Doc)
Solar Photovoltaic Installation Plan Review Checklist
In order to process your permit application in an expeditious manner you must provide all the required information regarding your proposal. Incomplete applications may take significantly longer to process. If you have questions please contact us using the information provided at the bottom of this sheet.
The following information will be required:
1. A complete Expedited Solar Permit Application.
2. The installing contractor’s name, license type, and number (please provide a photocopy of license).
3. Application fee (also serves as the price of the permit).
Using the application form for the most applicable type of PV system, please include:
4. A permit application with:
- The location of the proposed installation
- Information about the strength of the structure to which the installation will be attached
- Any strengthening of roofs that must take place to ensure structural safety (if applicable)
- Information about the mounting system that will be used to construct the array
- Any zoning-related information that may impact the installation
5. A to-scale site plan showing:
- Equipment locations
- Types of panels and inverters
- Types and sizes of conduits and conductors
- Lengths of runs
- A grounding diagram showing electrodes and grounding electrode conductors
6. A wiring diagram showing:
- All circuitry
- Equipment
- Fusing
- Points of connection
- Disconnects
- Array wiring
- Equipment grounding
7. Cut sheets and instruction manual for the inverter with the applicable model numbers highlighted and the UL or comparable listing noted.
8. Cut sheets for the PV modules, which need to include VOC rating, ISC rating, PMAX, maximum series fuse rating, voltage at PMAX and current at PMAX.
9. Cut sheets on batteries, if applicable, and connection diagrams with cable sizes. Please Identify:
- Battery fusing and fuse holders
- Amp-hour of battery bank
- The charge capacity of charge system
- Details for battery storage and venting
10. Identify wire types and connectors of all cables.
11. Provide details for array mounting and engineering for the supporting structure.
12. Verify the ability of PV systems installed on three-phase supplied systems to cease to export power on the loss of voltage in any phase.
13. Show all warning signs and their locations.
Ensure that all required materials have been completed and compiled and submit them to:
- Online: [website]
- By Email to: [email] (or in-person: [Building Department Address])
For answers to questions please visit [department website] or call [accessible solar point of contact name] at [phone number and extension].