How To Meet Solar Panel Permit Requirements

Before starting a solar installation, contractors must secure permission from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Solar panel permit requirements and building codes vary by location, so installers must understand local rules and any additional zoning requirements that may apply.

In some areas, the solar panel permit cost can be substantial, adding to the overall project expense. However, some cities and states are working to simplify and standardize the process, which can help reduce costs.

At Greenlancer, we have over a decade of solar permit experience and expert insights into navigating the process efficiently and effectively. Our solar permitting expertise helps you minimize delays and avoid unnecessary expenses, making your projects smoother and more cost-effective.

What Is a Solar Permit?

A solar permit is required before installing solar power systems. It ensures compliance with safety standards and local building codes, including the National Electrical Code  (NEC). The solar permitting process involves reviewing system design, electrical diagrams, and structural elements, along with inspections to verify compliance.

Meeting solar panel permit requirements is crucial to avoid issues like fines or removal orders. Proper solar permitting ensures installations are safe, legal, and up to code, protecting homeowners and installers from costly mistakes.

What Are Solar Panel Permit Requirements?

The specific solar permitting requirements vary depending on your location and the type of solar installation you're planning.

Common solar panel permit requirements include:

1. Building permit: Typically required for structural considerations to ensure that the solar arrays meet local building codes and zoning regulations.

2. Electrical permit: Necessary for electrical work associated with the solar installation, ensuring compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC).

3. Structural permit: Sometimes required to verify that the solar energy system is structurally sound and can withstand environmental conditions.

4. Interconnection approval: Needed to connect your solar system to the grid, ensuring compliance with utility requirements.
   

Solar permit requirements vary by town and state. Many require electrical permits, while some require a building permit for solar panel installations. Some towns even have a dedicated solar photovoltaic permit. However, solar installations must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC), building codes, and local requirements.

Solar Permit Services

GreenLancer offers residential and commercial solar permit services to efficiently navigate the permit process. We provide comprehensive solar design and engineering services, including permit-ready solar plan sets, interconnection applications, and engineering reviews. These services help streamline the solar permit process and help contractors scale up their operations.

To begin shopping for commercial or residential solar permit services, create a GreenLancer account.

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Solar Inspection Process

Most cities and towns will also require a solar system inspection after installing the solar PV system. In the residential and commercial inspection process, the official looks for code violations and checks that the PV system matches the solar plan sets submitted with the permit. Thus, it is crucial to be aware of and adhere to the applicable codes. Typically, officials must complete the final inspection and utility interconnection approval before commissioning the PV system.

How Do I Submit a Solar Panel Permit Application?

Many towns allow online solar permit applications, while some require the paperwork to be submitted by mail or in person. To streamline the process, some local governments offer an expedited process for PV projects that meet some basic solar permitting requirements. Many AHJs require solar plans for permits, and some also require engineering stamps.

Residential solar permit application requirements commonly include the following:

• Solar permit application form

• Site plan

• Structural and electrical drawings

• Solar engineering calculations

• Roof specifications

• Description of work

• PV equipment specification sheets

• Electrical diagrams

• Contractor license

• Solar permit fee

SolarAPP+ Platform for Solar Permitting

SolarAPP+  (Solar Automated Permit Processing) is a web-based platform designed to simplify and automate solar permitting, particularly for single-family rooftop systems. It's currently available in several states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Texas. More local governments are piloting SolarAPP+ to streamline the process, meeting solar panel permit requirements more efficiently. The platform speeds up solar permit approval, making it easier for homeowners and contractors to navigate solar permitting and compliance.

Solar Panel Permit Requirements for Historical Buildings

Installing solar panels on historical buildings may require additional approvals to maintain the historical integrity of the area. Some cities have strict rules about visible panels, particularly from the street, but may allow installation on less visible parts of the building, such as the back. It's important to understand these specific solar permit requirements before starting any project.

Impact of Homeowners' Associations (HOAs) on Solar Permitting

HOAs often have their own set of rules that affect solar permitting. They may regulate the aesthetics of solar panel installations to maintain a uniform look in the neighborhood. However, in states like California, Florida, and Utah, solar access laws protect homeowners from HOA interference by allowing solar installations regardless of HOA policies.

Solar Panel Permit Requirements for Condominiums

For condominiums, the exterior of the building, including the roof, is typically a shared space. This means that solar permit approval will often be required from the condominium association, even in duplexes or townhomes. These shared ownership structures can complicate the solar permitting process, so coordination with the association is crucial for approval.

Who Approves Solar Permit Applications?

The application process varies, often by the size of the solar PV system and by the town or city where you are installing the solar system. Obtaining a solar permit may require working with the building department, fire department, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), and other AHJs.

For some residential projects, merely listing the solar panels, inverter, racking system, capacity, and cost might be sufficient. However, a more extensive site plan and solar PV plan sets might be necessary in many areas.

Some towns require PE stamps by a licensed professional engineer on the solar drawings to show compliance with electrical and structural codes. This is especially common for larger commercial projects, which may require outsourcing solar engineering services if a solar company doesn’t have those qualifications in-house. The GreenLancer network has licensed solar engineers in all 50 states.

What Are Solar Panel Permit Costs?

Like the local permitting process, solar permitting fees vary widely. In many areas, the solar permit cost is based on the total system size and is lower for residential solar installations.

According to 2022 SolarTRACE data for solar systems under 10 kilowatts, a residential solar permit usually costs between $150 and $350 in many major U.S. cities. However, residential solar permit costs in New York City are often nearly $1,000 compared to $160 in Los Angeles. Some states, including California and Colorado, have set limits on solar permitting costs to help encourage renewable energy use.

Solar Permit Costs in Colorado

The Fair Permit Act, passed in 2011 with bipartisan support, caps permitting fees at $500 for residential solar projects and $1,000 for commercial solar panel installations.

Solar Panel Permit Costs in California

The Golden State limits the total cost of a solar permit to $450 for residential PV projects of 15 kW or less. For larger projects, the State of California limits permitting fees at $450 + $15 per kW over 15.

In California, the limit for commercial solar permitting is $1,000 for 50 kW or less. Solar permit fees for commercial solar systems between 50 and 250 kW are up to $1,000 + $7 per kW above 50. For larger systems, the PV permit fee limit is $2,400 + $5 per kW over 250 kW.

What Factors Influence Solar Panel Permit Cost?

The cost for permitting can vary based on several factors, such as the location, size of the solar system, and the specific solar panel permit requirements set by the local permitting authority. Other factors like the complexity of the installation, additional inspections, and fees imposed by the jurisdiction can also affect the overall permit costs.

Utility-scale & Commercial Solar Panel Permit Requirements

Solar permitting requirements are often more involved for commercial projects, especially if they are large projects. Commercial solar permits might have more extensive requirements, like providing single-line diagrams with PE stamps. Some large ground mount systems may also require a land use review.

Sometimes, state or federal agencies are involved in the solar permitting process. For example, if you are installing a solar system on a capped landfill, you likely need to obtain permission from the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the integrity of the landfill cap is maintained.

What Happens If A Solar Permit Gets Denied?

If a solar permit is denied, installing the photovoltaic (PV) system might not be possible. The first step is to understand why the solar permit was denied and if there is a way to resolve the issue. If it’s a siting issue, it may be possible to adjust the project to meet solar panel permit requirements and local building codes.

If the issue lies with the Homeowners' Association (HOA), check if state solar access laws protect the installation rights of your customer. For projects involving historical buildings, consider making modifications such as hiding the solar panels or conduit from the front view, or exploring the use of building-integrated photovoltaic products, like solar shingles.

In some towns, zoning restrictions may block commercial solar farms, especially on farmland. To overcome these challenges, consider alternative solutions such as integrating grazing sheep, which can help with vegetation management, or planting pollinator-friendly wildflowers to meet local concerns and improve the site’s environmental impact.

Solar Permitting Services

Contracting solar design services can help keep the project on track if a solar permit is denied.

GreenLancer could offer support by:

• Reviewing the solar panel permit requirements: Our solar design partners can carefully review the specific requirements set by the local permitting authority and assess the reasons for the permit denial. By understanding the specific issues, they can provide guidance on necessary revisions to meet the required standards.

• Modifying the design: If the permit denial is due to design issues, our solar permit service can modify the solar system design, ensuring your project meets the local solar panel permit requirements set by the AHJ. They can provide updated solar plan sets and documentation that address the concerns of the permitting authority.

• Communicating with the solar permitting authority: Our partners can act as an intermediary between the solar installer and the permitting authority, helping to facilitate communication and address solar panel permit requirements. Their expertise in solar permitting can contribute to a more effective dialogue and potentially resolve issues that led to the permit denial.

• Providing additional solar permit documentation: A permit denial may be due to a lack of required documentation or incomplete information. Our solar permit service can help ensure that all necessary documents, such as engineering designs, electrical diagrams, and specifications, are complete and meet the requirements of the permitting authority.

Meeting Solar Panel Permit Requirements

Being proactive in the solar permitting process is key to ensuring a smoother installation. Familiarize yourself with design and siting requirements before starting the project to save time and avoid complications. If you install solar arrays across various towns with different solar panel permit requirements, maintain a list of local restrictions and processes to simplify future projects. Stay updated on new regulations and factor in permitting time to keep solar projects on track and on schedule.

GreenLancer’s marketplace has a network of vetted, licensed engineers and solar permit services who specialize in working with AHJs all across the U.S. Obtain solar plans for permits, professional engineering wet stamps, solar project consultation, and more. Connect with a rep today by completing the form below.