Page 26 - North American Clean Energy March April 2015

solar energy

Far Left. Installers at work on a
solar rooftop project in Las Vegas
Left. Solar “S” proile tiles being

installed at a 30-degree angle
Simple Tips for Smooth Solar Projects

From permitting to paperwork

By Jake Owsley

A LOT GOES INTO A SOLAR POWER PROJECT before construction ever begins. From a project Avoid making assumptions about requirements based on previous jobs or word of
developer or contractor’s perspective, it can look a little like this:
mouth. As no national PV solar installation code has been adopted, cities and counties have
• Bid on the job;
their own unique policies, which can difer widely even within a few miles.
• Awarded the contract;
he jurisdiction for a job on one side of the street or on one block in a neighborhood

• Developed a site plan (for a solar rooftop project, this involves inspecting the roof and/or could require that a solar system meet certain designed criteria that are completely dif-
tiles involved);
ferent than another. hese can include factors, such as the snow loads, wind speeds, and
• Filed and/or ensured proper permitting is in place;
structural weights. In fact, in some areas, a structural analysis of the existing building may
• Researched, purchased, and engineered the best PV modules and most ideal mounting
be required to ensure it can withstand the additional weight of a PV array.

system for the project;
In extreme cases, information on all data sheets and products being utilized (from the
• Hired the team of onsite installers and engineers; and
inverters to the racking system) are necessary. A site plan of the entire property is almost
• Set the date for construction to begin.
always required, and the building department will keep this plan on ile—so, don’t ignore
any details. he site plan should include the locations of the modules, inverters, PV sub

Preparation is well underway, and it’s time to get those solar modules up on the roof to panel, house main, and label size.
start producing power. Installing solar panels on an existing residence should be a relative-
ly straight-forward process, but it can be illed with a lot of preparatory steps and frustra- 3. Organize the required paperwork

tion from the get-go. Among the most important in the early stages: permitting.
Most city and county building departments will list paperwork requirements online, how-
ever, it’s often worth calling and speaking directly with an inspector before beginning
Getting permit-ready
construction on a solar project. his can help speed the permitting process, ensuring the
Being well-versed and educated in the local regulations for solar rooftop installations, while correct forms are submitted and signed.

following some simple steps in the pulling permits process, is vital to a successful project As back-up support, it’s also worth having a reliable racking manufacturer partner in the
experience—not to mention, a company’s bottom line. Time is money, after all, and there’s area who’s experienced and willing to lend a hand. A reputable dealer should willingly pro-
no sense pushing a project forward that isn’t fully approved or permit-ready.
vide support and help answer any questions.
Here are some of those simple, yet critically important, steps to take to get the required Simple paperwork delays have caused many jobs to go in the red, leading to unnecessary

permissions to start and inish a solar rooftop project with the least amount of delays.
project delays. Yet, it’s the easiest thing to avoid.

1. Contact the local energy company
4. Know the inspection process
here are a few questions that are essential to ask irst prior to installing a PV system to While on the phone with a building inspector, be sure ask if there’s a single or a two-step inspec-

ensure success and to ensure a satisied customer. he local energy provider should be able tion process and how to set-up the appointment. A two-step process includes an inspection of
to provide the answers.
the grounding and racking system before the solar panels can be installed and tied into the grid.
his is, then, followed by a inal inspection of the project once it’s complete. In other cases, a
For example:
one-time inspection might be all that’s necessary once the solar system is fully complete.

- Is it okay to tie into the local power grid?
- Does this particular residence qualify for a net, or a dual meter?
From the permit to the inal inspection, ensuring the requirements for a successful solar
- Are there any monthly fees associated with a new meter?
project takes knowledge and patience. But it is time well spent if the project can be in-
- Is net metering allowed?
stalled without faults or delays.

- Are there any other issues or concerns to consider in the region related to power and in-
stalling a solar system?
Jake Owsley is a PV solutions specialist at TRA Snow and Sun, Inc. of Ameri-
can Fork, Utah. He has worked with solar implementers and designed custom
PV arrays from as far east as Williamsburg, New York, to as far west as Los
2. Research the building codes
Once all of the energy-related questions have been answered, the next essential question Angeles, California.
should relate to the local building codes and design criteria requirements in the region. It’s
imperative to maintain due diligence and fully ensure research is done here.
TRA Snow and Sun, Inc. | www.trasnowandsun.com

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MARCH/APRIL 2015