[RE-wrenches] Permit Cost

[Rebecca Lundberg]

Hi Benn,

In my area this depends on the city permitting office, and they are very
particular about it. A few cities (Minneapolis, for one) had an
administrative agreement to help support solar by requiring the 'total value
of the project' be that of everything but the modules and inverter, thus
lowering the cost of the permit quite a bit. Since many require me to drop
off the permit application to a receptionist and will not allow me to have
the conversation with someone directly, I usually add a line so I can
include both cost options. My success in having the lower cost used was
about 50/50 a year ago, but almost without exception I am now finding the
permit offices are adding fees and require the full installed cost be used
for the permit. I've even had them require additional mid-job inspections so
they can charge the additional inspection fees. Hopefully as more solar is
installed a more standardized policy/process will be put into place, and we
won't have so many unknowns in the bidding process.

Keep Shining!
Rebecca Lundberg
Powerfully Green, Minnesota

Wrenches,
> I have been hearing differences in opinions/interpretations when it comes
> to filling out electrical permit applications for grid-tie PV systems and
> you come to the line that asks for <direct quote> "Cost of Installation
> (Labor plus Material)", which determines the cost of the permit.
> I have been including the cost of labor and all material including modules,
> inverter, racking (the big ticket items) as well as the 'materials' such as
> wire, conduit, straps, screws, boxes, etc.
> It has come to my attention that some companies do not include the more
> expensive 'equipment' (mods, inverter) in the "Cost of Installation", which
> can reduce the cost of the permit by a couple/few hundred dollars, thus
> saving the homeowner a bit of money on the permit fee.
> What are your thoughts or interpretations on this?
> cheers,benn
>
>
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