[RE-wrenches] PV permitting standards

[Dave Palumbo]

Marco,

 

Here in Vermont no schematic is required for residential PV system
installations. There is a simple CPG process (Certificate of Public Good,
which is automatically acquired within 11 business days after registering)
for all systems 10kW and under. Larger residential systems can take about 6
weeks to get a CPG. Commercial installations do not necessarily require a
schematic before being permitted.

 

Our State Incentive Grant program (currently unfunded and suspended) has a
review of system documentation including a simple one-line drawing before
the Incentive is paid out after completion and commissioning of the system. 

About 10% of residential systems that receive an incentive also receive an
inspection, these inspections happen well after the system is commissioned.
The incentive was at 55 cents per DC Watt when the program closed at the end
of 2012. This program will most likely open up again fairly soon at about 50
cents/Watt.

 

Note that Vermont does not require that electrical work on residences be
done by licensed electricians, except in the City of Burlington. In order to
be eligible for the Incentive Grant the PV system has to be installed by a
Vermont Solar Partner. In this way the state has some control over the
quality of net metered PV installations. Off grid systems receive no
incentives and are not being reviewed by any authorities.

 

Best,

 

Dave Palumbo

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Marco
Mangelsdorf
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2013 4:53 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: [RE-wrenches] PV permitting standards

 

We've got a strange situation in our little Aloha State.  While the counties
of Maui, Kauai and the Big Island require a PV permit package to include
system design schematics with the package, the largest county in the state
by population, the island of O'ahu, does not require any schematic for
residential systems.  This blows my mind.

 

I'm wondering if there are other AHJs out there on the Mainland where no
schematics are required to obtain a PV permit.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

marco

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