Resource Library

This standard plan form is for solar PV systems for single family dwellings that are under 10kW and use a central inverter.

This standard plan form is for solar PV systems for single family dwellings that are under 10kW and use a microinverter.

These guidelines address specific site planning, building form, space planning, roofing, and mechanical and electrical issues to be considered in the design of solar ready buildings.

This model ordinance requires that each new home be built ready for future solar energy systems by requiring the installation of electrical conduit and plumbing pipe during construction. The future occupant can then install these systems at less cost and with no effect to the finishes or aesthetics to the building. The first hyperlink displays an ordinance summary. The second hyperlink displays installation requirements and guidelines.

This model solar ready ordinance requires all new single family homes or duplexes to include in the plans either a solar electric/water heating system or conduit/piping for future installation in order to receive a building permit. The first hyperlink displays an ordinance summary. The second hyperlink displays model ordinance language.

Solar ordinances are regulations requiring that solar energy provides a minimum share of the heating demand. Solar obligations have now been adopted or are being discussed in a number of countries, regions and local authorities in Europe and beyond. This page lists several solar regulations from countries across Europe.

Eugene's Solar Standards, as described in sections 9.2780 through 9.2795 of the City Code, are utilized to create lot divisions, layouts and building configurations that maximize the availability of solar energy on one- and two-family dwellings. The goal is to promote the use of solar energy and to minimize shading of buildings by other buildings. The Code contains specific requirements for solar setbacks, including equations to calculate the setback distance based on building height and lot size.

Under the California Solar Initiative-Thermal program, multifamily and commercial properties qualify for rebates of up to $500,000 to install new solar water heating systems. Funding for the CSI-Thermal program comes from ratepayers of PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, and SDG&E. The rebate program is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission as part of the California Solar Initiative.

The CSI-Thermal Program offers cash rebates of up to $2,719 for solar water heating systems on single-family homes, as rebates vary depending on the type of solar water heating system, location, shading and other design factors. Funding for the CSI-Thermal program comes from ratepayers of PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, and SDG&E. The rebate program is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission as part of the California Solar Initiative.

Barcelona’s 1999 Solar Thermal Ordinance made it compulsory for all new buildings, renovated buildings, and buildings changing their use (e.g. a villa turned into a hotel), both private and public, to supply at least 60 percent.

This document reviews “solar value” concepts and terms. It focuses on the generic definition of terms most commonly identified in the literature exploring values of resources in the distributed setting. These literature resources include plans ordered by state agencies and regulators and analyses submitted by utilities and stakeholders for regulatory review. It describes solar-related value terms as neither costs nor benefits, but as net impacts, which must be assessed for each utility in each regulatory jurisdiction. This is an 8 page extract of the larger report listed in the Source section below.

The City of Lakeland's munipal utility, Lakeland Electric, allows qualifying customers to pay a fixed fee of $34.95 a month for a solar hot water service, consisting of an 80 gallon solar hot water system.

Solar water heating systems can be used effectively throughout the United States at facilities that have an appropriate near-south-facing roof or nearby un-shaded grounds for installation of a collector. This overview is intended to provide specific details for Federal agencies considering solar water heating technologies as part of a new construction project or major renovation.

Pepco's Energy Savings Program offers cash incentives for installing high efficiency Commercial Water Heating systems in existing buildings. By participating and upgrading to more energy efficient electric water heating systems, building owners can reduce the purchase cost of the equipment now and benefit from reduced operating and maintenance costs for years to come.

This one-page solar water heating permit package template lists best practice submittal requirements, such as a plot plan, an in-line plumbing sketch, roof structure details, manufacturer information, and scald protection specifications.

ENERGY STAR's solar water heating resources for consumers contains an overview of the technology, buying guidance, and links to additional resources.

The City of Santa Clara and its municipal utility offer solar water heating equipment renting program for the heating of swimming pools, process water, and domestic hot water. The pieces of hardware (solar collectors, controls and storage tanks) are owned and maintained by the city under a rental agreement. The renter pays an initial installation fee and a monthly utility fee. More information about the program, including fees, can be found on the City's website.

The Department of Energy's Energy Saver page for Solar Water Heaters informs users on various solar water heating technologies and how they operate and provide resources to advise the siting and selection process for SWH systems.

The City of Palo Alto's municipal utility website contains a designated page for solar water heating, which features comprehensive information and resources relevant to Palo Alto residents. It includes a link to the City's Solar Water Heating Program Handbook, which offers in-depth information about the program, design and technical aspects of a SWH system; information regarding available incentives; case studies; relevant forms; and more (see attached image).

The City of Los Angeles exempts solar energy devices (PV systems or solar water heaters) from building height limit, so long as they meet the basic setback requirements. The ordinance also makes it easier to build solar systems in parking lots as well as in other open spaces.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the zoning review of PV installations in the City of Chicago. The goal of this policy document is to make zoning design requirements transparent for solar PV system applicants. The document has separate policies based on install type (roof, ground, carport, etc) and zoning district (residential, commercial, etc). There is also a separate process for landmark districts and public way. Document length: 16 pages.

This information packet, prepared by the American Planning Association, contains a comprehensive list of solar-ready ordinances enacted by local governments across the country as well as the body text of selected ordinances. Many of these ordinances can be adapted to fit the needs of another jurisdiction.

The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) is a collaborative effort funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of solar PV building codes and standards, utility interconnection procedures, and product standards, reliability, and safety. This 1-page document outlines a model fee structure for PV permits designed to ensure cost recovery on behalf of the jurisdiction while ensuring a reasonable fee for project developers. It is a simple stepped fee structure based on project size. This fee schedule is extracted from a larger report which outlines an expedited permit process for small PV installations applicable nationwide.

SolarABCs sent questionnaires to subject matter experts regarding the relevance and adequacy of the (10) FERC technical screens and compiled the results. Consensus existed that (3) of the screens should be updated. Click File 1 below to see the section of the report summarizing the findings. Follow the URL in the source section below to access the full report.

This informational hand-out from the Community Development Department of Clark County, WA, details the permitting requirements for all solid-fuel burning appliances, including required components and design and installation specifications.