Arlington County, VA

Initial Status: There is a standard building permit application form, but nothing specific to PV currently

Guidance: Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects <10kW.

Initial Status: Building permit application forms are available online, though no PV specific forms currently in use

Guidance: County currently at market best practice! If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online.

Initial Status: Building permit application forms must be submitted in person; no PV specific forms curently in use

Guidance: Allow electronic submittal of permit form application.

Initial Status: Only 1 permit application form submittal is required

Guidance: County currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Incomplete solar permitting process information online

Guidance: Post information on the solar permitting and inspection process online in an easily accessible location. This should include the process flow, timelines, fees, point of contact, and any other pertinent information.

Initial Status: <3 days for residential system and <5 days for commercial; No expedited solar permitting process

Guidance: County currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Residential solar permit fee amount is unclear

Guidance: Move to flat fee <$250 or base fee on cost recovery.

Initial Status: Commercial solar permit fee amount is unclear

Guidance: Move to flat fee <$500 or base fee on cost recovery.

Initial Status: Within 2 business days

Guidance: County currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: 2 hour appointment window

Guidance: County currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Single comprehensive inspection

Guidance: County currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Building permit process available online; No solar inspection checklist currently in use

Guidance: Utilize a standard inspection checklist for PV systems. The checklist serves as a guide for inspectors and installers containing points of emphasis and common issues.

Initial Status: Structural PE stamp is required for commercial systems, but not residential systems

Guidance: County currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Current knowledge level of staff regarding recent solar standards unknown

Guidance: Be aware of and consider accepting new solar standards from most recent code cycles

Guidance: Consider adopting solar-specific language into general plan related to planning, zoning and new construction standards.

Guidance: Consider adopting zoning codes that provide specific guidance on the integration of solar-friendly design review standards.

Guidance: Review local code to identify ordinances that create unreasonable barriers to solar deployment and establish a working group to amend local ordinances in order to minimize restrictions on solar.

Initial Status: SCC conducting a solar PPA pilot program in Dominion Power service territory

Guidance: Support efforts to ensure state-level utility regulations do not restrict third-party solar financing mechanisms.

Initial Status: No community solar enabling legislation exists

Guidance: Support efforts to ensure state-level utility regulations allow community solar projects.

Initial Status: PACE financing valid and legal in Virginia

Guidance: Establish a working group to evaluate the potential of a PACE financing program for clean energy upgrades in your jurisdiction based on national examples by local municipalities.

Initial Status: No known existing solar financing options within the County

Guidance: Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of existing solar financing options and evaluation tools for constituents

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via webinars, marketing materials, or by providing links and information online.

Initial Status: No residential bulk purchase program has been implemented in the County

Guidance: Establish a working group of community leaders and financing providers to evaluate aggregated purchasing options for residential solar based on successful case studies.

Initial Status: No collaborative solar procurement programs have been developed to date

Guidance: Consider collaborating with agencies across the region to aggregate government facilities, including municipal buildings and schools, for solar evaluation and cost-effective procurement to demonstrate leadership and reduce energy costs while strengthening the economy and environment.

Initial Status: No known solar projects at these sites currently

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites.

Initial Status: No known solar development at local brownfield sites

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify Brownfield sites and solar development options across the state, following the best practices and case studies provided. Share information with market stakeholders.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these resources locally

Guidance: Provide online access to training programs and resources for the installer community and potential workforce and organize an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these resources locally

Guidance: Help promote the availability of online tools and resources for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks.