City of Asheville, NC

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 under 10kW.

Initial Status: Applications are available online, by email, or in person.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Applications may be submitted by email, as well as in person or by mail.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Applications are required to be sent to one department.

Guidance: City is currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Permit process and fee information, inspection process, and point of contact are available online.

Guidance: Most of the permit process and fee information is available online. Consider posting information about the inspection checklist online in an easily accessible location.

Initial Status: Permit review is usually less than a week for residential and 11 - 15 days for commercial projects.

Guidance: Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying PV projects using a standard application form (see goal P1). For all projects, issue or deny permit within 3 business days of submittal for residential and within 5 business days for commercial.

Initial Status: Flat fee is typically less than $250.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Fee for commercial permit in unknown at this time.

Guidance: Consider a flat fee of less than $500 for all commercial permits.

Initial Status: Inspections completed within 2 days of request

Guidance: City at best practice

Initial Status: Typical window of time given to installer for final onsite inspection is 5-8 hours for residential and 3-8 hours for commercial.

Guidance: Provide an appointment window of 2 hours or less if possible, or consider providing real time updates prior to arrival so contractor is aware and prepared.

Initial Status: Unknown at this time.

Guidance: Require only a single permit inspection for standard systems meeting certain criteria. Or, if additional inspections are required during installation, conduct in a manner that does not require installer to halt work.

Initial Status: City does not utilize an inspection checklist.

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. Ideally the checklist is standardized across the region.

Initial Status: Structural and electrical PE is required for all residential and commercial installations

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from PE stamp requirements.

Initial Status: Unknown at this time.

Guidance: Be aware of and consider accepting new solar standards from most recent code cycles. For ongoing education, see the online resources under the Take Action link at right.

Initial Status: State laws, including Senate Bill 670 & 2009 HB 1387, provide protection for residential solar energy systems not visible from the street.

Guidance: State laws SB 670 (2007) and HB 1387 (2009) provide protection from local restrictions for solar energy systems which are not visible from the street. Municipalities are able to regulate systems (roof or ground mounted) that are visible from public areas, at least to the extent that they do not prevent a reasonable installation. This protection seems to be sufficient and the City does not have any restrictive policies in place.

Initial Status: Town Code Sec 7-14-1 allows variances to building codes that allow for solar energy systems to be placed in optimal positions.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Energy goals, including some solar provisions, are in several community planning documents.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar, but existing regulations do not restrict solar in any way.

Guidance: While the existing zoning codes and ordinances do not address solar, there do not seem to be any setbacks, height limits, lot use provisions, or other measures that restrict property owners' ability to install solar. The North Carolina Solar Center published a template ordinance for development standards for PV systems. Reference this document or other examples at right if interested in proactively addressing solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Impact of restrictive private covenants is unknown at this time, however state laws may provide adequate protection from deeds or covenants.

Guidance: State laws SB 670 (2007) and HB 1387 (2009) provide protection from deeds or covenants only for systems which are not visible from the street. Private HOA groups can regulate the screening and location of systems visible from the street to the extent that they do not prevent a reasonable installation. While this state law would seem to be sufficient, there are restrictive policies in some local developments. Work with these condo owner and homeowners associations to ensure that their covenant, conditions, and restrictions and bylaws do not create undue barriers to solar installations.

Initial Status: Third party finance not allowed, though legislation has been proposed

Guidance: House bill 245 (The Energy Freedom Act, introduced in March 2015) would have opened up North Carolina electricity markets to third party sales of electricity. This bill did not make it out of committee, but there are plans to reintroduce in 2016. Support the passage of this Bill.

Initial Status: Admirals Bank and Self Help Credit Union offer solar loans.

Guidance: Effective local finance programs in place. Vendor finance more likely to come to the area once 3rd party finance is allowed.

Initial Status: Information on solar finance options and incentives are available online.

Guidance: City provides a reasonable amount of solar educational resources online. Consider promoting solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via webinars, marketing materials, or by providing addtional links and information online.

Initial Status: The City of Asheville has explored local collaborative procurement programs for residential sector.

Guidance: Further support the creation of a working group of community leaders and funding providers. This group would evaluate options and determine the most viable approach for aggregating residential solar based on best practices to date.

Initial Status: Solar procurement program for the Biltmore Estate has been explored.

Guidance: Establish a working group of businesses and commercial property owners to leverage their solar purchasing power by aggregating facilities for solar evaluation and procurement to reduce energy costs while demonstrating community leadership.

Initial Status: There have been no collaborative procurement programs for the municipal facilities and schools.

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: The City of Asheville has explored a solar power electric vehicle station in the Public Working parking lot.

Guidance: Consider forming a working group to identify additional solar feasibility at municipal landfills, water treatment plants, or other municipal properties. Consider working with other local agencies on a collaborative procurement to reduce costs per goal [M3]. The Solar Roadmap team can help by evaluating solar potential at City properties.

Initial Status: Unknown at this time.

Guidance: Establish a working group to explore solar development on Superfund sites such as the CTS of Asheville or on the City's registered brownfield sites (available from http://1.usa.gov/20fw6WN), following the best practices and case studies provided. Click the Take Action button at right for more information.

Initial Status: Awareness building activities have been conducted via online resources

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