City of Cleveland, OH

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

Guidance: City currently at best practice. If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online in an easily accessible location.

Initial Status: Applications can be emailed, and an online portal for contractors is in development

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Multiple submittals required for some projects

Guidance: Require only a single application submittal. If multiple departments review the application, manage the routing internally.

Initial Status: Some info is online including point-of-contact and fee structure

Action Taken: City is developing a solar guide and online portal to streamline permitting and inspections

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

Initial Status: Permit processing time is 6-10 days for residentail projects and 11-15 for commercial projects

Guidance: Current turnaround times are reasonable. Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying PV projects using a standard application form (see goal P1).

Initial Status: Permit fee is valuation based at $15/$1000. Additional flat fees for zoning $20 and plan review $20.

Guidance: Ideally residential permit fees are based on cost recovery rather than being open ended. However, the current system is likely to yield reasonable fees in the $250-$350 range for typical residential projects.

Initial Status: Permit fee is assessed via valuation method

Guidance: Base commercial permit fees on cost recovery, or if a flat fee is used keep the fee amount under $500.

Initial Status: Inspector must respond within 3 days; if not, deemed approved.

Guidance: This is a quick turnaround time, City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No inspection time window given

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

Initial Status: Separate building and electrical inspections are conducted, and both may require multiple visits

Guidance: Require only a single permit inspection. If additional inspections are required during installation, conduct in a manner that does not require installer to halt work or does not otherwise hinder installer's ability to be productive.

Initial Status: No 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: No structural exemptions

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

Initial Status: Currently on 2011 Ohio Building Code, 2014 NEC

Guidance: City building and electrical officials seem to be knowledgeable on latest solar standards. Additional training resources are available via the 'Take Action' link for ongoing education.

Initial Status: State law allows for the creation of solar easements

Guidance: Create local ordinances which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: No solar ready construction ordinances in place

Guidance: Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready.

Initial Status: Solar is included in energy action plan

Guidance: City currently at best practice. The Sustainable Cleveland Municipal Action Plan, the Cleveland Climate Action Plan, and the Planning Commission’s Citywide Plan are all posted on the City website.

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations, such as setbacks, height limits and lot use provisions, do not restrict property owners' ability to install solar.

Initial Status: Zoning code for historic and viewshed areas does not specifically address solar.

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations in aesthetically sensitive areas do not adversely affect property owners' ability to install solar. Allow staff members to review and approve applications when possible rather than requiring committee or planning commission review.

Initial Status: No restrictive private covenants are known to exist locally

Guidance: No local HOAs, COAs, or housing developments have been known to place restrictions on solar. If issues arise in the future as solar installation volume increases, work with 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: No local PACE program

Action Taken: The NE Ohio Advanced Energy District allows PACE financing. Education and outreach in progress.

Guidance: City is supporting the newly offered PACE financing program

Initial Status: Limited local loan options for solar energy systems

Action Taken: Several local finance options available including Key Bank, Solarize Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County

Guidance: City currently at best practice

Initial Status: The Solarize Cleveland website offers an evaluation tool for prospective buyers

Guidance: The Solarize Cleveland website offers a solar evaluation portal as well as some finance information for homeowners who enter their address and proceed with the online evaluation. Consider publicizing the local solar finance options more explicitly.

Initial Status: Solarize Cleveland program offers predetermined discounted rates

Guidance: The Solarize Cleveland website hosted by Geostellar acts as a one-stop-shop for residents and small businesses interested in going solar. Rates offered through this bulk purchase program are well below market rates for individual installations.

Initial Status: No such group buy programs have been implemented to date

Guidance: Cuyahoga County recently launched a Clean Energy Financing Hub to implement energy efficiency and solar at municipal sites which could facilitate a collaborative procurement. In 2015, the City also completed an analysis of 20 properties with potential for large-scale solar development. Consider working with agencies across the region to aggregate additional government facilities for solar evaluation and cost-effective procurement.

Initial Status: The City has issued an RFP for a landfill site, and assessed properties owned by the water utility.

Guidance: City pursuing several opportunities currently. Considering establishing a working group to explore an aggregate procurement for the landfill site, water utilities site, and other municipally owned properties (see goal M3).

Initial Status: Two 1MW arrays have been installed on brownfield sites

Guidance: City currently at best practice. To build on success of two 1MW arrays, in 2015 the City completed an analysis of properties with potential for large-scale solar development, resulting in 20 individual site assessments.

Initial Status: Solarize Cleveland and Sustainable Cleveland websites both provide great information for homeowners

Guidance: City currently at best practice.