City of Orem, UT

Initial Status: Standard building permit application, but no solar PV specific form.

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

Initial Status: Permit form is available in-person or via mail.

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

Initial Status: Application form submitted in-person or via mail.

Guidance: Allow email submittal of permit application forms for qualifying projects.

Initial Status: 2 submittals

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

Initial Status: Incomplete process information online

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: Over 10 days for residential, over 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: Permit fee is $250 or less

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Initial status is unknown

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

Initial Status: Inspection request turnaround time is under 2 days.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Specific inspection time is given to the installer.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Most projects require 1 comprehensive inspection but complex projects may require multiple inspectio

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.

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: Approval from a Structural Professional Engineer is required on all systems.

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

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.

Initial Status: No local laws to protect solar rights and access.

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: Solar is not addressed in standards for new construction.

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

Initial Status: Solar development is not addressed in planning documents.

Guidance: Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.

Initial Status: Solar is not directly addressed in zoning ordinances.

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: Solar is not addressed in zoning standards in historic and viewshed areas.

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.

Guidance: 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: Support efforts to develop state-level legislation enabling local PACE programs.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of finance programs within the community.

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

Initial Status: Limited awareness within the community currently.

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 such programs known to exist locally.

Guidance: 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: No such programs known to exist locally.

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: No known projects at these sites.

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites. Establish a working group to explore solar development options across the state, following the best practices and case studies provided. Share information with market stakeholders.

Initial Status: No known projects at this time.

Guidance: Establish a working group to explore 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.