City of Falls Church, VA
This webpage has been created to help improve local solar market conditions and share the latest industry information to residents and stakeholders in the City of Falls Church. Below you will find key solar market indicators and essential resources for residents, businesses, solar industry and government officials. You will also find a direct link to the City's interactive policy roadmap that is designed to make it easier, faster, and more affordable to ‘go solar’.
Community Profile
Residential Solar Potential
Upgrade to LEADER plan to display your community's solar potential.Roadmap
The Solar Roadmap team has worked in close coordination with the City of Falls Church to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing a series of specific objectives and tailored guidance. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.
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8 of 14 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P1] Use a Standard Permit Application Form Specific to PV Systems(18)
There is a standard building permit application form, but nothing specific to PV currently
Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects under 10kW.
[P2] Make Permit Application Form Available Online(176)
Building permit application forms are available online, though no PV specific forms are currently in
If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online in an easily accessible location.
[P3] Allow Electronic Submittal of Application Form(87)
Permit applications can be emailed or submitted in-person.
City currently at best practice.
[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(164)
Permit application is submitted to Buildings and Inspections & Zoning departments.
Require only a single application submittal. If multiple departments review the application, manage the routing internally.
[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)
Solar permitting process information and checklist are available online.
City currently at best practice.
[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(75)
Turnaround time is over 10 days for residential projects and over 15 days for commercial projects.
Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying PV projects. Best practice is to issue or deny permit within 3 business days of submittal for residential and within 5 business days for commercial.
[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(85)
[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
[P9] Minimize Inspection Turnaround Time(147)
Inspection request turnaround time is within 2 business days.
City currently at best practice.
[P10] Offer Convenient Inspection Scheduling(94)
[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(82)
Multiple inspection visits are required.
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.
[P12] Adopt an Inspection Checklist(21)
No inspection checklist currently in use
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.
[P13] Allow a Structural Exemption for Qualifying Systems(41)
No structural analysis required for residential systems
City currently at best practice.
[P14] Understand New Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes(82)
Currently on 012 statewide code.
Be aware of and consider accepting new solar standards from most recent code cycles.
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1 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[Z1] Pursue Protection for Solar Rights and Access(72)
State laws provide limited protection for solar rights and access, but no local ordinance exists
Create a local ordinance that would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.
[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(15)
No local ordinances requiring solar ready construction.
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar ready.
[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(66)
City in in the process of working on ICLEI's Five Milestones Guide.
Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)
Zoning code does not specifically address solar
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.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)
SB 222 limited the power of community associations to prohibit the installation of solar PV
Work with condo owner and homeowners associations to ensure that SB 222 is being properly implemented.
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0 of 3 Goals Not Started |
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[F5a] Explore Implementation of Local PACE Financing Pilot Program (73)
No local PACE financing program known to exist.
Establish a working group to evaluate the potential for a PACE program to finance clean energy upgrades in Falls Church.
[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
No current solar loan program in place.
Encourage community banks and other local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Limited resources available within the community
Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via information/links on the City's website.
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1 of 6 Goals In Progress |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
A solarize program with NVRC and LEAP is currently beind developed.
City currently at best practice.
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
No citywide solar assessment has been performed for municipal sites
Explore the potential for a collaborative solar procurement at municipal sites, or with peer communities within the region.
[M6] Explore Installing Solar at Municipal Facilities, Including Landfill and Water Treatment Facilities(62)
No municipal solar procuement program is in place currently.
Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites.
[M6a] Survey Brownfield Sites for Solar Development Opportunities(12)
No known solar development at these sites currently.
Establish a working group to explore solar development options across the state, following the best practices and case studies provided.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
Limited solar information and resources are currently available online
Provide online access to training resources for the potential installer workforce and organize a training event in order to generate awareness.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
Limited solar information and resources are currently available online
Help promote the availability of online tools and resources for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through.
Resources
