Lyon County, NV

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: General building permit application form is online.

Action Taken: Online capability in 2014.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Electronic submittal of permit application form is not currently available.

Action Taken: Online capability in 2014.

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

Initial Status: 1 submittal

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Comprehensive process information online.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Within 5 business days residential, 20 business days commercial

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: Residential permit fee is valuation based, capped at $300.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Commercial permit fee is valuation based, capped at $400.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Inspection turnaround time within 2 business days.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Appointment window less than 4 hours.

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: 1 permit inspection

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: A standard inspection checklist for PV systems is not currently used.

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: County currently on 2012 ICC building code and 2011 NEC electrical code.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No local ordinances which protect solar rights and access.

Guidance: Create local ordinances which protect solar access by ensuring property remains shade-free and establishing a process for creating, registering, and enforcing solar easements.

Initial Status: No solar friendly 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: No current solar-specific 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: 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 current local solar PV loan program within the County.

Action Taken: Will upload financial resources and tools around February 2013

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

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these tools locally.

Action Taken: Will upload financial resources and tools around February 2013

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: 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.

Action Taken: Will defer to Northern Nevada Development Association.

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.

Action Taken: Will upload financial resources and tools around February 2013

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