Montgomery County, MD
This webpage has been created to help improve local solar market conditions and share the latest industry information to residents and stakeholders in Montgomery County. Below you will find key solar market indicators and essential resources for residents, businesses, solar industry and government officials. There is also a direct link to the County's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to ‘go solar’.
Montgomery County is located in the state of Maryland, situated just north of Washington, D.C. and southwest of Baltimore. The County is an important business and research center in the Mid-Atlantic region. It is situated in a good area for solar due to annual irradiance levels slightly above the national average.
Community Profile
Residential Solar Potential
Upgrade to LEADER plan to display your community's solar potential.Roadmap
The ASTI team has worked in close coordination with the County to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing guidance on how to transform the local solar market. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, examples, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.
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4 of 14 Goals In Progress 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 currently in use
County currently at market best practice! If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online.
[P3] Allow Electronic Submittal of Application Form(87)
Building permit application forms must be submitted in person; no PV specific forms curently in use
If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make online submittal an option.
[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(164)
Building and electrical permit application form submittals are required
Require only 1 application form submittal
[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)
Residential Permit Guidelines for Solar PV Systems available online
County currently at market best practice!
[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(75)
Permit processing time unclear; No expedited solar permitting process available
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.
[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(85)
Residential solar permit fee is <$500, based on cost recovery
County currently at market best practice!
[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
Commercial permit fee is $0.0188 x construction cost; based on cost recovery
County currently at market best practice!
[P9] Minimize Inspection Turnaround Time(147)
Inspection turnaround time unclear
Perform inspection within 2 business days of request.
[P10] Offer Convenient Inspection Scheduling(94)
Inspection appointment time window is >1 day
Provide an appointment window of 2 hours or less if possible. Provide real time updates prior to arrival so contractor is aware and prepared.
[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(82)
[P12] Adopt an Inspection Checklist(21)
Solar Photovoltaic Plan Check and Field Inspection Checklist available online
County currently at market best practice! Resource available at http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/pdf/ResidentialPermitGuidelinesForPhotovoltaicSystems.pdf
[P13] Allow a Structural Exemption for Qualifying Systems(41)
Structural PE stamp is not required for residential or commercial systems
County currently at market best practice!
[P14] Understand New Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes(82)
County has adopted recent code versions including 2008 NEC
County currently at market best practice! Be aware of and consider accepting new solar standards from most recent code cycles.
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2 of 6 Goals Achieved |
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[Z1] Pursue Protection for Solar Rights and Access(72)
Solar rights and access protected at the state level
County currently at market best practice!
[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(15)
No solar-ready construction requirements currently exist
Explore creation of codes or legislation that requires new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready.
[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(66)
Many Master Plans do not reflect solar development goals
Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)
Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance addresses solar energy systems
County currently at market best practice!
[Z6] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations - Historic and Viewshed Areas(26)
Zoning code for historic and viewshed areas does not specifically address solar.
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.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)
Restrictive conditions exist in some local developments
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.
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4 of 5 Goals In Progress 2 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[F1] Support Statewide Efforts to Allow Third-Party Solar Financing, Including Solar PPAs and Leases(16)
Solar PPAs and leases are legal and supported in Maryland
County currently at market best practice!
[F4] Support Statewide Efforts to Allow Community Shared Solar Projects(3)
No community solar enabling legislation to date
County is exploring options to support state-level efforts to allow community shared solar projects.
[F5] Support Statewide Efforts to Allow PACE Financing(5)
No PACE financing programs or initiatives known to date
County has drafted Commercial PACE legislation that would offer a new financing vehicle for solar
County currently at market best practice!
[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
Limited solar financing options within the community
County working with financial institutions to establish funding sources for solar energy systems under pending Commercial PACE legislation.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Limited information available about existing solar finance options and evaluation tools
Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done by providing links and information online or via marketing materials and webinars.
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1 of 6 Goals In Progress 3 of 6 Goals Achieved |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No residential bulk purchase program has been implemented in the County
Establish a working group of community leaders and financing providers to evaluate aggregated purchasing options for residential solar based on successful case studies.
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
County has aggregated multiple government facilities and issued RFPs
County currently at market best practice!
[M6] Explore Installing Solar at Municipal Facilities, Including Landfill and Water Treatment Facilities(62)
2 MW installed at Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant in Germantown
County currently at market best practice!
[M6a] Survey Brownfield Sites for Solar Development Opportunities(12)
No known solar development at local brownfield sites
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.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
Limited solar workforce development information and tools available online
Provide online access to workforce training programs and resources for the installer community and conduct outreach in order to generate awareness and understanding.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
County offers solar energy website with customized resources for residents and businesses
County currently at market best practice!
Resources
