City of Rockville, MD
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 Rockville, which is located in the central region of Montgomery County, Maryland. It is the county seat and a major incorporated city that forms part of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. It is situated in a good area for solar due to annual irradiance levels slightly above the national average.
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 City's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to ‘go solar’.
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 City 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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1 of 14 Goals In Progress 10 of 14 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P1] Use a Standard Permit Application Form Specific to PV Systems(18)
Solar PV has been incorporated into standard building permit application form
[P2] Make Permit Application Form Available Online(176)
Building permit application form with Solar PV reference is available online
[P3] Allow Electronic Submittal of Application Form(87)
Building permit application forms must be submitted in person or by mail
Allow email or online submittal of permit application forms via Permitting Services' forthcoming platform upgrade.
[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(164)
Building and electrical permits are required, but only 1 application form submittal is required
[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)
Information on electrical and building permit processes is currently available online
City encouraged to post specific information about the solar permitting and inspection process online, such as steps, timelines, fees, etc.
[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(75)
No expedited permitting process available for qualifying solar PV systems
Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying solar PV projects using a standard application form.
[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(85)
Residential solar permits are structured as a flat fee that is <$250
[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
Commercial permit fee is based on cost recovery (greater of $0.22/ft2 or 1.1% of total constr. cost)
[P9] Minimize Inspection Turnaround Time(147)
Inspection turnaround time for residential and commercial projects is less than 2 business days.
[P10] Offer Convenient Inspection Scheduling(94)
Inspection appointment time window is 2 hours.
[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(82)
Single comprehensive inspection is required.
[P12] Adopt an Inspection Checklist(21)
No solar PV inspection checklist currently in use.
Adopt inspection checklist similar to County's "Photovoltaic Field Inspection Checklist" and make available online.
[P13] Allow a Structural Exemption for Qualifying Systems(41)
Structural PE stamp is required on an as needed basis
Adopt policy that waives structural PE stamp for qualifying systems (see Goal P6).
[P14] Understand New Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes(82)
City has adopted recent code versions, including 2011 NEC
Be aware of and consider accepting new solar standards from most recent code cycles.
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1 of 6 Goals In Progress 4 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
[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(15)
No solar-ready construction requirements currently exist for solar PV.
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)
2002 Comprehensive Master Plan does not include solar development goals
Include solar development goals in forthcoming revision of City's Comprehensive Plan.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)
Existing zoning code regulations do not unduly restrict solar installations
[Z6] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations - Historic and Viewshed Areas(26)
Historic Preservation Department provides general sustainability guidelines for historic homes.
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)
State law prohibits restrictive covenants against solar PV for properties with sole roof ownership.
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3 of 5 Goals In Progress 3 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
City currently at market best practice!
[F4] Support Statewide Efforts to Allow Community Shared Solar Projects(3)
No community solar enabling legislation exists
City support given for state-level efforts to allow community shared solar projects.
[F5] Support Statewide Efforts to Allow PACE Financing(5)
PACE financing programs are locally determined in Maryland.
City supporting county-level legislation enabling local PACE programs.
[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
Limited solar financing options currently available within the community.
Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.
[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 to resources, including Montgomery County.
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3 of 4 Goals In Progress 2 of 4 Goals Achieved |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No residential bulk purchase program has been implemented to date in the City
Supporting regional bulk purchase being implemented by Community Power Network.
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
County has aggregated multiple government facilities and issued RFP, but City has not.
Coordinate with Montgomery County to leverage MWCOG rider clause in order to install solar PV projects on municipal facilities.
[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, including those available in Montgomery County.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
City hosts clean energy webpages with customized resources for residents and businesses
Consider expanding "Energy and Climate" or "Renewable Energy" webpages to provide additional information to constituents.
Resources
