Town of DeWitt, NY

Initial Status: Have reviewed and considered using a standard PV permit application form

Guidance: Town Planning Board has considered, they may offer as a recommendation to the Town Board. Existing solar ordinance would need to be modified.

Initial Status: Building permit application forms are available online, though no PV specific forms

Guidance: Goal achieved. Consider also making the Unified Solar Permit available online.

Initial Status: Original, hard copies are currently required in person or via mail

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

Initial Status: Only a single submittal is required.

Guidance: Town currently at best practice

Initial Status: Permit process info including point-of-contact available online, though nothing PV-specific

Guidance: Provide additional solar-specific information online. Include submittal requirements, fees, and inspection checklist (if used).

Initial Status: Permit process currently takes about 1 week

Guidance: Current turnaround time is good. Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying PV projects using a standard application form per goal [P1-NY].

Initial Status: Valuation open ended, $60 + $6/1000 of install cost. Most residential projects come in under $250.

Guidance: Goal achieved

Initial Status: Valuation open ended, $60 + $6/1000 of install cost.

Guidance: For larger commercial projects, permit fee may become prohibitive. Consider capping the fee at $500, or basing the fee on cost recovery.

Initial Status: Within 48 hours of inspection request

Guidance: Very quick turnaround times currently.

Initial Status: A set time is provided

Guidance: Currently at best practice

Initial Status: Electrical rough-in and comprehensive final inspections

Guidance: Consider requiring a single permit inspection for known installers, or conducting pre-final inspections 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. Ideally this is a regional document.

Initial Status: Structural PE required for residential and commercial

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements. See the Unified Solar Permit (goal P1-NY) for more information on the qualifying criteria. Adopting the Unified Solar Permit can also satisfy this goal.

Initial Status: State law allows for creation of solar easements and solar access provisions in local zoning code

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. Follow guidelines in Footnote 4 of the Town Sustainability Policy, or explore some of the sample resources under the 'Take Action' link at right.

Initial Status: No solar ready standards in place currently

Action Taken: Town is interested in having an education presentation on this topic to their Board

Guidance: Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready. Follow guidelines in Footnotes 2 and 3 of the Town Sustainability Policy, or explore some of the sample resources under the 'Take Action' link at right.

Initial Status: Town Sustainability policy promotes solar-ready construction and use of solar on Town buildings

Guidance: Currently at best practice

Initial Status: No permits require public hearing or special permit, though not all structures allowed by right

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations, such as setbacks, height limits, lot use provisions, or aesthetic requirements, do not restrict property owners' ability to install solar.

Initial Status: Unknown whether any such zones exist in DeWitt

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: Unknown whether any local HOAs or COAs have restrictive policies

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: No PACE program in place

Action Taken: Town is considering PACE options currently, including an upcoming discussion with Energize NY

Initial Status: Local vendors offer 3rd party finance, and NYSERDA Green Jobs Green NY offers low interest loans

Guidance: Effective finance options are offered in the region.

Initial Status: Some awareness exists 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 program to date

Action Taken: Town is planning to participate in regional procurement, with particular interest in landfill site

Guidance: Continue participation in regional collaborative procurement. This also supports Town Sustainability Policy Statement 3 (Explore the use of solar water heaters, photovoltaics and wind energy on Town buildings).

Initial Status: Install at Town Hall in 2011. No known solar projects at landfill/WTP/other Town sites currently

Guidance: Town has installed solar. The ASTI team can help evaluate the feasibility of additional municipal sites, including the old landfill site. The DeWitt Climate Action Plan highlights the emissions reductions benefits of a 2MW installation at the landfill site.

Initial Status: Some awareness of these resources locally. Town has good info/links on Green Initiatives webpage.

Guidance: Green Initiatives section of Town website has significant content related to sustainability and solar. Consider expanding the content by adding tools and resources for end users in the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets. Examples of such content are found at the 'Take Action' link at right; see also the resources associated with goal [F7]. The DeWitt Climate Action Plan highlights the significant emissions reduction benefits if 5% of occupied homes in DeWitt install solar. Town can help encourage this activity via educational outreach.