Town of Gardnerville, NV

Initial Status: There is a standard building permit application form, but nothing specific to PV currently.

Action Taken: Plan to accomplish by February 2013

Guidance: Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects under 10kW.

Initial Status: Permit application form available online.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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

Action Taken: Plan to accomplish by February 2013

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

Initial Status: 1 submittal

Guidance: Town currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Comprehensive process information online.

Guidance: Town currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Permit turnaround time is within 5 business days residential, 10 business days commercial.

Action Taken: Will address after completing objective P1

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 a flat fee less than $250.

Guidance: Town currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Average permit fee of $1,200 including 50% discount for renewable energy projects.

Action Taken: Will adopt new codes in July and re-evaluate then.

Guidance: Base commercial permit fees on cost recovery, or if a flat fee is used keep the fee amount under $500.

Initial Status: Within 2 business days.

Guidance: Town currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Appointment window is am or pm.

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: Single comprehensive inspection.

Guidance: Town 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: Do not currently use standards from most recent code cycles.

Action Taken: Will adopt all of the 2012 codes July 1 of this year.

Guidance: Town updated to most current codes

Initial Status: No local laws to protect solar rights and access.

Guidance: Create local ordinances which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: No local solar ready ordinances or building codes.

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: Solar friendly zoning ordinances currently in place; solar permitted by right in all zones.

Guidance: Town currently at best practice.

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: Ground and wall mount systems are required to be hidden from view.

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: Town currently offers a Business Improvement Program.

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

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these tools locally.

Action Taken: Plan to accomplish by 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 current residential solar procurement program.

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 current commercial solar procurement program.

Guidance: Establish a working group of businesses and commercial property owners to leverage their solar purchasing power by aggregating facilities for solar evaluation and procurement to reduce energy costs while demonstrating community leadership.

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: Limited awareness of and access to these tools currently.

Action Taken: Plan to accomplish by February 2013

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: Plan to accomplish by February 2013

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