Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY

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: Permit application is available in person, can be downloaded online, and sent via email or regular mail if requested.

Initial Status: Permit application form can be submitted online, via email, in person or through the mail.

Initial Status: Single permit application submittal.

Initial Status: Incomplete process informaton is available online.

Guidance: Post information on the solar permitting and inspection process online in an easily accessible location. This should include the process steps, timelines, fees, point of contact, and any other pertinent information.

Initial Status: Permit applications are processed within 3 days for residential projects and 6-15 days for commercial projects.

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: Permit application fee for residential projects is a flat fee of $250 per 10kW.

Initial Status: Permit application fee for commercial projects is a flat fee of $250 per 10kW.

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

Initial Status: Inspection request turnaround time is within 2 days for both residential and commercial projects.

Initial Status: Inspection appointment window given to installer is 2 hours.

Initial Status: Single permit inspection visit with separate electrical inspection visit.

Guidance: Require only a single permit inspection. If additional inspections are required during installation, conduct 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.

Initial Status: Structural PE stamp is required for residential systems.

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements.

Initial Status: Currently on 2008 NEC, NFPA-70 and Residential Code of New York State 2010.

Guidance:

Initial Status: No local ordinance 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: Solar ready construction is not required for new construction.

Guidance: Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready.

Initial Status: Solar is not a requirement for new construction.

Guidance: Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock

Initial Status: Village Master Vision Plan is currently being developed. This Plan will will incorporate solar development.

Guidance: Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar.

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.

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 local PACE financing program.

Guidance: Establish a working group to evaluate the potential of a PACE financing program for clean energy upgrades in your jurisdiction based on national examples by local municipalities.

Initial Status: No local solar loan program available.

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

Initial Status: Limited awareness 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 aggregate solar procurement program for the residential sector.

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: Village is part of the Municipal Buyers Group.

Initial Status: No known projects at these sites currently.

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at landfills, water treatment plants, or other municipal properties. Consider working with other local agencies on a collaborative procurement to reduce costs per goal [M3]. The Solar Roadmap team can help by evaluating solar potential at (City/Town) properties.

Initial Status: Limited public access to resources and tools.

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 within the community currently.

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

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these tools locally.

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