Each state and community has its own set of codes and regulations that you will need to follow in order to add a small renewable energy system to your home or small business. These regulations can affect the type of renewable energy system you are allowed to install and who installs it. They can also affect whether you decide to connect your system to the electricity grid or use it in place of grid-supplied electricity as a stand-alone system.
Here are some of the state and community requirements you may encounter:
- Building code
- Easements
- Local covenants and ordinances
- Technology-specific requirements
Building Codes
Electrical and building inspectors ensure that your system complies with standards. Building inspectors are interested in making sure the structure you are adding is safe. Your system may be required to pass electrical and/or plumbing inspections in order to comply with local building codes.
Many building code offices also require their zoning board to grant you a conditional-use permit or a variance from the existing code before they will issue you a building permit. Check with your building code office before you buy a renewable energy system to learn about their specific inspection requirements.
You are most likely to gain the inspector's approval if you or your installer follow the National Electrical Code; install pre-engineered, packaged systems; properly brief the inspector on your installation; and include a complete set of plans as well as the diagrams that come with the system. In addition, you should be sure your system is composed of certified equipment, and that it complies with local requirements and appropriate technical standards (the links at the bottom of the page provide more information on technical standards).
Note: Although local inspectors are often not required to follow the National Electrical Code (NEC), many look to Article 690 of the NEC for guidance on equipment and wiring safety for small renewable energy system installations. Article 690 of the NEC specifically discusses photovoltaics systems, but much of the information is pertinent to small wind and microhydro systems as well. If you, your installer, or your inspector want more information on Article 690, Sandia National Laboratory in 1996 published a useful guide to installing NEC-compliant photovoltaics systems: Sandia Report.pdf
Easements
Some states permit easements, which are a voluntary, legally binding agreement between owners of adjacent land regarding use of the land. For example, you might seek an easement specifying that no structure which blocks the renewable resource necessary to run a renewable energy system will be built. These agreements are binding regardless of changing land ownership. In addition, you may want to do a title search of your deed to determine if any prior easements or other agreements exist which could prevent you from adding a renewable energy system to your own property.
Local Covenants and Ordinances
Some communities have covenants or other regulations specifying what homeowners can and can't do with their property. Sometimes these regulations prohibit the use of renewable energy systems for aesthetic or noise-control reasons. However, sometimes these regulations have provisions supporting renewable energy systems. Check with your homeowners association or local government for details. In addition, you may want to discuss your intentions with your neighbors to avoid any future public objections.
Small Solar Electric System Permits and Covenants
Before purchasing a small solar electric system, you should research your local permit and neighborhood covenant requirements.
Local Permits
You will probably need to obtain permits from your city or county building department. These include a building permit, an electrical permit, or both.
Code requirements for PV systems vary somewhat from one jurisdiction to the next, but most are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC). Article 690 in the NEC spells out requirements for designing and installing safe, reliable, code-compliant PV systems.
If you are one of the first people in your community to install a PV system, your local building department may not have experience in approving one of these systems. If this is the case, you and your PV provider can speed up the process by working closely with building officials to educate them on the technology.
Neighborhood Covenants
If you live where a homeowners association (HOA) must approve a solar electric system, you or your PV provider will likely need to submit your plans and get approval before you begin installing your PV system. However, some state laws stipulate that you have the right to install a solar electric system on your home.
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Green Dog solar package, solar dealer packages, wholesale solar panel pakcages, Phono solar panels and all other products must be orderd in "Bulk" minimum orders to any, but not limited to, the locations listed above. Solar rebates, solar credits listed in the site do not apply to internatnional orders unless verified by reciepiant (customer). Wholesale solar panel package prices, orders, and solar rebates vary per state and country. Wholesale solar panel packgaes, Solar rebates, solar credits, and solar tax incentives good only in states listed and noted by national solar rebate listing sites, but not guaranteed. All solar rebates, credits, and incentives specific to each state and municipalities, as well as local energy providers. Solar rebates to vary and sometimes not be available in some areas so up to date confirmation of solar rebates in your area are necessary to confirm if you are eligible to recieve solar rebates and said solar rebates are still available. Attached links to solar rebate sites listed by states are information of that site and cannot be confirmed or guaranteed by GreenDog Energy or Phono Solar. Solar rebates and incentives are common in the following states, but not guaranteed. California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnessota all have some sort of solar rebate as well local incentive programs. All Green Dog Energy & Phono solar panels, solar power packages, wholesale solar panel packages, and dealer power packages using the Phono solar 240 watt solar panels, and or 240 watt ac micro inverter modules warranty have the warranty on the solar panel and an individual warranty on the micro inverter as noted and listed in the specifications or otherwise noted by Green Dog Energy and Phono Solar. Micro Inverter to be specified of make, model and warranty with solar modules. Green Dog Energy is a retail and wholesale solar panel distributor of investment grade solar panels, inverters, solar racking and alternative power products. Wholesale solar panel packages, as well as wholesale packages are available and not limited to or by customers, though pricing is variable depending upon ordering reatil or wholesale solar panels packages. Solar power packages can be ordered in bulk as dealer packages or individually at retail prices listed. Solar panels can be sold wholesale if orders are bulk and or truckload or more in size. Contract pricing for wholesale solar panels, solar power packages, and solar dealers also available. Green Dog Energy is a wholesale solar panel distributor nationally and internationally Solar panels and solar power produced from photovoltaic modules that capture the energy of the sun have many different efficiencies, wattages, and performance ranges. All quality solar power solar panels go through rigorous testing and certification by to be used in the commercial markets. There is the international, IEC, CE, ETL, UL and CEC California ratings to provide for the solar panel solar power qualifications. For large scale solar power electrical generation systems utility or Investment Grade panels must be used to meet the set upon required solar power production schedules. The solar panels must produce or meet a certain percentage of maximum power to meet what the power company needs to integrate the solar power with the electrical grid. For this reason solar panels must be manufactured to meet these standards and thus have provided for a much higher quality and reliable solar panel, solar power products, on the market. All Phono Solar and Green Dog Energy solar panels strive to meet these standards and then beyond. All customers should take review of products and the market to know and understand as much as they can about solar panels, solar power, and solar panel manufacturing market and how these products are made, perform, and last. At Green Dog Energy we use only Phono solar in our solar power packages. The same solar panels we use on the large scale solar power utility scale projects. Thus giving you the same solar panel solar power reliability that we offer to the large energy producers. Solar power production varies greatly across the country so review of sun generation hours should be studied to see what type of solar panel would give you the best solar power and solar power generation over the life of the system. Solar power produced from solar panels is an excellent way to produce electricity for yourself, save money, and help the environment. But solar power generation and the solar panels do not work alone, and a deep study of your electrical consumption system can and will enhance and improve performance and solar power output in the short and long term of the solar power system. Please review you local area building and electrical codes in your investigation of installing solar panels and solar power at your business or residence.
