Town of Blacksburg, VA

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: Building permit application forms are available online, though no PV specific form currently in use

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice! If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online in an easily accessible location.

Initial Status: Solar PV permit application form can be submitted via email, but not online

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Only 1 permit application submittal is required

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Solar PV permitting and inspection process information available by email and in person

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: Same day permit issuance for residential and commercial projects

Guidance: Town at market best practice!

Initial Status: Flat residential solar PV permit fee of $30

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Commercial solar PV permit fee is $3.50/$1000 + 2% of the total project cost

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

Initial Status: Inspection is performed within 2 business days of request

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Town offers morning or afternoon appointment window and inspector calls ahead when on the way

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Multiple inspection visits are required

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: Civil, mechanical and structural PE stamps are 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: Current knowledge level of staff regarding recent solar standards unknown

Guidance: Be aware of and consider accepting new solar standards from most recent code cycles.

Initial Status: No protection of solar access for homeowners and business owners

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 policies or guidance given to developers regarding solar-ready construction

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

Initial Status: No solar PV requirements for new construction

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

Initial Status: Solar PV goals incorporated into 2012 Comprehensive Plan

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Zoning code addresses and supports solar PV

Guidance: Town currently at market 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: Restrictive conditions may exist in some local developments

Guidance: Work with homeowners associations to ensure that their covenant, conditions, and restrictions and bylaws do not create undue barriers to solar installations.

Initial Status: Solar PPAs are legal only for certain organizations in Virginia under a pilot program

Guidance: Support efforts to ensure state-level utility regulations do not restrict these finance mechanisms.

Initial Status: Virginia passed legislation authorizing local governments to establish PACE loan programs

Guidance: Establish a working group to evaluate the potential of a PACE financing program for clean energy upgrades in your Town.

Initial Status: A handful of local banks are offering loans to Solarize Blacksburg customers

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice! Encourage local financial institutions to continue offering loan programs for solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Limited solar information and resources are currently available online

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and evaluation tools for potential customers. This can be done by providing links and information online, marketing materials, or webinars.

Initial Status: Town currently supporting implementation of Solarize Blacksburg

Guidance: Town currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: No collaborative solar procurement has been implemented to date

Guidance: Consider aggregating municipal facilities or collaborating with towns across the region to aggregate facilities for a cost-effective procurement.

Initial Status: No solar PV systems known to exist on landfills or water treatment facilities

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites.

Initial Status: No solar PV known to exist on brownfield sites

Guidance: Establish a working group to explore solar development options across the state, following the best practices and case studies provided. Share information with market stakeholders.

Initial Status: Limited solar information and resources are currently available online

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 solar information and resources are currently available online

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