City of Fernley, NV Solar Roadmap
Roadmap Goals and Progress
The Solar Roadmap team has worked in close coordination with the City to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing guidance on how to transform the local solar market. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, examples, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.
These roadmap goals are derived from attributes of successful solar communities nationwide, along with input from industry experts. Each goal represents a step toward making solar easier and more cost effective for all residents within the community. Your specific roadmap has been customized using the attributes that are relevant at the city-level in the local solar market.
Expand each focus area below to show its related goals, and click the 'Take Action' button to access the relevant resources designed to help you achieve these goals.
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6 of 13 Goals In Progress 10 of 13 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P1] Use a Standard Permit Application Form Specific to PV Systems(0)
No standard application form for solar PV systems.
Adopted solar specific permit application form.
City currently at best practice.
[P2] Make Permit Application Form Available Online(0)
Permit application form is not online.
Permit application form will be available online by Fall 2014
City currently at best practice.
[P3] Allow Electronic Submittal of Application Form(0)
[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(0)
Single permit application submittal is available for residents and installers.
City currently at best practice.
[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(0)
Incomplete process information online.
Permit and inspection process information and fee schedules are online.
City currently at best practice.
[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(0)
Processing time is 10 business days for all solar PV permit applications.
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.
[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(0)
[P7 old] Tracking of Permit Process Time(0)
[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(0)
[P8 old] OTC Process for Qualifying PV Projects(0)
OTC process not available
Will address for projects up to 15 kW.
Make over-the-counter permit approval available for qualifying PV projects under 10 kW using the standard solar PV permit application form. See guidance under this objective for qualifying projects.
[P9] Minimize Inspection Turnaround Time(0)
Inspection request turnaround time is usally 24hours or less.
City currently at best practice.
[P9 old] Permit Fee Information is Online(0)
No fee information online
Approved budget to use Aladin system
Provide permit fee information for residential and commercial projects online in an easily accessible location alongside of permit process and application form.
[P10] Offer Convenient Inspection Scheduling(0)
Appointment window less than 4 hours.
Inspection is scheduled for a specific time with real-time updates in case of delays.
City currently at best practice.
[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(0)
2 inspection visits - A rough electrical and a final.
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.
[P12] Adopt an Inspection Checklist(0)
Do not utilize inspection checklist
Adopt a standard regional solar PV inspection checklist, per the example(s) associated with this objective.
[P12 old] Inspection Requirements are Online(0)
Incomplete inspection requirements online
Approved budget to use Aladin system
Provide inspection information online including sample PV inspection checklist, alongside of permit process and related information.
[P13] Allow a Structural Exemption for Qualifying Systems(0)
Approval from a Structural Professional Engineer is required on all systems.
For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements.
[P14] Understand New Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes(0)
City is currently on 2012 IBC, IRC, IECC and 2010 NEC
City staff aware of solar standards from most recent code cycles.
City currently at best practice.
[P20 old] Fire Department Design Guidelines(0)
Solar friendly guidelines not adopted
Won't happen before mid February, but has to happen before June.
Consider following National (2012) Fire Code Solar Guidelines.
[P21 old] Planning Department Design Guidelines(0)
[P22 old] Give permits away for free(0)
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3 of 4 Goals In Progress |
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[Z1] Pursue Protection for Solar Rights and Access(0)
No local laws to protect solar rights and access.
Protecion of solar access is addressed in Chapter 19 of the Fernley Development code.
City currently at best practice.
[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(0)
No local solar ready ordinances or building codes.
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready.
[Z2 old] Solar Rights Law Enforcement(0)
[Z3] Require Solar on New Construction(0)
[Z3 old] Solar Easements Law(0)
[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(0)
Solar development is not addressed in planning documents.
Solar development is addressed in the Strattegic Energy Plan and the Fernley Development Code.
City currently at best practice.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(0)
No solar-friendly zoning ordinances and regulations.
Solar-frienly zoning standards are in place.
City currently at best practice.
[Z6] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations - Historic and Viewshed Areas(0)
Zoning code for historic and viewshed areas does not specifically address solar.
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.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(0)
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2 of 2 Goals In Progress |
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[F1] Support Statewide Efforts to Allow Third-Party Solar Financing, Including Solar PPAs and Leases(0)
[F2] Explore Innovative Financing Programs For Utility Customers, Including Solar Loans or Roof Leases(0)
[F3] Offer On-Bill Solar Repayment Option to Utility Customers(0)
[F4a] Explore Implementation of Community Shared Solar Program For Utility Customers(0)
[F5] Support Statewide Efforts to Allow PACE Financing(0)
[F5a] Explore Implementation of Local PACE Financing Pilot Program (0)
[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(0)
No current local solar loan program.
Will upload/ link by mid February.
Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(0)
Limited awareness of these tools locally.
Solar finance options information is available for the public.
City currently at best practice.
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5 of 5 Goals In Progress |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(0)
No current residential solar procurement program.
City is exploring solar PV aggregation program for the residential sector.
City currently at best practice.
[M2] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Commercial Sector(0)
No current commercial solar procurement program.
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.
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(0)
[M4 old] School Aggregation Program(0)
[M5] Make Solar Educational Resources Available to Customers(0)
[M6] Explore Installing Solar at Municipal Facilities, Including Landfill and Water Treatment Facilities(0)
No known solar projects at these sites currently.
Solar feasibility study for City Hall is underway.
City currently at best practice.
[M6a] Survey Brownfield Sites for Solar Development Opportunities(0)
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(0)
Limited awareness of these tools locally.
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.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(0)
Limited awareness of and access to these resources currently.
Educational resources are available to City residents and installers.
City currently at best practice.
[M9] Publicize Innovative Solar Market Development Tools(0)
Limited awareness of and access to these tools currently.
Help promote the availability of innovative market development tools for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks.
[M10] Explore Joining Clean Energy Action and Recognition Programs(0)
City is not participating in any such programs currently.
Establish a working group to explore options for setting clean energy goals for the community, including setting renewable energy development goals in long term planning documents or joining programs designed to encourage, support, and provide recognition for clean energy action.