Town of Ossining, NY Solar Roadmap

Initial Status: Town is in the process of adopting the Unified Solar permit

Initial Status: Permit application forms are available online

Guidance: If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make this form available online in an easily accessible location.

Initial Status: Original, hard copies are currently required in person

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

Initial Status: Only a single submittal is required.

Initial Status: Permit process information including point-of-contact and fee schedule is available online

Initial Status: Permits are processed within 3 business days residential, 5 days commercial

Guidance: Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying PV projects using a standard application form, particularly if the NYS Unified Solar Permit Form is adopted per goal [P1].

Initial Status: Fee is valuation based and typically >$300

Guidance: Base residential permit fees on cost recovery, or if a flat fee is used keep the fee amount under $250.

Initial Status: Fee is valuation based.

Guidance: Valuation based fee will become cost prohibitive for larger commercial systems. Consider basing the commercial permit fee on cost recovery, or if a flat fee is used keep the fee amount under $500.

Initial Status: Typical turnaround time 3 -5 days for residential and >10 days for commercial systems

Guidance: Consider performing inspection within 2 business days of request, especially for standard residential systems meeting certain qualifying criteria.

Initial Status: A 4 hour window is provided

Guidance: If contractor is required to be on site for inspection, consider a method for alerting contractor of the inspector's status, such as a phone call or text when the inspector is headed for the site.

Initial Status: Separate final inspections structural, electrical, and roof penetrations.

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: Inspection checklist in use currently

Guidance: The checklist serves as a guide for inspectors and installers containing points of emphasis and common issues. Ideally this is a regional document.

Initial Status: A structural PE stamp is currently required for both residential and commercial systems.

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements. See examples of criteria used by other communities under the 'Take Action' button at right.

Initial Status: Current codes are the 2008 NEC and state codes based on the 2009 ICC

Guidance: Though the Village is on an older code cycle, officials seem knowledgeable on current solar standards. See the 'Take Action' button at right for additional resources for ongoing solar-related education for building officials.

Initial Status: State law allows for creation of solar easements and solar access provisions in local zoning code

Guidance: Consider creating local ordinances which would protect solar access by ensuring property remains shade-free and establishing a process for creating, registering, and enforcing solar easements.

Initial Status: No solar ready standards in place currently

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

Initial Status: Unknown

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

Initial Status: Town has adopted a Climate Action Plan, but nothing specific to solar

Guidance: Town has done a great job supporting energy efficiency efforts via the Climate Action Plan. Consider making solar development an official goal of the Tlown by integrating solar development goals into long term planning documents.

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar, but existing regulations do not restrict solar in any way

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.

Initial Status: Unknown whether local HOAs have any restrictive policies. To be determined.

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 rules in place supporting community solar for residential sector

Guidance: Support efforts to ensure state-level utility regulations allow community solar projects.

Initial Status: Local vendors offer 3rd party finance, and NYSERDA Green Jobs Green NY offers low interest loans

Guidance: Effective finance options are offered in the region.

Initial Status: Some awareness exists within the community currently via the Energize Finance Program

Guidance: . Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. Consider doing this by adding content to the TEAC website.

Initial Status: Town has not explored aggregated procurement for 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: No such programs known to exist locally

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: Town is exploring a joint application for the Solarize Muncipal RFI.

Guidance: Continue collaborating with agencies across the region to aggregate government facilities, including municipal buildings and schools, for solar evaluation and cost-effective procurement to demonstrate leadership and reduce energy costs while strengthening the economy and environment.

Initial Status: Town has not explored installations at specific municipal facilities.

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 Town properties.

Initial Status: Unknown whether any such sites exist locally

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

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these resources locally

Guidance: Provide online access to regional and statewide solar standards and best practices as a resource to the installer community and organize an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding.

Initial Status: Town is a member of Sustainable Westchester.

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

Initial Status: Village is a member of Sustainable Westchester.