Village of Bronxville, NY Solar Roadmap

Guidance: Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects under 10kW.

Initial Status: There is a standard application form, but nothing specific to PV. Not using the NY State Unified Solar Permit.

Guidance: Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects under 10kW. NY State has a Unified Solar Permit for this purpose.

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: Process, fee, inspection, and point of contact information available online.

Initial Status: Information is unavailable at this time.

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 valuation based and typically >$500

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

Initial Status: Permit application fee for commercial projects is valuation based and typically >$500

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

Initial Status: No information is available at this time.

Guidance: Perform inspection within 2 business days of request.

Initial Status: No information is available at this time.

Guidance: Provide an appointment window of 2 hours or less if possible. Provide real time updates prior to arrival so contractor is aware and prepared.

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: Inspection checklist currently in use.

Guidance: Ideally the checklist is standardized across the region.

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: State law allows for creation of solar easements and solar access provisions in local zoning code. No local ordinance to protect solar rights and access.

Guidance: Create local ordinances which would further 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: Bronxville's Community Plan incorporates solar priorities.

Initial Status: Zoning code 310-22F specifically addresses 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.

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: Village has numerous homeowner associations. Impact from associations is unknown.

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.

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

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

Guidance: Encourage efforts to set up a regional utility-sponsored Community Solar Program. If Community Solar is proven to be viable in the region, jurisdiction could assist in helping to recruit subscribers through existing networks.

Guidance: Support efforts to develop state-level legislation enabling local PACE programs.

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: Information on solar finance options and incentives are available online.

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.

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: No collaborative procurement programs for the municipal sector within the village.

Guidance: Consider 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: 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 Bronxville properties.

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 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.

Initial Status: Not participating in any such programs currently.

Guidance: 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.