Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY Solar Roadmap

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: Permit application is available online, by email, by mail, and in person

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

Initial Status: Permit application form can be submitted in person

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

Initial Status: Single permit application submittal.

Initial Status: All permit, inspection, and fee schedules are available online.

Initial Status: Permit applications processing time is >two weeks

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 is typically between $250 and $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 typically <$500

Guidance: Base commercial permit fees on cost recovery or consider a valuation cap to prevent larger commercial systems from becoming prohibitively expensive.

Initial Status: Inspection request turnaround time is within two days

Initial Status: Inspection appointment window given to installer is unknown 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: Three inspections are required: electrical, roof penetrations, and building

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: 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: 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.

Initial Status: No local ordinance to protect solar rights and access.

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: 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: Solar is not incorporated into long term action plans

Guidance: Include solar development goals in 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: 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: TBD; Village has numerous homeowner associations.

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: Limited awareness within the community currently.

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 within the village.

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: Village has explored solar development on municipal facilities

Guidance: Goal achieved, Village has considered solar on municipal facilities. Drawing on this initial experience, consider exploring solar feasibility at additional sites / larger sites such as landfills or water treatment plants. Per goal [M3] consider working with other local agencies on a collaborative procurement to reduce costs.

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: Village is located within Town of Greenburgh and has adopted the Town Assessment Roll (2012) allowing the Village to participate in Town's energy programs, e.g. Energize PACE financing.

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.