City of Yonkers, 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: Yonkers has adopted the Unified Solar Permit

Initial Status: Application form is available online, by email, or in person

Initial Status: In person submittal is required

Guidance: Allow email submittal of permit application forms, at least for qualifying projects using the Unified Permit.

Initial Status: Only a single submittal is required

Initial Status: The City website has extensive info on the permit process, including the Unified Solar Permit form

Guidance: Permitting and inspection information is found under the "Real Estate and Homes" section of the City website

Initial Status: Typical turnaround times unknown, TBD

Guidance: Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying PV projects using the Unified Solar Permit. Per the form itself, it should be processed within two weeks, however it is not clear if the City meets this timeline.

Initial Status: Flat fee of $300 for projects using the Unified Solar Permit

Guidance: Though this fee is a little high for smaller residential projects, it is a reasonable assessment for most systems.

Initial Status: Flat free for projects using the Unified Solar Permit, though most commercial projects will have a valuation based fee

Guidance: Valuation based at $10/$1K up to $100K, $14/$1K up to $1M, and $6/$1K thereafter. Though reasonable, this could become cost prohibitive for larger commercial installations, particularly those over about 30kW. Consider capping the permit fee for commercial solar projects.

Initial Status: Typical turnaround time unknown, TBD

Guidance: Perform inspection within 2 business days of request.

Initial Status: Appointment format unknown, TBD

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: Separate inspections required for roof penetrations and electrical/structural final

Guidance: For additional preliminary inspections, consider conducting 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: Structural PE approval is required for all systems

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems on code approved residences meeting certain criteria, consider allowing an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements. This follows the guidance in the Unified Solar Permit, where an exemption from the PE letter is allowed if checklist questions #11-13 are satisfied and if the installation uses an engineered racking system.

Initial Status: 2010 Residential Code of New York State and the 2008 National Electrical Code

Guidance: Though the City is a couple code cycles behind, building officials seem knowledgeable on current solar standards. For ongoing education, see the links under the 'Take Action' button at right.

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

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: The City has encouraged developers to build solar-ready via the Green Buildings Ordinance

Guidance: In May 2013, Mayor Mike Spano signed into law a Yonkers Green Buildings ordinance, establishing a policy for the City to design and construct its facilities to be sustainable and to encourage commercial and residential developers to do the same. In June 2013, the Commissioner of Planning and Development formally adopted the Yonkers Green Development Workbook including a checklist and standards to guide this policy.

Initial Status: Though the City has made great strides in promoting solar ready construction, no mandates currently exist

Guidance: Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock. See examples of cities who have pioneered this approach under the 'Take Action' link at right.

Initial Status: The City has made solar a clear priority via the Green Buildings Ordinance

Guidance: Though the City's support for green building is clear, there are currently no long term energy goals to ensure action. Consider adopting such goals in long term planning documents such as a Comprehensive Plan or Energy Action Plan.

Initial Status: Solar is a permitted 'as-of-right' use in the zoning code, and no special use permits or planning approvals required for most projects

Guidance: For the most part, the zoning code does not specifically address solar, but existing regulations do not restrict solar in any significant way. Some projects do require approval from an Architectural Review Board.

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: Not clear whether any private groups in Yonkers have restrictive policies for solar - TBD

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.

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: Effective finance options are prevalent in Yonkers; vendor provided finance is widely available

Initial Status: Some 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 such programs have been deployed in Yonkers

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. Follow the model used in the Solarize Westchester campaigns run in neighboring communities.

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 such campaigns previously

Action Taken: City is participating in the Municipal Solar Buyers Group; RFP was issued in December 2015

Guidance: City has put several sites up for consideration in this group procurement. Find more information at http://sustainablewestchester.org/community-toolkits/muni-solar-buyers-group

Initial Status: City is pursuing solar for several facilities; see details under goal M3

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.

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: Though the City publishes limited solar information, it is effectively promoted through Sustainable Westchester and other regional sources

Guidance: See related goal F7 for additional content which may be useful to residents looking to go solar

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: Yonkers is founding member of SWEAC (soon to join Sustainable Westchester) and is a participant in the NYSolar Smart Initiative