Amendment ID: S2477-5
Amendment 5
Solar Panels
Mr. Kennedy moves that the proposed new draft be amended by adding the following sections:
Section [X]. Solar and Energy Storage Permit Applications and Fees.
(a) AHJs shall require no more than one permit application for the installation of a solar PV system, solar thermal system, energy storage device, or a solar system combined with an energy storage device.
(b) AHJs shall allow for electronic submission of the permit application and associated documentation for the installation of a solar PV system, solar thermal system, energy storage device, or a solar system combined with an energy storage device. The AHJ shall authorize electronic signature for the permit application and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by an applicant.
(c) AHJs shall issue a final determination for a permit application to install a solar PV system, solar thermal system, energy storage device, and a solar system combined with an energy storage device within 5 business days of receiving a final application. An AHJ shall notify the applicant of any deficiencies in the application that prevent the AHJ from making a final determination no later than 3 business days from the receipt of the application.
(d) The decision of an AHJ pursuant to subdivisions (c) may be appealed to the appropriate authority within the AHJ.
(e) An AHJ shall:
(1) Not charge permit, application review, or any other related or associated fees to install a solar PV system, solar thermal system, energy storage device, or a solar system combined with an energy storage device that, in aggregate, exceed:
(A) The lesser of the actual costs in issuing the permit and/or reviewing the application or five hundred dollars for a residential application, or two thousand dollars for a nonresidential application if the device or system produces fewer than two megawatts of direct current electricity or an equivalent-sized thermal energy system; or
(B) The actual costs in issuing the permit if the device or system produces at least two megawatts of direct current electricity or an equivalent-sized thermal energy system.
(2) Clearly and individually identify all fees and taxes assessed on an application subject to this subsection (e).
Section [X]. Solar and Energy Storage Inspections.
(a) AHJs shall require no more than one inspection for a solar PV system, solar thermal system, energy storage device, or the solar system combined with an energy storage device in order for the system or device to receive a certificate of completion. The AHJ shall issue a certificate of completion no later than 10 business days following the receipt of notice from the applicant that the system or device is installed.
(b) An electric distribution company shall not require additional inspections by the electric distribution company or any other entity as a precondition to granting the customer permission to operate.
Section [X]. Maximum Time to Issue Permission To Operate.
(a) Within 10 business days of receiving a certificate of completion for a solar PV system, solar thermal system, energy storage device, or the solar system combined with an energy storage device, the electric distribution company shall issue the applicant permission to operate.
(b) Within 30 days of the effective date of this act, the department shall initiate a proceeding to develop rules to enforce the provisions of this section, including the establishment of penalties for noncompliance. Penalties established pursuant to this provision shall be no less than $100 per day per incident for each day that an electric distribution company is not in compliance with the provisions of subsection (a). The department shall finalize such rules within 180 days of the effective date of this act. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (b), subsection (a) shall take effect immediately.