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III.1. SolSmart Program Application; Howard (Memo)MEMO To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Kurt Howard, Planning and Economic Development Intern Date: September 5, 2017 Subject: SolSmart Program Application Proposed Action – Staff requests the Council review requirements of the SolSmart designation program application and discuss City staff’s goal of pursuing designation. Overview In 2016, the State of Minnesota approached the City with an invitation to participate in the SolSmart program. SolSmart is a no-cost national designation program to recognize communities that promote the use of solar energy systems. With the addition of a fulltime Minnesota SolSmart Advisor and the City’s Planning and Economic Development Intern this past spring, the City had the resources to take full advantage of this program. After working with the Minnesota SolSmart Advisor over the first half of the year, staff presented initial results to the Planning & Zoning Commission during their July and August meetings. Staff has now created a draft work plan with the goal of achieving silver status designation. This memo summarizes the SolSmart program and details the City’s work plan to achieve silver status designation. During the City Council meeting, staff will review this information and ask for comments from the City Council. Attachments • SolSmart Application with Work Plan Items Highlighted • Summary of SolSmart Requirements with Documentation of Progress Included • Example of City of Brooklyn Center’s Online Checklist for Solar Energy Permitting Process. Background The SolSmart program is a no-cost national designation program designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to the implementation of solar energy systems by residents and businesses. The program primarily seeks to address “solar soft costs”, which refer to business processes or administrative costs that can increase the time and money necessary to install a solar energy system. SolSmart designation offers high-profile recognition and signals to the solar energy business community that Hopkins is open for business. Communities committed to pursuing SolSmart designation are also eligible to receive no-cost technical assistance from SolSmart advisors. Participation in the SolSmart program aligns with the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, as well as Hopkins internal sustainability goals. The City Council 2017 goals include “practice environmental responsibility.” Additionally, Chapter 4 of the Comprehensive Plan outlines goals and policies to protect solar access where possible. These goals and policies are in accordance with the Metropolitan Land Planning Act MN Statute 473.859 Subd.2, which states that “land use plans shall contain a protection element, as appropriate, […], and an element of protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems.” SolSmart Application The SolSmart program is divided into Foundational and Special Focus categories and includes both required and elective actions that communities can choose from to accrue points that accumulate toward achieving the program’s bronze, silver or gold designation thresholds. These actions are organized across a total of eight distinct categories. Permitting and Planning Zoning & Development comprise the two “Foundational Categories”, while Inspection, Construction Codes, Solar Rights, Utility Engagement, Community Engagement and Market Development & Finance comprise the six “Special Focus Categories”. A summary of the requirements for each designation level (Gold, Silver and Bronze) is attached for your reference. SolSmart Work Plan With the assistance of SolSmart staff, City staff has created a custom work plan with the goal of achieving at least silver status designation. As mentioned above, the program consists of Foundational and Special focus categories and includes both required and elective actions. The items identified by City staff to achieve silver status are highlighted on the attached draft of the SolSmart application. Many of these items are already required under Minnesota law or are minor changes to how the City reviews solar permits. Others will require creating new partnerships with utility companies or non- profit advocacy groups and changes to internal workflow that staff believes are possible with existing resources. The most significant required actions are detailed below and staff will provide additional comments about the elective actions during the City Council meeting. Chief among the required actions is the requirement to implement any zoning ordinance adjustments identified through zoning review and to allow solar-by-right as accessory use in all major zones. Staff has completed this zoning review and presented it to the Planning & Zoning Commission during the July and August meetings. Staff is actively working towards satisfying this requirement by drafting an alternative energy ordinance. Although the requirements of the SolSmart program focus specifically on solar energy, staff’s vision for a more comprehensive alternative energy ordinance would extend beyond solar energy resources to include wind, geothermal and methane gas collection energy resources as well. Staff is reviewing existing examples of such ordinances from communities across the state, as well as receiving technical assistance from SolSmart advisors. In addition to the zoning requirements, the City is also required to make changes to its permitting process. In this case, the City is required to create and make available an online checklist detailing the solar permitting process. Planning staff is in the process of coordinating with the Building Department to produce such a checklist. An example of the City of Brooklyn Center’s online checklist for their solar energy permitting process is attached. The last remaining required action is to provide cross- training of inspection and permitting staff on PV via in-person or online resources. During the meeting, staff will review the requirements of the SolSmart program application and take comments and questions from the Council. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 1 SOLSMART APPLICATION There are three levels of SolSmart designation for communities – below are the requirements for each: BRONZE: • Provide a Solar Statement outlining your community’s solar goals, and commit to tracking key metrics such as number and capacity of installed Photovoltaic (PV) systems. • Fulfill required actions in both of the Foundational Categories: • Permitting • Planning, Zoning, and Development • Earn at least 20 points in each of the two Foundational Categories (above). • Earn a total of 20 points from actions across the six Special Focus Categories: Inspection; Construction Codes; Solar Rights; Utility Engagement; Community Engagement; and Market Development and Finance. Note: Actions in any of the Special Focus Categories count toward the 20-point target. • Note: Early Adopter communities will receive 10 extra points applied toward a category of their choice. SILVER: • Fulfill the requirements to become a SolSmart Bronze Community. • Complete the two Silver-required actions in the Planning, Zoning, and Development and Inspection categories. • Earn 100 points overall from actions taken in any combination of categories. GOLD: • Fulfill the requirements to become a SolSmart Silver Community. • Complete the Gold-required action in Permitting. • Earn 200 points overall from actions taken in any combination of categories. SPECIAL AWARDS: • Communities that earn 60% of the points in a given category are eligible for special recognition. Community Data Community applying:State: Community website: Population: Other solar awards/recognition earned by community: kW of installed solar or number of installations: Contact Information Local contact: Contact title: Organization: Department: Contact email: Contact phone:  I am authorized to apply for and seek recognition for my community. I understand that community data submitted through this application will be shared online. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 2 STEP 1: SOLAR STATEMENT Solar Statement – Required for Designation Our Solar Statement: (Cut and paste your Solar Statement in the box below) Communities interested in pursuing SolSmart designation must indicate their commitment to supporting solar development in their community. These letters should include: • A commitment to participate in the SolSmart designation process • A statement of solar goals, areas of focus or community priorities (e.g. Encouraging solar development on vacant lots or supporting non-profit led initiatives) • Past achievements or programs related to solar and/or renewable energy • Commitment to tracking metrics related to solar and/or provide benchmark of available solar metrics (i.e. number of installed municipal systems or growth in residential installations) • A commitment of staff time and resources to improve the local environment for solar These letters do not need to be more than a page in length. Examples are included below from communities that participated in SolSmart’s Early Adopter program. The SolSmart team can assist communities in prioritizing and establishing goals. Resources and Examples: Burlington, Vermont, and Brownsville, Texas Documentation: (Please share a link to a public webpage where your Solar Statement is displayed or attach it as a document.) SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 3 STEP 2: FOUNDATIONAL CATEGORIES: PERMITTING AND PLANNING, ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT To earn SolSmart Bronze designation, communities must: • Complete the required actions in both Foundational Categories – i.e., Permitting and Planning, Zoning and Development. • Earn at least 20 points in each of the Foundational Categories. Permitting Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Create and make available an online checklist detailing the steps of your community’s solar permitting process (Required). Req’d  Share link: Provide a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems with turn-around time of no more than 3 days (Required for Gold). 20 Req’d for Gold  Share link: Distinguish between systems qualifying for streamlined or standard review.5 Share link: Require no more than one application form for a residential rooftop PV project.5 Share link: Review of solar permit fees for residential and commercial solar.5 Share link:  Earn additional points: Revise or demonstrate that permit fees reflect national best practices (e.g. $400 or less for residential, and based on cost-recovery for commercial). 5  Share link: Review permitting process for efficiency improvements and reduce processing time to 10 days or fewer.10 Share link: Adopt a standard solar permit form aligned with best practices (e.g. Solar ABCs).10 Share link: Train permitting staff on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems.10 Share link: Train fire and safety staff on solar PV.10 Share link: Develop a regular communication schedule to solicit recommendations from the solar installer community regarding procedural changes.10  Share link: Offer an online process for permitting submission and approval.20 Share link: Share open source permit data with fire, safety, and other key third parties.20 Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 4 Planning, Zoning and Development Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Review zoning requirements and remove restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit PV development. Compile findings in a memo, and commit to reducing barriers to PV during next zoning review. (Required). Examples include: height restrictions; set-back requirements; allowing solar “by-right” in residential and commercial zones without requiring a conditional use permit. Req’d  Share link: Allow solar by-right and as an accessory use in all major zones, and implement any zoning ordinance adjustments identified through the zoning review to improve solar-friendliness. (Required for Silver and Gold). 20 Req’d for Silver and Gold  Share link: Review existing planning documents and identify new opportunities (not already included) to integrate PV into planning goals.5  Share link: Provide clear guidance for solar in historic and special-use districts.10  Share link: Integrate solar and/or shared solar into relevant local plans (e.g. energy plan, climate plan, comprehensive plan).10  Share link: Include considerations for active and passive solar in development regulations (e.g. providing guidance for orientation of structures in subdivision regulations).10  Share link: Provide development incentives for solar within the subdivision or zoning process, or as part of other development incentives (e.g., density or height bonuses for buildings that plan to install solar or tax-increment financing).20  Share link: Encourage or incentivize solar development on parking lots, vacant lots, landfills, buffer lands around uses with nuisances (e.g. refineries, wastewater plants), brownfields or formerly contaminated lands, airport safety zones (with FAA approval), and non-building structures. 20  Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 5 STEP 3: SPECIAL FOCUS CATEGORIES To earn SolSmart Bronze designation, communities must: • Earn 20 points (total) from actions taken across the 6 Special Focus Categories: Inspection; Construction Codes; Solar Rights; Utility Engagement; Community Engagement; or Market Development and Finance. Any action in any Special Focus Category counts toward the goal of earning 20 points. Special Focus: Inspection Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Provide cross-training of inspection and permitting staff on solar PV via in-person or online resources. (Required for Silver and Gold). 20 Req’d for Silver and Gold  Share link: Eliminate excess inspections and consolidate inspection trips for solar PV.10 Share link: Offer inspection appointment times in lieu of appointment windows.10 Share link: Make inspection requirements for PV available online.10 Share link: Have a fixed time frame between inspection requests and scheduling of inspections of no more than 10 days.10 Share link: Provide an online process for scheduling and responding to inspection requests.20 Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. Special Focus: Construction Codes Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Develop and provide Solar Ready Construction Guidelines for developers to enable lower cost installation of future solar installations on buildings within the permitting office and online.10  Share link:  Earn additional points: Include guidance for solar on parking lots and other types of non-traditional structures.10  Share link: Require or incentivize new construction to be solar ready to complete future installations at lower cost.10 Share link: Offer design guidelines for PV aligned with National Electrical Code and fire code.20 Share link: Adopt the most recent codes from the International Code Council.20 Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 6 Special Focus: Solar Rights Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Conduct review of state policies related to protecting rights of property owners to install solar and solar system owners’ right to sunlight on their property. Make this information available to residents. 5  Share link: Provide consumer protection resources on solar.5 Share link: Develop local process to enable solar rights through a solar access ordinance.10 Share link: Offer procedure for recording solar easements for property owners.10 Share link: Engage homeowners and neighborhood associations and discourage unnecessarily restrictive requirements for PV through meetings with leadership.10  Share link:  Earn additional points: Encourage subdivisions to consider shared solar allowances.5  Share link:  Earn additional points: Work with homeowners associations to develop appropriate guideline documents for solar PV. 5  Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. Special Focus: Utility Engagement Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Review best practices for integrating interconnection with electrical inspections and share best practices with staff.5 Share link: Discuss community or shared solar programs with the local utility.10 Share link: Engage and communicate with the utility on community goals for solar, net metering, and interconnection processes.10 Share link:  Earn additional points: Coordinate with regional organizations or other local governments to engage utilities. 5  Share link: Coordinate utility and city inspections for solar PV, reducing the total number of inspections needed.20 Share link: Launch and support a utility-provided community solar program.20 Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 7 Special Focus: Community Engagement Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Host a solar workshop open to the general public and/or local government staff explaining PV opportunities and policies.5 Share link: Create and distribute educational materials at relevant community events and through local government channels.5 Share link: Establish partnerships with local non-profits or organizations on solar with multi-year goal or planned initiatives.5 Share link: Publicly encourage community solar projects or solar projects on community facilities.5 Share link: Engage the community in robust, ongoing discussion around climate, energy, or sustainability plans.5 Share link: Create a solar landing page on local government’s website with information on the community’s solar goals and local resources for solar development.10  Share link: Convene an active energy task force or solar working group that meets at least three times per year.10 Share link: Encourage solar on non-profit or community facilities through fee waivers, technical assistance, or other support.10 Share link: Conduct feasibility analysis for solar on brownfields, landfills, formerly contaminated lands and/or other under-utilized properties.10  Share link: Install or lease land for solar development on brownfields, landfills, formerly contaminated lands and/or other under-utilized properties.20  Share link: Support or host a community-group purchase program (e.g., Solarize).20  Share link:  Earn additional points: Design program or create financing support options to encourage low-to-moderate income participation in community solar initiatives. 10  Share link: Create and publish job training and placement opportunities for solar in coordination with local community colleges.20  Share link: Engage with regional organizations on advancing solar policies in the region including, but not limited to, unified permitting processes and group procurement opportunities.20  Share link: Demonstrate activity in state-level conversations regarding solar PV.20 Share link: Create and share an interactive solar map for your community.20 Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 8 Special Focus: Market Development and Finance Action Points We’ve done this!Documentation Provide resources on active solar installers and/or local incentives for solar.5 Share link: Make solar metrics publicly available.5 Share link: Provide information to consumers about different solar PV financing options, including commercial options, such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing.5  Share link: Conduct feasibility analysis for solar PV installations on public facilities.10 Share link: If applicable, provide PACE financing in your community.10 Share link: Install solar capacity on local facilities.20 Share link: Provide local incentives (i.e. permit fee waivers or rebates) or locally-enabled finance (e.g., a revolving loan fund) for solar.20 Share link: Engage local banks, credit unions, foundations and/or community funds about lending for solar PV projects through in-person meetings, discussions, and/or workshops.20  Share link: Demonstrate that the community’s installed per capita capacity is above top 20% of states (>99 watts/person).20 Share link: Integrate solar with other distributed or emerging technologies such as storage, combined heat and power systems or electric vehicles in at least one installed or proposed project.20  Share link: Develop feasibility analysis or planning for resilient solar technologies for critical facilities and emergency planning such as solar and storage.20  Share link: Total Points: Add up the total number of points you believe you have achieved in this category. SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 9 INNOVATIVE ACTIONS The actions identified in the categories above represent many of the most common and impactful efforts communities are taking to reduce soft costs and make going solar easier and more affordable for residents. However, we know that communities across the country are developing innovative ways to help reduce soft costs. If your community has taken action to reduce soft costs that wasn’t captured in the above application, please share it with us in the table below. Innovative actions will be reviewed by a team of solar experts and each action may be worth up to 20 points. Innovative Actions Category Action(s)Documentation Permitting Share link: Planning, Zoning and Development Share link: Inspection Share link: Construction Codes Share link: Solar Rights Share link: Utility Engagement Share link: Community Engagement Share link: Market Development and Finance Share link: SolSmart Application Version 1.0 | 10 Designation Checklist Step Completed STEP 1: SOLAR STATEMENT Solar Statement Statement Submitted  STEP 2: FOUNDATIONAL CATEGORIES Permitting Required Action(s)Points: 20+ required for Bronze  Planning, Zoning, Development Required Action(s)Points: 20+ required for Bronze  STEP 3: SPECIAL FOCUS CATEGORY POINTS Inspection Points:  Construction Codes Points:  Solar Rights Points:  Utility Engagement Points:  Community Engagement Points:  Market Development and Finance Points:  Special Focus PointsMust be 20 or greater for Bronze TOTAL POINTS including foundational Must be at least 100 for Silver and 200 for Gold SolSmart Designation Criteria Bronze • Provide Solar Statement. (Complete) • Create online checklist for solar permitting process. (In progress) • Review zoning requirements and remove restrictions. (Complete) • Earn 20 of 130 possible points in Permitting category. (Claimed 25/130) • Earn 20 of 95 possible points in Planning, Zoning and Development category. (Claimed 15/95) • Earn 20 of 620 possible points across six Special Focus Categories. (Claimed 175/620) Silver • Achieve bronze designation. • Allow solar-by-right as accessory use in all major zones and implement any zoning ordinance adjustments identified through zoning review (In progress). • Provide cross-training of inspection and permitting staff on solar PV via in-person or online resources (Claimed). • Earn 100 of 820 possible points overall from actions taken in any combination of categories (Claimed 215/820). Gold • Achieve silver designation. • Provide streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems with no more than 3 day turn-around. • Earn 200 points overall from actions taken in any combination of categories (Claimed 215/820). *Actions marked as “claimed” are actions that have been submitted to SolSmart officials for review. Residential Solar Electric System 4-21-14 Page 1 RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM- PERMIT SUPPLEMENTAL Before approval and issuance of permit(s) for Solar Panel/Photovoltaic systems, a building permit application must be submitted along with all information requested including the information in this permit supplemental. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. (DETAILS OF SUBMITTALS ARE PROVIDED IN THIS SUPPLEMENT.) 1. Building Permit Application. 2. Electrical Permit Application (may be submitted prior to construction). 3. Site Plan. 4. Construction drawings including elevations. (Provide roof load and hardware uplift calculations.) 5. Manufacturer specifications. 6. Photos showing the condition of the roof. 7. If required, study from licensed Engineer. 8. A drawing showing the layout of the solar panels on the roof. If there are tracks, a separate drawing showing the layout of the tracks. I. SITE AND CONTACT INFORMATION Site Address ___________________________________________ Date of Application__________________ Property Owner Name______________________________________________________________________ Contractor Information Company Name __________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________State _________________ Zip Code ________________ Company Phone _____________________________________ License No.___________________________ Contact Person ________________________________________Email ______________________________ II. SOLAR SYSTEM INFORMATION 1. Provide the name brand and model of the solar panels. _____________________________________ 2. What is the system’s Kilowatt rating (DC)? _______________________________________________ 3. Type of System: Inter-tie______ Stand Alone______ 4. Does the system include battery backup or an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)? Yes No If yes, provide the number, size and location of the batteries ._________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ 5. If roof mounted, identify type of roof. Flat Roof_______ Sloped ________ Roof Pitch _________ 6. Describe roofing materials, condition of roof and approximate age (shingles, tile, metal, ballasted, membrane). ______________________________________________________________________ City of Brooklyn Center Building & Community Standards 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2199 Ph: (763)569-3330 TTY 711 Fax: (763)569-3360 www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org Residential Solar Electric System 4-21-14 Page 2 7. Solar panels may not be allowed on existing roofs with two layers of shingles. Please indicate the number of roofing layers on existing roof. ________ 8. Provide calculations that show the hardware used to secure the panels are able to handle the manufacture uplift values. 9. If staked to the ground, submit staking and grounding information. III. REQUIRED DRAWINGS AND PLANS FOR RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM Provide construction drawings that include a building section detail and complete notation of method of fastening equipment to the roof of the subject property, including the following details. Required drawings must be scaled, dimensioned and legible. 1. Cross section that identifies rafter size, spacing and span dimension and approximate roof slope. (See example above.) 2. Identify style, diameter, and length of embedment of bolts (i.e. 5/16 inch lags with minimum 3 inch embedment into framing, blocking or bracing). Construction drawings included? _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Construction drawings included? Yes No Example of a framing cross-section illustration. Residential Solar Electric System 4-21-14 Page 3 3. Provide manufacturer specification materials for all equipment, fasteners, etc. 4. Provide an elevation of the structure indicating the appearance of the proposed solar installation. Note the finished height of the system above the roof or, if ground - mounted, above the ground. a. Elevation drawing included? Yes No 5. Provide a site plan indicating the buildings and features of the property. The site plan must show property line locations, approximate location of all structures, the location(s) of the panel installations, setback from property lines, the main service location, and, if applicable, the solar easement across adjoining properties. For roof-mounted systems identify the setback dimension from the peak and from all edges of the roof. An on-site inspection may be required. Property line setbacks must be verified by the owner or contractor. a. Site plan included? Yes No 6. Is the equipment to be flush mounted to the roof mounted such that the collector surface is parallel to the roof? Yes No 7. The minimum structural threshold for installing a flush-mounted PV system is a roof structure with at least 2 inch x 4 inch rafters no more than 24 inches on-center spacing. Does the roof structure use 2 inch x 4 inch or larger rafters, spaced no wider than 24 inches on center? Yes No 8. For roof installations, roof decking and structural supports should all be in good condition without visible roof sag/deflection. If the roof has more than one layer of roof coverings or is in poor condition, it may be required to be replaced prior to installation of solar panels. Is the roof structure in good condition, having no visible sag, cracking or splintering of rafters, or other potential structural defect? Yes No Residential Solar Electric System 4-21-14 Page 4 a. If roof structure is accessible, please provide a photo showing the condition of the roof. If roof structure is not accessible, please provide an exterior photo, side view, of the roof. Picture Provided? Yes No IV. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION You may be required to provide additional documentation if the equipment is not flush mounted, the rafter space is more than 24 inches, or the roof is not in good condition. 1. If not a f lush mount system, provide a side elevation identifying the pitch and height of the collector and mounting system relative to the roof. 2. Certain situations may require a structural engineer such as:  Commercial flat roof project (per Minnesota State Statute 326.02).  Residential flat roof that is raised above the roof system with no support below.  The proposed system is designed above the structure and will endure additional loads such as wind pressure and snow load.  The structural system is in poor condition or has damaged areas.  The structure is built into grade or a horizontal slope. (Soil loads may apply.)  There may be additional water pressure when located to a pond or pool. 3. If a study or statement is required from a Minnesota licensed/certif ied structural engineer, approval can come in the following forms: a. Construction plans denoting the roof structure and any modif ications to the structure, as well as the method of installation of solar collector on the subject property. b. Letter from engineer accomplishing the same as above if the engineer feels that letter format will provide the necessary information.