CT proposed legislation.

[steveray]

I think it was written by a third grader....© says we inspect it 3 days after they apply, and then (d) says we have 10 days to approve or deny the application???? We currently have 30 days by state statute...

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

General Assembly

Committee Bill No. 6435

January Session, 2015

LCO No. 5433

*05433HB06435ET_*

Referred to Committee on ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Introduced by:

(ET)

Connecticut General Assembly - January Session, 2015

AN ACT STREAMLINING THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR RESIDENTIAL SOLAR

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General

Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2015) (a) As used in this section:

(1) "Residential solar photovoltaic system" means equipment and devices

that have the primary purpose of collecting solar energy and generating

electricity by photovoltaic effect, have a nameplate capacity of twelve

kilowatts or less, are installed on the roof of a single-family or multifamily

home, conform to the National Electrical Code, and State Building and Fire

Safety Codes and do not exceed the maximum building height authorized by the

municipality where such home is situated;

(2) "Municipality" means any town, consolidated town and city or

consolidated town and borough;

(3) "Permit" means a permit to install and interconnect a residential solar

photovoltaic system to the electric grid;

(4) "Permit applicant" means a natural person or household seeking a permit

to install a residential solar photovoltaic system;

(5) "Inspection" means a structural, electrical and fire safety inspection

of the permit applicant's residential solar photovoltaic system.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2016, each municipality shall develop a

permitting process for residential solar photovoltaic systems. Each

municipality shall develop and post on the municipality's Internet web site a

permit application for the installation of a residential solar photovoltaic

system. A municipality may allow for electronic submission of such application.

Each municipality may charge a flat fee for such permit, unless the

municipality exempts such systems from payment of permit fees pursuant to

section 29-263 of the general statutes.

© Not more than three business days after receipt of a permit

application, a municipality shall inspect the applicant's residential solar

photovoltaic system. Not more than one inspection is required for each

residential solar photovoltaic system, unless a health or safety issue is

detected during the inspection of such system. A municipality may perform a

separate fire safety inspection if deemed necessary by the municipality. Review

of the permit application shall be limited to whether the residential solar

photovoltaic system meets all health and safety requirements of municipal,

state and federal law. If the municipality makes a finding that a residential

solar photovoltaic system does not meet municipal, state or federal health and

safety requirements, such municipality may require the permit applicant to

apply for a special use permit.

(d) Not more than ten business days after receipt of a permit application,

a municipality shall inform such permit applicant whether such application is

approved or denied.

NOTE: THIS SECTION CONTAINS A FORM/CHART THAT IS NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN A

TEXT FORMAT. PLEASE CALL STATE NET AT 1-800-726-4566 FOR ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION.

Statement of Purpose:

To streamline the permitting process for residential solar photovoltaic

systems.

Co-Sponsors: REP. HOYDICK, 120th Dist.

H.B. 6435

 

[mjesse]

© says we inspect it 3 days after they apply, and then (d) says we have 10 days to approve or deny the application????

That's fantastic.

Good luck with it. Maybe Rep. Hoydick will personally do some inspections with you

 

[steveray]

Thanks MJ....But you missed the emphasis on the second syllable of the last name....

 

[jdfruit]

steveray

There is a reference to a form/chart; is it available to post so we can better understand the disconnects designed into this legislation.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Not more than one inspection is required for eachresidential solar photovoltaic system, unless a health or safety issue is

detected during the inspection of such system.

If the municipality makes a finding that a residentialsolar photovoltaic system does not meet municipal, state or federal health and

safety requirements, such municipality may require the permit applicant to

apply for a special use permit.

Higher ICE to conduct a review during the required inspection within 3 days of application. He will find multiple violations I am sure and then you can require a special use permit and do it the right way and produce more revenue for your department.

Probably will not work with out the ICE-man on board

 

[steveray]

Thanks MT....If it actually becomes an issue I would look for an "on call" inspector and just give them most of the fees. I have a couple really good electrician in mind. Revenues (should not be) a problem, they have doubled over my yearly budget expenditures in just the first fiscal 6 months, will probably quadruple for the year. But I am supposed to be getting an assistant this year.

I would have preferred a Val Kilmer/ Real Genius "Ice is nice" reference, but I the Top Gun is pretty awesome....

JD, I will look for it, not sure where it might be.....EDIT..It was just the effective date table

 

[JBI]

At least they gave you until next January to develop your process.

Sounds like the sponsor felt his permit was unduly delayed by the local AHJ...

Damn bureaucrats!

 

[steveray]

At least they gave you until next January to develop your process. Sounds like the sponsor felt his permit was unduly delayed by the local AHJ...

Damn bureaucrats!

Yep.....That is where our 30 day max turn around on a permit comes from too. Not that I object to that per se...