PSI APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS (PRE-POWERCLERK) Prcess Summary Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10 Find Installer Size System Mail Applicatin Get Reservatin Building Permit Install Get System Inspectins Submit Claim Clearance t Operate Get Rebate Check STEP 1 FIND AN INSTALLER Except fr thse systems that are self-installed, all systems must be installed by apprpriately licensed Califrnia cntractrs in accrdance with rules and regulatins adpted by the State f Califrnia Cntractrs State Licensing Bard (CSLB). Slar installatin cntractrs must have an A, B, C-10 r a C-46 license fr phtvltaic (PV) systems. PWP strngly suggests hiring an experienced licensed slar cntractr t design and install slar systems. Licensed and experienced cntractrs are the key t getting the mst prductive slar energy system pssible and aviding generatin prductin in the future. Slar energy systems must be designed and installed in cnfrmance with the manufacturer's specificatins and with all applicable electrical and building cdes and standards. Typically, the slar installer will apply fr PSI incentives n the custmer's behalf, apply fr lcal permits, and arrange fr the slar system t be intercnnected t the utility pwer grid. Installers must be familiar with PWP s rules and regulatins fr electrical design and installatin (Regulatin 21) and Distributed Generatin Intercnnectin Requirements (Regulatin 23) including metering requirements. The State f Califrnia prvides a list f pre-qualified slar installers nline at http://www.gslarcalifrnia.rg/database/search-new.php. Searching fr a slar installer by zip cde is the fastest way t find a slar installer clsest t yu, althugh any licensed cntractr may wrk n yur prject. Slar installers typically prvide free site evaluatins, cmprehensive qutes and payback infrmatin. PWP recmmends evaluating at least three (3) different cntractrs and cnsider ding the fllwing: 1. Check the status f Cntractr License at www.cslb.ca.gv. License must be an active A, B, C-10, r C-46 in rder t meet the eligibility requirements fr the PSI Prgram. 2. Check references. One f the mst reliable surces fr business references is the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 3. Examine custmer feedback. Cnduct internet searches, talk t thse wh may have used this cntractr, etc. in an effrt t find ut as much infrmatin as pssible. 4. Cmpare qutes t actual prject csts listed in weekly data sets frm the Califrnia Slar Initiative. Dwnlad here.
While PWP des nt certify r recmmend PV equipment manufacturers r installers, these internet resurces may help yu lcate ptential PV installers: G Slar Califrnia Slar Estimate Cler Planet Califrnia Slar Energy Industries Assciatin FOR SELF-INSTALLATIONS, PLEASE CALL THE CUSTOMER PROGRAMS HOTLINE AT (626) 744-6970 STEP 2 DETERMINE ENERGY NEEDS AND APPROPRIATE SIZE OF SOLAR SYSTEM Making yur hme r business energy efficient befre yu install slar energy is essential t making yur system as ecnmical and efficient as pssible. Energy-saving actins such as changing incandescent bulbs t cmpact flurescent lamps (CFLs), and replacing ld, inefficient appliances are the best way t save energy and mney while prviding real, lasting benefits t the envirnment. Energy efficiency measures als help reduce the size f the slar system yu need, saving yu thusands f dllars in up-frnt installatin csts. Speak t yur installer t determine what kind and size f slar pwer system is right fr yu. Be sure t cnsider any ptential reductins in yur energy usage that may result frm the required energy audit. Residential custmers can fulfill this requirement by prviding prf f cmpleting the Hme Energy Calculatr. STEP 3 MAIL PSI APPLICATION REQUEST FORM AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO PWP Nte: This step includes all frms necessary t apply fr a PSI rebate and intercnnectin with the PWP electric system. Include in yur applicatin package: a. PSI Applicatin Request Frm signed by bth the installer and custmer (Nte: Yu can fill in this frm at yur cmputer desktp, save it and print.) b. Single Line Diagram Prvide a cmplete set f electrical drawings shwing the electrical relatinship and descriptins f the significant electrical cmpnents such as: PV mdules, inverters, electrical service, DC discnnects, AC discnnects, utility meter, perfrmance meter, junctin bxes, wiring specs, the primary switchgear, secndary switchbard, prtective relays, transfrmers, generatrs, circuit breakers, with perating vltages, capacities, and prtective functins f the Generating Facility, the Custmer s lads, and the intercnnectin with PWP s Distributin System. If final drawings are nt available at the time f applicatin, submit tw cmplete sets f cnceptual drawings prviding the minimum necessary attributes f the slar PV system Design. Fr a list f the necessary attributes, click here.
c. Cpy f the site drawing shwing the physical relatinship f the significant electrical cmpnents f the Generating Facility such as mdules, inverters, transfrmers, and cntrl panels, the Custmer s lads and the intercnnectin with PWP s Distributin System. Diagram must shw the apprximate lcatin f all majr electric cmpnents including slar mdules, inverters, electric utput meters, cmbiner bxes, and the A.C. manually perated discnnect devices n the site plans. Here is a SAMPLE. d. Cpy f a cmpleted reprt frm the Califrnia Slar Initiative's EPBB Incentive Calculatr. If yu have questins abut cmpleting this requirement fr installatins in Pasadena, read instructins here. e. Shading Analysis Reprt generated with the use f a slar assessment tl such as the Pathfinder, "Slmetric" r any equivalent technlgy. Fr systems up t 10 kw CEC-AC with rectangular shaped areas, a shading analysis must be dne fr each separate slar array by placing the instrument at the center f where the array will be lcated and taking a reading. Fr systems with irregular shaped array areas and/r a capacity rating larger than 10 kw CEC-AC, a shading measurement must be taken at majr each crner. Fr mre infrmatin abut prper shading input requirements, please refer t Sectin 7 in the CSI Incentive Calculatr User Guide. f. Tw (2) riginal cpies f the Intercnnectin Agreement and Net Metering Agreement (custmer must wet sign bth cpies). g. The Net Metering and Surplus Cmpensatin enrllment frm. Mre infrmatin n cmpensatin fr yur system's net surplus electricity can be fund here. h. Cpy f the signed cntract between Custmer and Installer. Fr cmmercial, nnprfit and gvernment institutins, a signed letter n cmpany letterhead clearly stating the name f the selected slar vendr is sufficient while the cntract is being prcessed. i. Letter f apprval frm the Hme Owners Assciatin's Bard f Directrs (if applicable.) Mail cmplete applicatin package t: Pasadena Water and Pwer Attn: Pasadena Slar Initiative 150 S. Ls Rbles Ave. Suite 200 Pasadena, CA 91101
STEP 4 PWP APPLICATION APPROVAL & RESERVATION Pasadena Water and Pwer staff will review applicatin package and verify required dcuments fr cmpleteness and accuracy. PWP Engineering Department will evaluate applicatin package free f charge. PWP will evaluate applicatin package and apprve r reject the installatin. When the applicatin is apprved, a PWP Apprval and Reservatin Letter will be sent by PWP t custmer. Installer will be als ntified via fax r email. Installer (r custmer) must bring this letter when applying fr a building permit t the City s Department f Planning and Develpment. Once PWP apprves the applicatin, a rebate amunt will be reserved fr yu fr a limited time. T claim yur rebate, yur slar installatin must be cmpleted within 9 mnths f the applicatin apprval fr existing facilities, and within 18 mnths fr new cnstructin. If the applicatin is nt apprved, PWP will cntact installer r custmer and discuss necessary crrectins t the applicatin r supprting dcuments. Vendrs/installers wh need assistance frm PWP during the cnceptual PV system design, must pay the Initial Review fee as specified in the Applicatin and Intercnnectin Prcess Sectin f PWP s Distributed Generatin Intercnnectin Requirements (Regulatin 23). STEP 5 BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION A building permit frm the City s Department f Planning and Develpment is required befre installing a slar system n yur hme r facility. Installer (r custmer) must bring PWP s Apprval and Reservatin Letter when applying fr a building permit frm the City s Department f Planning and Develpment. Permit Center is lcated at 175 Nrth Garfield Av. Pasadena, during ur business hurs, (Mnday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. t 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. t 12:00 p.m.)fr mre infrmatin in hw t btain a building permit, visit the Permit Center website r call 626-744- 6646 STEP 6 SOLAR SYSTEM INSTALLATION Installers must be familiar with PWP s rules and regulatins fr electrical design and installatin (Regulatin 21 ) and Distributed Generatin Intercnnectin Requirements (Regulatin 23) including metering requirementssystems must be installed in cnfrmance with the manufacturers specificatins and with all applicable electrical and building cdes and standards. Installer will wrk with an electrical inspectr frm the City s Department f Planning and Develpment t make sure the installatin is in cmpliance with lcal cdes. STEP 7 SOLAR SYSTEM INSPECTION As part f the installatin prcess, yur slar installer generally handles permits required by the city. When the slar installatin is cmplete, a building inspectr frm the City s Department f Planning and Develpment will verify that the system cnfrms t building and safety cdes.
After the slar system passes inspectin, the slar system must remain in the ff psitin. Turning the slar system n befre the standard utility meter is replaced with a slar meter may cause billing errrs and additinal n the custmer s electric bill. Please nte the PV system will nt be allwed t intercnnect t the grid until PWP s Intercnnectin Agreement and Net Metering Agreement is fully executed (signed) by bth custmer and the City f Pasadena AND custmer has received written authrizatin t perate the system frm PWP. STEP 8 SUBMIT INCENTIVE CLAIM FORM After slar system has been signed ff by building inspectr, installer (r custmer) submits the Incentive Payment Claim Frm (IC) t PWP with the fllwing supprting dcuments t start the slar incentive rebate prcess: Incentive Payment Claim Frm Cpy f the Building Final Inspectin Sign-ff Cpy f Permit fees receipt Cpy f Energy Efficiency Audit Reprt Cpy f the itemized final sales invice Cmpleted riginal cpy f PSI Payment Assignment Frm (if applicable) STEP 9 SOLAR INTERCONNECTION CLEARANCE PWP persnnel will inspect, test and verify that the system was installed as designed and specified in the riginal applicatin and the equipment functins prperly. After all required dcuments n Step 8 have been submitted, Pasadena Water and Pwer will replace ld utility meter with a new Net-Meter capable f spinning and recrding net energy in bth directins. As sn as new utility meter is installed, PWP will send Letter f Intercnnectin authrizing custmer t turn the slar system n. The custmer may nw turn their slar system t the "ON" psitin after the Letter f Intercnnectin is received. >> Click here fr additinal infrmatin n meter requirements. STEP 10 RECEIVE REBATE CHECK Custmer will receive a rebate check within 2-3 weeks after submitting all the required PSI prgram dcuments. COMMENTS/QUESTIONS If yu have any cmments, suggestins, r questins regarding the Pasadena Slar Initiative, please call the Custmer Prgrams Htline at 626-744-6970 r write t slar@cityfpasadena.net