Getting solar permits takes patience, especially since requirements vary by the Authority Having Uurisdiction (AHJ), home condition, and system size. But, securing permits is essential, and meeting solar engineer requirements can be costly and complicated.
Some AHJs require a solar engineering review or an engineer’s stamp for approval. Many solar companies don’t have a licensed engineer on staff, making it smart to work with a trusted solar engineering firm. At GreenLancer, we have over a decade of experience providing solar structural engineering, plan sets, engineering stamps, and reviews.
Understanding Solar Engineer Requirements
Solar engineering encompasses the technical aspects of designing and installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, including performing a solar engineering review to ensure compliance with electrical and structural standards.
What Is a Solar Engineering Review?
Solar engineering involves designing and installing photovoltaic (PV) systems while ensuring compliance with electrical and structural codes. This includes site assessments, system design, load calculations, and meeting all permitting requirements. A solar engineering review verifies that a system meets safety and performance standards before solar permit approval by the AAHJ.
Why Solar Structural Engineering Matters
Solar permits require meeting both electrical and structural engineering standards. While National Electric Code (NEC) compliance ensures proper wiring and system safety, a solar engineering review verifies that the system meets structural requirements. Solar structural engineering confirms that roof-mounted or ground-mounted systems can withstand environmental forces. In regions like Dade County, Florida, hurricane-related building codes make structural requirements more stringent to prevent wind damage.
How Solar Engineer Requirements Vary by Location
AHJs set solar engineering requirements at the local level, which means permitting rules can differ significantly. Some states require solar engineering stamps even for small residential projects, while others only mandate them for commercial installations. Researching these rules early prevents project delays and costly revisions. Many AHJs publish solar permit guidelines online, but direct communication with permitting offices is sometimes necessary.
Common Solar Engineering Review Challenges
Navigating local solar engineering requirements can be complex. “The most challenging part of my work is researching and incorporating local AHJ and utility requirements into each project,” says Chad Buccine, a professional engineer at Jolt Engineering licensed in 17 states. Learning about requirements too late—after installation—can lead to costly corrections.
When Solar Structural Engineering Stamps Are Required
As project complexity increases, building departments often require a solar structural engineering stamp.
“The most challenging part of my work is researching and incorporating local AHJ and utility requirements into each project,” explains Chad Buccine, a professional Jolt Engineering engineer licensed in 17 states. “It is very costly to learn of these items from the inspector once the system is already installed.”
Solar engineer requirements vary significantly depending on location and project.
“Building departments tend to require professional engineer involvement in projects as the complexity of the project increases,” explains Chad. “In some states, it’s rare to involve a professional engineer in a residential solar project, whereas it’s pretty common in others. For commercial solar energy projects though, it’s a pretty common request across the U.S. to have an electrical engineer and/or structural engineer on the design team. Most AHJs require both due to the greater risk to human life.”
The Role of a Solar Engineer
A solar engineer plays a crucial role in permitting projects that require solar engineering reviews or professional engineering stamps. Their primary responsibility is to design code-compliant solar systems that meet solar engineer requirements while maximizing energy production and keeping project costs low.
A key part of the job is ensuring both solar structural engineering and electrical safety by adhering to building and electrical codes. This includes verifying that the roof or mounting surface can support the system’s weight and endure environmental factors like wind and snow loads. Additionally, a solar engineer must ensure the electrical components are properly integrated with the existing system to prevent hazards and optimize performance.
Solar Engineer Requirements
Most solar engineering requirements fall into two basic categories.
Solar Structural Engineering Requirements
Meeting solar structural engineering requirements involves assessing various factors to ensure safety, durability, and code compliance.
Roof Integrity
A solar engineering review includes assessing whether the roof can support the weight of solar panels and mounting systems. This evaluation considers the roof type, age, and overall condition to ensure compliance with solar structural engineering standards.
Solar Load Calculations
Meeting solar engineer requirements involves verifying that the roof or ground-mount structure can handle the additional load from the solar system. This includes accounting for environmental factors like wind and snow loads, which impact system safety and longevity.
Panel Mounting Systems
Properly designed mounting systems are essential for structural integrity. A solar engineering review ensures that these systems comply with local codes and withstand environmental conditions, preventing long-term issues or failures.
Solar Electrical Engineering Requirements
Solar electrical engineering ensures safe, efficient system integration by meeting solar engineer requirements through proper design, wiring, grounding, and inverter installation. A solar engineering review verifies compliance with codes and standards while optimizing system performance.
Solar System Design
A solar engineering review ensures the electrical system integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure while meeting all local codes and standards. Proper system design is essential for compliance with solar engineer requirements, maximizing energy production, and preventing electrical hazards.
Wiring, Components, and Grounding
Selecting the right wiring, connectors, and circuit breakers is critical for system efficiency and safety. Proper grounding and bonding prevent electrical faults and protect against surges. A solar engineering review ensures that all components meet code requirements and align with best practices in solar structural engineering to avoid overheating, voltage drops, and grounding issues.
Overcurrent Protection and Grid Interconnection
Overcurrent protection devices, such as fuses and breakers, safeguard the system from short circuits and electrical overloads. Grid-tied systems must also comply with utility interconnection rules, ensuring proper synchronization with the electrical grid. Meeting solar engineer requirements guarantees a safe, reliable connection while adhering to local utility standards.
Inverter Installation
Proper inverter installation is crucial for converting DC power from solar panels into usable AC power. Meeting solar engineer requirements ensures that inverters are correctly sized, safely installed, and compliant with all performance and safety standards. A solar engineering review verifies placement, ventilation, and wiring to optimize efficiency and longevity.
Common Solar Engineer Requirements
Although AHJ requirements vary significantly, these are some of the most common solar permitting requirements for residential and light commercial solar projects. GreenLancer specializes in helping solar contractors meet solar design and engineering requirements, and we offer the following solar engineering services for residential, commercial, and utility projects. Create an account to begin shopping for solar design and engineering services.
Solar Structural Engineering
Solar structural engineering ensures that mounting systems and support structures can withstand environmental forces over time while meeting solar engineer requirements and building codes. Since requirements vary by AHJ, a solar engineering review is only sometimes necessary to confirm compliance with local regulations.
Solar Structural Engineering Review
Design Evaluation: A comprehensive review of the structural design to confirm that the solar panel installation meets solar engineer requirements and will not compromise the integrity of the building’s structure.
Load Assessment: Ensuring that the roof or mounting surface can support the additional weight and stresses imposed by the solar system.
Structural Engineering Analysis
Load Calculations: Performing detailed calculations to evaluate the impact of the solar panels, considering factors such as wind and snow loads, while ensuring compliance with solar engineer requirements for structural safety.
Structural Integrity: Assessing whether the existing structure can handle the new load and identifying any necessary reinforcements or modifications.
Structural Engineering Letter
Professional Certification: A written statement from a licensed engineer confirming that the solar system design has been reviewed and meets all safety and regulatory requirements.
Compliance Documentation: Provides evidence that the structural aspects of the solar installation comply with local building codes and meet solar engineer requirements for safety and stability.
Solar Structural Engineering Stamp
Engineer's Seal: A licensed engineer's official stamp or seal certifying that the design and analysis have been reviewed and comply with building codes and standards.
Legal Requirement: Often required for permit approval, ensuring the installation meets all structural safety standards.
Solar Electrical Engineering
Solar electrical engineering focuses on designing and implementing electrical systems that connect solar panels to the grid or battery storage while ensuring efficient energy conversion, safety, and compliance with electrical codes. Meeting solar engineer requirements is essential for a smooth installation and approval process.
Electrical Engineering Review
Solar Design Evaluation: A detailed solar engineering review ensures the electrical system integrates safely with the existing infrastructure while complying with all applicable codes.
Component Assessment: Evaluating electrical components such as wiring, solar inverters, and disconnects for proper installation and operation.
Electrical Engineering Analysis
System Compatibility: Analyzing the electrical system to ensure it can handle the additional load and that all components are properly sized and installed.
Code Compliance: Verifying that the system meets national and local electrical codes and safety standards, a crucial step in solar structural engineering approval.
Electrical Engineering Letter
Professional Certification: A licensed engineer provides a written statement verifying that the electrical design meets solar engineer requirements and complies with all safety and regulatory standards.
Documentation of Compliance: Serves as formal proof that the electrical aspects of the solar system have undergone a solar engineering review and meet approval criteria.
Electrical Engineering Stamp
Engineer’s Seal: A licensed engineer’s official stamp certifies that the electrical design and analysis adhere to solar structural engineering codes and standards.
Permit Requirement: Often necessary for permit approval, confirming that the electrical components and design have been professionally evaluated and deemed safe.
Meeting Solar Engineering Permit Requirements
Most solar contractors fulfill solar engineer requirements either through an in-house team or by partnering with a specialized firm like GreenLancer for a solar engineering review and solar structural engineering expertise.
In-House Solar Engineering
Pros:
Integration: Easier integration with other departments and projects within your organization.
Cost Efficiency: Potentially lower long-term costs if you have existing staff with the right skills and engineering licenses.
Control: Greater control over the project and immediate access to your team if they have the time availability.
Cons:
Skill Gaps: Requires specialized knowledge and ongoing training, which may not be available internally.
Resource Allocation: Diverts resources from other important tasks or projects.
Complexity: Managing compliance, regulations, and project specifics can be challenging without dedicated expertise and the required engineering licenses.
Scalability: The in-house team may not be able to scale up as the business grows, creating a lag time in completing engineering reviews and analysis.
Licensing Challenges: Solar engineers must be licensed in the states where they operate, making it difficult for solar contractors to expand into new states.
Initial Investment: High initial costs for hiring and training specialized staff.
Time-Consuming: Establishing an in-house team and keeping them up-to-date with the latest industry standards and regulations can be time-consuming.
Risk of Turnover: Potential loss of investment if trained employees leave the company.
Limited Perspective: In-house teams might lack exposure to diverse projects and innovative solutions that external engineering firms encounter.
Hiring a Solar Engineering Company
Using a solar engineering firm to meet solar engineer requirements has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the company's expertise in solar engineering review and solar structural engineering.
Pros of Solar Engineering Firms:
Expertise and Experience: Access to specialized knowledge and experience in solar permit requirements and regulatory compliance.
Speed & Efficiency: Faster project execution with firms like GreenLancer that are familiar with the latest solar technologies and best practices.
Regulatory Compliance: Quality firms ensure solar engineering review and solar engineering stamps meet evolving codes and standards.
Scalability: You can easily increase or decrease your project capacity without hiring or firing solar engineers.
Risk Mitigation: Reduce the risk of non-compliance with evolving regulations, as quality solar engineering companies are constantly updated on industry changes.
Cost Predictability: Clear, predictable costs for solar engineering services without the overhead of maintaining a permanent in-house team.
Advanced Tools and Technology: Access to cutting-edge tools and software that might be too costly to invest in for an in-house team.
Quality Assurance: Solar engineering companies like GreenLancer have established quality control processes and can provide high-quality assurance.
Flexibility: Ability to contract projects to solar engineering firms on a project-by-project basis, providing flexibility based on workload and project needs.
Networking and Relationships: Established solar design firms often have strong relationships with local AHJs, which can expedite the permitting and inspection process.
Focus on Core Competencies: Allows your organization to focus on its core strengths and operational activities while leaving the specialized solar energy engineering tasks to experts.
Professional Liability: Engineering firms carry professional liability insurance, protecting your company from potential legal and financial risks associated with engineering errors.
Time Savings: Reduce the time spent on recruiting, training, and managing an in-house engineering team.
Cons of Solar Engineering Companies:
Less Control: Less direct oversight and potential delays in communication, making it important to use a solar engineering partner with good customer service.
Dependency: Relying on an external firm can lead to potential issues if the relationship is not managed well.
Choosing the Right Solar Engineering Company
Enjoying the benefits of using a solar engineering firm relies on careful selection. Start by evaluating the company's reputation through its track record and reviews from past clients. Verify that it holds the necessary licenses and certifications in the states where you operate.
Experience is another critical factor; prioritize firms with extensive knowledge of solar engineer requirements and a thorough understanding of solar engineering review processes. Some engineering firms specialize in other industries rather than solar structural engineering, which can result in slower turnaround times and higher costs.
Specialization in solar engineering is also important, as it indicates a deep understanding of the industry’s unique requirements. Reviewing the firm’s portfolio can provide insights into their ability to handle projects similar to yours, and asking for references from other solar installers can help you gauge satisfaction and identify any potential issues.
Streamlining the Design and Solar Engineering Process
Efficient project management is essential for streamlining the permit process. Engage with the engineering firm early in the project to identify potential challenges and develop proactive solutions. Maintain open and regular communication with all stakeholders, including the solar engineering company, permitting authorities, and clients, to ensure everyone is aligned and informed. Understand the solar permitting and engineering requirements so you don’t invest in unnecessary solar engineering services.
Ensure all documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted on time to avoid delays. Use project management software to track progress, manage timelines, and keep all parties updated. The GreenLancer platform allows contractors to create and track projects and ensures all communication is well organized in one place.
Common Solar Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Solar contractors frequently face challenges in meeting solar engineer requirements, often leading to delays in permitting and installation.
Design Revisions and Corrections
One of the biggest hurdles in the solar permitting process is addressing design revisions based on AHJ feedback. These revisions ensure compliance with local codes but can slow down projects if not handled efficiently.
A proactive approach involves maintaining clear communication with AHJs to fully understand their expectations and having a responsive solar engineering review process. Working with an experienced solar structural engineering team ensures quick, accurate updates that keep projects on track.
David DiRado, senior account manager at GreenLancer, explains how it works.
“Design revisions with GreenLancer are very cut and dry. If the city rejects a permit design from us, given that there were design mistakes, we will not charge to correct our work, unlike many other solar engineering firms. If we make a mistake, we will rectify that mistake at no extra cost. But, if the city rejects a permit due to missing an electrical or structural engineering stamp that was not ordered, we can support it by offering the required services.”
Staying Updated with Regulatory Changes
The solar industry is constantly evolving, with new regulations and standards shaping project requirements. Keeping up with these changes is essential to meeting solar engineer requirements and ensuring a smooth solar engineering review process.
To stay informed, subscribe to industry newsletters, attend webinars, and engage with professional organizations that provide updates on solar regulatory changes. Partnering with a specialized solar structural engineering team also ensures your projects align with the latest safety codes and design standards.
Meeting Permit Requirements With Solar Engineers
Effective collaboration between installers and solar engineers is vital for successful solar projects. Solar engineers provide technical expertise and design solutions that comply with regulatory requirements, while installers bring practical insights and on-the-ground experience. Open communication and coordinated efforts between these teams help address challenges swiftly, ensure timely project completion, and maintain high-quality standards in solar installations.
GreenLancer was established in 2013 to accelerate the adoption of clean energy by streamlining the design and solar engineering process. We offer a variety of solar permit design and engineering services for contracts, saving time and money.
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