Before installing a solar system, battery storage, or EV charger, getting permission from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is critical. However, solar and EV charging station permitting and interconnection requirements vary widely across the United States, depending on state, county, city or municipality, and utility company.
A wet stamp or professional engineer (PE) stamp is often required to permit certain projects. Yet, many people don't understand the wet stamp meaning, creating confusion.
For example, some municipalities require an electrical permit to install solar panels, while others require a building permit. Likewise, some counties and cities may have local ordinances that amend state building codes due to climatic, topographic, or geologic factors. Therefore, solar permitting requirements vary across states and even counties within the same state.
Solar and EV permitting requirements are based partially on the National Electrical Code (NEC) and building codes. However, some AHJs require PE-stamped drawings or other solar engineering requirements.
This requires working with an electrical, structural, or civil engineer to review the project plans and provide their digital seal. It involves a third party with extensive engineering knowledge to check site plans and solar designs. However, cities might not require PE stamps for all projects. In some cases, a letter from a state-licensed engineer stating the building can handle the additional solar system load is required.
Before starting the solar permitting process, it’s essential to get organized and determine if PE-stamped PV drawings, an engineering review, or letters are required.
What Is A PE Stamp or Engineering Wet Stamp?
Many industries have standards that contractors must follow. PE stamps are commonly used in fields such as engineering, architecture, notarization, and surveying, where official documents require verification and validation. A PE stamp or wet stamp means a solar power installation, EV charger, or energy storage project has been designed to applicable codes and professional standards.
This means that a PE has offered their “registration seal” on the drawings, showing that it is an engineer-certified plan. It shifts liability because it shows that an engineer is responsible for the plan’s integrity. Sometimes, PE stamps are required, whereas other times, they are optional.
A wet stamp is applied via ink or embossing on paper plans and includes an ink signature and date. It often includes important identifying information, such as the professional's name, title, license number, and sometimes the organization or agency they are affiliated with. However, many AHJs allow digital engineering stamps. When possible, using digital stamps on drawings instead of wet stamps helps expedite the process, saving time, money, and paper.
A certified PE can provide an engineering wet stamp. Certification requires a 4-year degree, working under another PE, and passing two exams. Each state regulates the given PE qualifications.
Is a PE Stamp And Wet Stamp The Same Thing?
A PE stamp and a wet stamp are related but not identical. While both are used for document certification, the PE stamp specifically refers to the certification provided by a licensed Professional Engineer or PE. It signifies that the engineering work has been reviewed and approved by a qualified engineer, ensuring it complies with safety standards and regulations.
In contrast, the term wet stamp refers to the physical stamping process of certifying documents, not limited to engineering. The wet stamp meaning involves the actual, physical imprint (often raised or inked) applied to a document by licensed professionals across different fields, including engineering, architecture, and surveying, to officially validate their work. While a PE stamp is a type of wet stamp, not all wet stamps are used exclusively by engineers.
Both stamps are critical for ensuring the legitimacy and safety of professional work, but the PE stamp specifically confirms a licensed engineer's responsibility for the document.
Why Are Wet Stamps Or PE Stamps Important?
Getting the right engineering wet stamp or PE stamp is vital to any project – and must be completed by a certified engineer. This critical step ensures that the system passes muster, fulfilling safety requirements and ensuring the system will run as expected. Engineers will walk through complex calculations to check and validate system viability. If a project does not receive the proper checks and official wet stamps, clients could have major safety and use concerns as their system comes online.
How To Get a Solar Engineering Stamp
Some AHJs require ink or an embossed stamp on paper drawings. This involves using paper drawings for a project. However, if an AHJ merely requires engineer-approved drawings, the engineer can often sign off on digital copies. Using digital sealing and e-signatures can save time, paper, and money over wet stamps when feasible.
Working with a PE is required to obtain wet stamps or digital engineer seals. Solar, battery storage, and EV charging station professionals often use a professional service to meet this requirement. Pricing varies for engineering services and usually depends on how many drawings require engineering stamps.
GreenLancer offers engineering review services, including reviewing permit plan sets and PE seals for an AHJ. In addition, GreenLancer offers electrical, structural, and civil analysis, digital stamps, and wet stamps from licensed professional engineers for solar energy, EV charging stations, and generator projects.
Types of PE Stamps for Solar & EV Charging Projects
PE stamps are critical in certifying that installations meet regulatory, safety, and technical standards for solar and EV charging station projects. Here’s a deeper look at the various types of engineering stamps commonly required:
Electrical Engineering Stamps
An electrical engineering stamp is essential for certifying the electrical design of solar systems and EV charging stations. The electrical infrastructure must handle the load introduced by the installation. In solar projects, this includes evaluating factors like wire sizing, inverter specifications, and interconnection methods to ensure that the system integrates properly with the local grid. For EV charging, the stamp certifies the charger’s ability to meet the power supply demands without overloading the grid or creating safety hazards.
This stamp guarantees compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local utility requirements for solar and EV charging installations. Electrical engineers also consider fire safety and surge protection, as improper designs can lead to overheating or dangerous faults in the system.
Structural Engineering Stamps
A structural engineering stamp is crucial when installing solar panels or EV infrastructure, as it affects the structural integrity of a building or requires ground mounting. Engineers must evaluate the ability of the roof or foundation to support the added weight of solar panels, considering factors such as:
Roof Framing and Load Calculations: Engineers assess how the solar panels’ weight interacts with the building’s existing structure. This includes calculations for vertical loads, such as the panels' weight, and dynamic loads, like wind or snow.
Seismic and Wind Loads: Structural engineers must ensure that the mounting system can withstand these forces in regions prone to earthquakes or high winds, such as coastal or hurricane-prone areas. They may use wind load calculations and seismic reinforcement methods to certify that the installation complies with International Building Code (IBC) standards and local amendments.
Structural engineers must ensure the foundations can support ground-mounted PV systems while accounting for soil composition and maximum wind speeds. In such cases, wet stamps or PE-stamped drawings provide AHJs with certified evidence of the project’s safety.
Civil Engineering Stamps
While less common in residential solar projects, civil engineering stamps are often required for large-scale solar farms or public EV charging stations. Civil engineers focus on the infrastructure surrounding the installation, which can include:
Site Grading and Drainage: Civil engineers may need to ensure proper site preparation, addressing issues like erosion control, drainage systems, and land leveling for solar farms.
Roads, Parking, and Utilities: For EV charging stations, especially those in public or commercial spaces, civil engineers are responsible for designing access roads, parking lot layouts, and utility connections that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure. They may also ensure that the installation meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance for accessibility.
Civil engineers may provide wet stamps or PE stamps to verify that the site development complies with local building codes, environmental regulations, and infrastructure standards.
What are the Licensing Requirements for a PE Stamp?
Licensing requirements for obtaining a PE (Professional Engineer) stamp vary by state and jurisdiction. Still, there are some common requirements that most engineers must meet to be eligible to use a PE stamp. Here are some general guidelines regarding PE licensing requirements:
Education: Typically, individuals seeking a PE license must have a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent. Some states may require additional education, such as a master's degree or specific coursework.
Experience: Most states require a certain amount of work experience under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer, which can range from 4 to 8 years, depending on the state and the individual's education level.
Examination: To obtain a PE license, engineers usually must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams. The PE exam is specific to the engineer's discipline (e.g., civil engineering, mechanical engineering).
Ethics: Engineers are required to adhere to a code of ethics and conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner.
Licensed professional engineers are typically required to be licensed in the state where they offer engineering services. This ensures that they comply with local regulations, codes, and standards. However, some states have reciprocity agreements that allow engineers licensed in one state to obtain a license in another state without having to take additional exams, provided they meet certain requirements.
Engineers should know the licensing requirements specific to the state or jurisdiction in which they intend to practice. They should contact the state licensing board or regulatory agency for engineering to get detailed information on the specific requirements and processes for obtaining a PE license and using a PE stamp in that state.
When Are PE Stamps Required For Solar Permitting?
PE stamps are often necessary for solar permitting in the following situations:
Structural Modifications: If the solar installation involves structural modifications to a building or structure, such as roof reinforcement or structural supports for ground-mounted systems, a structural engineering stamp may be required to certify the structural design and ensure compliance with building codes.
Electrical Design: For grid-connected solar PV systems, an electrical engineering stamp may be required to certify the electrical design, including wiring diagrams, equipment specifications, and safety considerations, to ensure compliance with electrical codes and regulations.
Professional Oversight: In some jurisdictions, solar installations may require professional oversight by a licensed engineer to ensure compliance with engineering standards and best practices, particularly for large-scale solar farms or complex projects.
Regulatory Requirements: Certain regulatory agencies or local building authorities may require PE stamps as part of the permitting process to verify the safety, integrity, and compliance of the solar installation with applicable codes and regulations.
Consult with local building authorities, engineering professionals, and regulatory agencies to determine whether a PE stamp is required for your specific solar permitting needs and to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
Engineering Wet Stamps: Critical For Some Solar & EVC Projects
If engineering stamps are needed for a project, they must be provided to obtain project permits and prevent delays. Because most solar energy, battery storage, and EV professionals don’t typically have these capabilities in-house, partnering with an engineering firm that offers electrical, structural, and civil engineering seals, reviews, and letters is critical.
GreenLancer has a network of certified engineers with expertise in every AHJ in the country and beyond. Sign up for free today to find your next solar or EV charging engineering partner and simplify your design and engineering process.