Installing Solar Panels

 

Solar panels on house

The City of Ames is excited to offer resources for customers investing in renewable home solar systems! There are three City of Ames departments that will help you with four approvals for your solar energy system. Use the step-by-step instructions below or reach out to Energy Services Coordinator at 515-239-5177, who will help you through the process.

The City of Ames recommends that all permits and approvals be submitted and approved before the purchase of equipment. All of these applications may be submitted concurrently.

How Do I Install Solar Panels?

1. Assess your home's solar potential

  • Use Google's Project Sunroof to get predicted annual savings for your specific address

  • Assess your shade, roof orientation, and available space

2. Contact solar panel installers and compare quotes

Ames's most common installers: 

 One Source Solar - 515-289-1974 - Ankeny, IA

 CB Solar - 515-421-8776 - Des Moines, IA

 Energy Consultant's Group - 319-462-5600 - Anamosa, IA

 Eagle Point Solar - 563-582-4044 - Dubuque, IA

If you are a solar installer looking to get your name added to this list, please reach out to the Electric Services Department at 515-239-5177.

3. Explore financing options and take advantage of these incentives

  1. Federal tax credits
  2. State incentives
  3. City of Ames Photovoltaic (Solar) Installation Rebate

4. Submit paperwork to the appropriate city department - Talk to your contractor about this!

Electric Services Department

Interconnection Agreement(PDF, 203KB)

  • The solar vendor typically prepares the interconnection agreement submission, but the owner must sign/approve it. 
  • Requirements for supporting documents are specified in the agreement. Note that the one-line diagram developed for this agreement may also be used to satisfy the one-line requirements of the Electrical Permit.


Planning and Housing Department

Solar Energy System Zoning Permit (SESZP)(PDF, 73KB)

  • If the proposed solar installation is ground-mounted (not on a rooftop) or located in an historic district, read the relevant Zoning Standards(PDF, 214KB) and additional approvals that will be necessary.  You will find SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (SES) in Sec. 29.1309, starting on page 10. 
  • Requirements for supporting documents are specified in the permit application. Note that the site plan developed for this permit may be also used to satisfy the site plan requirements of the Interconnection Agreement (Electric Services) and Electrical Permit (Inspections), provided the location of the electrical components (meter, disconnect, panels, inverters) are also shown on the plan.

Inspections Department

Building Permit(PDF, 119KB) and Electrical Permit(XLSX, 75KB)

  • An electrician typically applies for the electrical permit, while the solar vendor/contractor typically applies for the building permit. Both must be licensed contractors registered with the State of Iowa Division of Labor and with the City of Ames Inspection Division.
  • Requirements for supporting documents are specified in the permit application.
  • The average turnaround time for complete and thorough applications for small rooftop solar PV permits is 3 business days.

 

5. Install your panels!

6. Schedule a time for the Final Commissioning Test and Net Meter Setup

Once the system is approved and after it has been installed, it will be inspected by the Inspections Department and commissioned in the presence of Electric Services. This is typically a simple demonstration of the anti-islanding capability of the system and requires the system vendor to be present to start the system and measure voltage and generated output. This final test may be coordinated to take place the same day and immediately following the final electrical inspection when 24 hour advance-notification is given to Electric Services (515-239-5174) and Inspections (515-239-5153).

The Net Meter is typically programmed the day of the commissioning test, or shortly thereafter.

Click here to see the electric rate applicable to customer-generated renewable energy(PDF, 570KB) in Section 28.109 of the Municipal Code.

7. Apply for a rebate!

  • Once installed, the rebate is $500 per kW (DC) of the installed system size*
    • *Capped at 50 percent of the total installation cost

 

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