Solar Installation Permits
Overview:
Thinking about installing solar on your rooftop or elsewhere on your property?
Nixa Utilities is here to assist. We’ve put together a checklist for customers considering private solar energy to help you understand private solar energy options, and decide whether solar ownership may be right for you.
To complete a permit application for solar, you will need to first review our solar guidelines information and complete a net metering form.
Nixa Solar GuidelinesReady to Apply for Your Solar Permit?
If you’re ready to apply for a permit to add solar panels to any residential or commercial property, visit myNixa to begin your application.
Things to consider before beginning your solar installation project:
General Considerations
Know the Net Metering Policy: Missouri’s “Net Metering and Easy Connection Act”, passed in 2007, requires Nixa Electric, and all Missouri electric utilities, to allow customers who also generate electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, etc.), to connect to their distribution system. Contact us if you will remain connected to the grid for some of your electricity during any part of the day, an interconnection agreement with Nixa Electric is required for safety and reliability purposes. Contact us at 417-725-5850 before you buy or install solar panels to ensure your new system meets these requirements.
Talk with Nixa Electric about any cost assumptions you’re using. Understand the costs, savings, and payback. Know the projected payback costs before committing to your project. Look at your electric bill and calculate how much you are likely to save by producing your own solar electricity vs. the cost of the solar installation and how long your payback might be. We can assist you in this process by providing your historical monthly usage so you can predict the savings over time.
Leasing vs. Buying: Be sure you fully understand the costs and risks of buying vs. leasing. For example, you may not be able to transfer leased rooftop solar panels when you sell your home, especially if the new owner doesn’t want them.
Efficiency First: Before installing solar panels on your roof, consider making your home as energy-efficient as possible. The more energy-efficient your home, the less solar you might want to install.
Cost Considerations
- What assumptions regarding utility costs were used when determining life‐cycle benefits of the installation?
- What assumptions regarding terms of net metering were used in determining life‐cycle benefits of the installation?
- What rate will be credited (through net metering) by the local utility for excess electricity generated to the grid?
- What federal or state financial incentives/subsidies are available to help with the cost of a system?
Selecting a dealer/installer considerations
- Select a reputable, professional contractor with experience installing solar PV systems.
- It’s a good idea to get more than one bid for a project.
- How many years of experience does the company have installing solar PV systems?
- Has the company installed electric grid‐connected PV systems? If not, has it installed electric grid‐independent (stand‐alone) PV systems?
- Is the company properly licensed?
- Does the company have any pending or active judgments or liens against it?
Leasing Considerations
- What is the installed cost comparison between leasing vs. owning?
- Can you buy the system before the end of the lease term?
- Who owns the system at the end of the lease?
- Who owns any renewable energy credits associated with the system?
- Who pays to remove it and repair the roof at the end of the lease?
- Who pays taxes on it, including any increase in property taxes?
- If you decide to sell your property, what happens to the lease and installation?
- If there are damages to the system or a catastrophic loss, who pays for repair?
Other Considerations (Warranty, Insurance, Maintenance, etc.)
- Is your home or business a good place for a solar PV system?
- Does the site provide clear, unobstructed access to the sun’s rays for most of the day allyear around?
- Is the site free from tree shading, nearby buildings or other obstructions?
- Does your roof contain a large enough area for the system?
- Who is responsible for obtaining permits and authorizations?
- Who is responsible for post‐installation roof inspection and repair?
- Who is responsible should there be any structural damage caused by the installation?
- Who is responsible for any ceiling damage caused by the installation?
- Who is responsible should there be any injuries to the crew or public during installation?
- Are there any homeowner’s association covenants or restrictions regarding installing a rooftop solar system?
- Who is responsible for removal and reinstallation of the system when your roof needs to be replaced or repaired?
- What are the terms of the warranty of the system?
- What is the process to make repairs under the warranty? Does the homeowner coordinate repairs or the installer/dealer?
- What are the consequences if there is a warranty issue and the installer goes out of business?
- What are the consequences if there is a hardware warranty issue and the hardware manufacturer goes out of business?
- Who is responsible for the lien disclosure, if any?
- What are the insurance requirements to have a system on your home?
- Who is responsible for fulfilling applicable electric codes for existing/new wiring?
- What is the process if the installer or inspector needs access to your home?
- Who is responsible for ensuring the installation meets any applicable fire department policies?
- Who is responsible for ongoing maintenance and what are the maintenance standards?
- Who controls the customer data derived from the installation?
