Solar Permit Document Checklist Generator

About This Tool

Build a Complete Solar Permit Package Every Time

Incomplete permit applications are the number one cause of solar project delays. This free solar permit checklist generator creates a customized document list based on your specific project — system type, inverter technology, battery storage, and state location — so you never miss a required document again.

Every checklist item includes a description of what the document must contain and direct links to SurgePV’s free calculators that help you generate compliant electrical calculations, wire sizing, voltage drop analysis, and conduit fill documentation.

37 Document Categories

Covers every permit document category from universal requirements to battery storage, commercial PE stamps, and state-specific filings.

Dynamic Filtering

Only shows documents relevant to your project. String inverter? Microinverter? Battery? Commercial? The checklist adapts automatically.

Print & Export

Print your checklist to PDF or copy as plain text for Asana, Monday.com, Notion, or Google Docs. Track progress with checkboxes.

When to Use

Who Should Use This Permit Checklist Generator

Solar installers assembling permit packages before submission. Designers preparing documentation for AHJ plan review. Sales professionals scoping project timelines and permit requirements. Business owners managing project workflows from design to PTO.

Solar Installers

Use before submitting every permit package to ensure no required document is missing. Eliminate back-and-forth with inspectors and avoid resubmission delays.

Solar Designers

Reference the checklist while preparing the permit package to confirm all engineering documents, calculations, and diagrams are complete and code-compliant.

Project Managers

Track permit document completion across multiple projects. Export the checklist to Asana, Monday.com, or Google Docs to assign tasks to team members.

How to Use

5 Steps to Generate Your Solar Permit Checklist

Select System Type

Choose Residential or Commercial. Commercial projects include additional PE-stamped drawing requirements, arc flash analysis, and commissioning reports.

Choose Inverter Type

Select String Inverter, Microinverters, or Power Optimizers. Each technology has different permit documentation requirements for string sizing, SLD format, and rapid shutdown compliance.

Set Battery & Project Details

Indicate whether the project includes battery storage, enter the system size in kW, select your state, and note if the property is in an HOA.

Generate Your Checklist

Click “Generate Permit Checklist” to create a customized document list organized by category — universal, electrical, structural, fire safety, battery, utility, and situational.

Track or Export

Check off completed documents as you assemble your permit package. Copy the checklist to your project management tool or clipboard for easy reference.

Methodology

How This Checklist Generator Works

This tool uses a rule-based logic engine that evaluates your project inputs against a database of 37 permit document categories. The checklist dynamically includes or excludes documents based on these conditions:

Universal documents (1-6)    → Always included for all projects
Electrical calculations (7-9) → Always included (wire sizing, voltage drop, conduit fill)
String sizing (#10)           → Only for string inverter and power optimizer systems
PE stamp (#14)               → Commercial OR system > 10 kW OR state in [NJ, NY, MA, HI]
Battery documents (18-22)    → Only when battery storage is selected
Commercial documents (26-31) → Only for commercial system type
Load flow study (#29)        → Commercial AND system ≥ 100 kW
HOA approval (#32)           → Only when HOA is selected

State-specific notes are sourced from each state’s permitting guidelines, utility interconnection standards, and solar access laws. The tool is updated as codes and state requirements evolve.

Reference

NEC Articles & Standards That Govern Solar Permits

Solar permit reviewers check compliance against these specific NEC articles and industry standards. Knowing the governing codes helps you prepare compliant documentation.

Code / Standard	Scope	Key Requirements
NEC Article 690	Photovoltaic Systems	System sizing, wiring methods, grounding, disconnects, rapid shutdown (690.12), labeling (690.53, 690.54, 690.56)
NEC Article 705	Interconnected Power	Supply-side and load-side interconnection requirements, bus bar rating calculations, backfeed breaker sizing
NEC Article 706	Energy Storage Systems	Battery wiring, disconnects, overcurrent protection, and signage for stationary ESS installations
NEC Article 480	Stationary Batteries	Battery room ventilation, rack spacing, and conductor sizing for battery circuits
NEC Article 250	Grounding & Bonding	Equipment grounding conductors, grounding electrode systems, and bonding requirements for PV arrays
NEC Article 240	Overcurrent Protection	OCPD sizing for PV source circuits, output circuits, and feeder circuits
NFPA 855	Energy Storage Systems	Fire safety, spacing, ventilation, signage, and emergency procedures for stationary battery installations
IFC Section 1204	Fire Access Pathways	Roof access pathways, ridge setbacks, eave setbacks, and firefighter access requirements
IEEE 1547-2018	Interconnection Standard	Inverter grid-support functions, voltage/frequency ride-through, and anti-islanding requirements
UL 1741	Inverter Safety	Inverter certification for grid-interactive operation, including SA (Supplement A) for advanced grid functions
UL 9540 / 9540A	ESS Safety	Battery system safety certification and thermal runaway fire testing requirements

Pro Tips

Common Reasons Solar Permits Get Rejected

Avoid these frequent mistakes that cause AHJs to send permit applications back for corrections, adding weeks to your project timeline.

Missing Electrical Calculations

Wire sizing, voltage drop, and conduit fill calculations must be included and show NEC compliance. Use SurgePV’s free calculators to generate these instantly.

Incorrect Fire Setbacks

Fire setback and access pathway diagrams must comply with IFC Section 1204. Common errors include wrong ridge setback distances and missing access pathways.

SLD Errors

Single-line diagrams must show every component, wire size, disconnect, OCPD, and grounding detail. Missing NEC labels (690.53, 690.54, 690.56) are a top rejection cause.

Missing Equipment Cut Sheets

Every piece of major equipment needs a manufacturer spec sheet: modules, inverters, racking, disconnects, and combiner boxes. Outdated cut sheets for discontinued models are rejected.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard solar permit package includes a permit application, site plan, electrical single-line diagram (SLD), equipment cut sheets, wire sizing and voltage drop calculations, structural load analysis, fire setback diagram, rapid shutdown compliance documentation, NEC labeling plan, and utility interconnection application. Commercial projects require additional PE-stamped drawings, arc flash analysis, and commissioning reports.

String inverter systems require string sizing calculations, OCPD sizing, and separate rapid shutdown equipment documentation. Microinverter systems (Enphase IQ, APsystems) have simplified single-line diagrams and inherent rapid shutdown compliance, so string sizing is not required. Power optimizer systems (SolarEdge, Tigo) require string sizing, unique SLD formats, and optimizer cut sheets.

PE (Professional Engineer) stamps are required for all commercial solar installations, residential systems over 10 kW in many jurisdictions, and in states like New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii regardless of system size. Check with your local AHJ for specific PE stamp requirements.

A solar single-line diagram (SLD) is a schematic showing the complete electrical path from PV modules through inverters to the main service panel and utility meter. It must include module specifications, string configurations, wire sizes, overcurrent protection devices, disconnect locations, grounding details, and rapid shutdown compliance per NEC 690.

NEC 690.12 requires that PV systems on buildings have a rapid shutdown function that reduces conductor voltage to 80V or less within 30 seconds. Documentation includes a rapid shutdown labeling plan showing label locations, equipment specifications proving compliance, and a note on the SLD indicating the rapid shutdown method used.

A solar permit (or electrical permit) specifically covers the photovoltaic installation, including electrical work, equipment mounting, and code compliance. A building permit covers structural modifications to the building itself. Some jurisdictions combine them into one permit, while others require separate applications for each.

Residential solar permits typically take 1–4 weeks for plan review, depending on the jurisdiction. Jurisdictions using SolarAPP+ can issue permits instantly. Commercial solar permits usually take 4–12 weeks due to additional engineering review requirements. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays.

Yes. Utility interconnection is a separate process from the building/solar permit. You must submit an interconnection application to your utility company, which includes system specifications, inverter settings documentation per IEEE 1547-2018, and a net metering agreement. The utility review process runs in parallel with permit review.

Battery storage systems require a separate battery single-line diagram, battery equipment cut sheets, NFPA 855 compliance documentation for energy storage safety, a battery location and ventilation plan showing required clearances, and a critical load panel detail identifying which circuits are backed up during outages.

The most common solar permit rejections are caused by: incomplete or missing electrical calculations (wire sizing, voltage drop, conduit fill), incorrect or missing fire setback diagrams, SLD errors or missing NEC labels, structural calculations not matching the actual roof type, missing equipment cut sheets, and not addressing local AHJ-specific requirements.