Generate a customized solar permit checklist for any residential or commercial installation. Know exactly which documents your AHJ requires — before you submit.
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.
Covers every permit document category from universal requirements to battery storage, commercial PE stamps, and state-specific filings.
Only shows documents relevant to your project. String inverter? Microinverter? Battery? Commercial? The checklist adapts automatically.
Print your checklist to PDF or copy as plain text for Asana, Monday.com, Notion, or Google Docs. Track progress with checkboxes.
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.
Use before submitting every permit package to ensure no required document is missing. Eliminate back-and-forth with inspectors and avoid resubmission delays.
Reference the checklist while preparing the permit package to confirm all engineering documents, calculations, and diagrams are complete and code-compliant.
Track permit document completion across multiple projects. Export the checklist to Asana, Monday.com, or Google Docs to assign tasks to team members.
Choose Residential or Commercial. Commercial projects include additional PE-stamped drawing requirements, arc flash analysis, and commissioning reports.
Select String Inverter, Microinverters, or Power Optimizers. Each technology has different permit documentation requirements for string sizing, SLD format, and rapid shutdown compliance.
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.
Click “Generate Permit Checklist” to create a customized document list organized by category — universal, electrical, structural, fire safety, battery, utility, and situational.
Check off completed documents as you assemble your permit package. Copy the checklist to your project management tool or clipboard for easy reference.
Your generated checklist is organized into document categories that match how AHJs review solar permit applications. Here is what each section covers:
Required for every solar installation: permit application, site plan, single-line diagram, equipment cut sheets, homeowner authorization, and contractor license.
NEC-compliant calculations that inspectors verify: wire sizing, voltage drop, conduit fill, string sizing (if applicable), and service entrance load calculation.
Roof load analysis, racking attachment details, and PE structural letters for commercial or larger residential systems.
IFC fire setback pathways, NEC 690.12 rapid shutdown compliance, and complete NEC labeling plans for all required labels.
Battery SLD, equipment specs, NFPA 855 compliance, ventilation plans, and critical load panel details — only shown when battery is selected.
Interconnection application, net metering enrollment, and IEEE 1547-2018 inverter settings documentation required by your utility.
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.
Worked example: A standard California residential solar permit (CEC-compliant, system <10 kW). Required documents: (1) Site plan showing panel layout, roof dimensions, setbacks — typically 2 pages. (2) Electrical single-line diagram per NEC 690. (3) Structural attachment details (rail type, rafter spacing, point loads). (4) Equipment spec sheets for panels, inverter, disconnects. (5) Title 24 compliance form. (6) Utility interconnection application (Rule 21 or equivalent). Average permit approval: 2–4 weeks. 87% of California AHJs offer expedited review for sub-10 kW systems.
Calculations sourced from SurgePV’s Permit Document Checklist Generator — surgepv.com/tools/permit-document-checklist-generator/
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 |
Avoid these frequent mistakes that cause AHJs to send permit applications back for corrections, adding weeks to your project timeline.
Wire sizing, voltage drop, and conduit fill calculations must be included and show NEC compliance. Use SurgePV’s free calculators to generate these instantly.
Fire setback and access pathway diagrams must comply with IFC Section 1204. Common errors include wrong ridge setback distances and missing access pathways.
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.
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.
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.
Use these companion tools to generate the electrical calculations required in your solar permit documents.
Size AC breakers and conductors for solar inverter output.
Find the correct AWG gauge for solar AC and DC circuits.
Check NEC conduit fill compliance for solar wiring.
Verify busbar ratings for solar panel system interconnection.
Design optimal PV string configurations for any inverter.
Calculate the right solar system size based on energy usage.
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