Building Development Division

Hiring a Contractor

• Hiring a Building Contractor
• The Completed Residential Solar Projects Annual Report provides an overview of the total Residential Solar Projects completed during the last two calendar years and the current calendar year by contractor.

 

Solar Energy Tax Exemption

The County offers Solar Energy Systems Tax Exemption for solar energy equipment, facilities or devices.
Note: All required documentation must be included at time of form submission.

There are three ways to submit the completed form for review:

• Email – [email protected]

• In-person – The Development Services Building

• Mail – 5 County Complex Ct., Suite 120, Prince William, VA 22192

Attention: BDD Permits

Online Training PDF

Please take a moment to view our recent presentation document on Residential Solar Energy Systems Online Training.
PDF LINK

Special Technical Requirements

To avoid delay please ensure that the proposed submittal includes all the following:

For Roof Mounted Systems please ensure:

• Access pathways are provided

• Two 36-inch pathways shall be provided on separate roof planes from the eave to the ridge.

• One 36-inch pathway shall be located on the street or driveway side of the roof.

• One 36-inch pathway shall be located on each roof plane with a photovoltaic array or an adjacent roof plane.

• Plans and calculations are submitted sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer for engineered designs including connections to standing seam metal roofs.

• An engineering report sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer or research report by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) is provided for the mounting system (rail or rail free).

• For additional requirements please see the Residential Solar Energy Systems Checklist and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

For Ground Mounted Systems please ensure:

• Plans and calculations are submitted sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer for engineered designs including ground mount frame systems and foundations.

• A research report by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) is provided for ground anchors and helical piers.

• For additional requirements please see the Residential Solar Energy Systems Checklist and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

The plan review for County Typical Solar Energy Systems Plan Submissions will be expedited (e.g., half the time of a normal plan submission). 

Residential SolarAPP+^TM

Prince William County accepts the use of SolarAPP+^TM by qualified Residential Solar Contractors.

Residential Solar Contractors Qualifications

The County must pre-approve contractors to use SolarAPP+^TM. To become a County Approved SolarAPP+^TM Residential Contractor, send an email to [email protected] and provide the following information:

1. Virginia Contactor License with the AES designation
2. Prince William County Business License
3. Project performance for the last seven (7) Residential Solar Projects completed in the County within the last two (2) years. The following are minimum performance requirements:

    

   Item	Average for the Last 7 Completed Projects
   Average Number of Plan Reviews to Approval	≤ 2.50
   Average Number of Building Inspections to Final Approval1	≤ 1.75
   Average Number of Electrical Inspections to Final Approval1	≤ 1.75

Once the County has confirmed the Residential Solar Contractor meets the minimum project performance requirements, the Construction Inspections Branch will conduct a mandatory meeting to review the SolarAPP+^TM Pre-Qualification Meeting Agenda with the Residential Solar Contractor’s decision-makers and local staff. Once completed, the County will notify the SolarAPP+^TM Team to add the Residential Solar Contractor to the County’s jurisdictional profile.

Misconduct and Sanctions

The County may rescind the approval for a Residential Solar Contractor to use SolarAPP+^TM for the following reasons:

1. Failure to maintain the required performance standards provided above.
   (¹Note: The County will perform regular performance audits.)
2. Failure to install a system per the SolarAPP+^TM approval, and the County requiring that the project be submitted for a full County Plan Review.
3. Failure to obtain the required permits before starting work.
4. Acts of negligence, gross negligence, misfeasance, or malfeasance with regard to any work performed by the Residential Solar Contractor.

 

Allowed Projects

Each Residential Solar Project must meet all the conditions of use provided in the County Residential SolarApp+ Worksheet.

Permit Application Process

The County Approved SolarAPP+^TM Residential Contractors will:

1. Submit and obtain approval for the project from SolarAPP+^TM
2. Please refer to the customer handout ePortal - SolarAPP+ Application Process for detailed instructions.
3. Submit the electronic Building Permit application through the ePortal.
   1. Select Permit Type Building and Work Class R-SolarAPP.
   2. Enter SolarAPP^TM number
   3. Upload in Attachments the following required documents:
      1. SolarAPP+^TM Approval Document
      2. SolarAPP+^TM Inspection Checklist
      3. Competed Residential SolarApp+ Worksheet
      4. Engineer Structural Letter including:
         1. Overall evaluation statement sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer certifying the existing roof truss framing has been evaluated and is adequate for the concentrated loads from the photovoltaic panel mounting system in accordance with code without structural alterations.
         2. Structural calculations sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer demonstrating the existing roof truss framing is adequate for the concentrated loads from the photovoltaic panel mounting system in accordance with code without structural alterations. The species of lumber for the existing roof truss framing shall be assumed to be Spruce Pine Fir SPF #1/#2 or Hem Fir #2 unless documentation such as a photo of the truss lumber species and grade mark stamps are provided.
         3. Detail(s) of blocking requirements for any hip roof truss framing.
      5. Submit the completed application, and ePortal will send an email notification that the Building Permit is issued.
4. Submit the electronic Electrical Permit application through the ePortal.
   1. Search for and open the Building Permit and verify that this is the correct Building Permit.
   2. Open the Sub-Record tab and apply for an Electrical Permit.
   3. The contact information will copy from the parent Building Permit. Add any additional contacts if needed.
   4. Complete the custom fields, including the Code Year and Code Book.
   5. Upload any Attachments.
   6. Submit the completed application, and ePortal will send an email notification that the Building Permit is issued.