Information for residential solar electric contractors

The following information will help you better serve your residential customers with their solar electric project. The major steps that you need to take to qualify your customers for a solar electric incentive are outlined below.

Step 1 - Review program requirements

Before starting the application process, please review the program requirements to ensure that your customer's home meets the criteria for a solar electric system. You may also want to review the Residential Solar Electric Process Checklist and the application checklist.

Step 2 - Technical interconnection requirements

It is important to understand and comply with SRP's interconnection requirements to ensure the solar electric system is safely interconnected with the electrical grid. The technical resources below will help you understand SRP's requirements.

• Electric Service Specifications
  • Section 1 for general configuration (page 1-26)
  • Section 9 for metering (pages 9-28, 9-29, 9-30)
  • Section 11 for labeling (pages 11-79, 11-80)
• Generator guidelines
• Rules and regulations
• Sample site plan diagram
• Sample three-line electrical diagram
• Approved equipment list:
  • Modules
  • Inverters

Step 3 - Application submittal

Contractors must submit a complete application package to SRP on behalf of their customer prior to system installation in order to secure an incentive reservation from SRP and to ensure the system configuration is approved by SRP. The application package must include:

• Completed Residential Solar Electric Incentive Application, including all necessary signatures
• For non-incentive projects, complete a Residential Solar Electric Non-Incentive Application.
• Residential Solar Electric Agreement and Bill of Sale for Environmental Attributes and Environmental Attribute Reporting Rights (for customer-owned systems)
• A site plan diagram that includes:
  1. Customer name;
  2. Installation address;
  3. System size (kW-DC);
  4. Arrangement of the major equipment, including the electrical service entrance section and SRP meter;
  5. Location of generator and interface equipment;
  6. The location of the disconnect switch; and
  7. For system expansions, the drawings must show the existing system, as well as the expansion.
• A three-line electrical diagram that includes:
  1. Customer name;
  2. Installation address;
  3. System size (kW-DC);
  4. All neutral and ground conductors and connections;
  5. Module manufacturer and model number; and
  6. Inverter manufacturer and model number.
• A quote from the listed dealer or installer that includes:
  1. Customer name;
  2. Installation address;
  3. Module manufacturer, model number and quantity;
  4. Inverter manufacturer, model number and quantity; and
  5. Cost.
• A copy of the warranty information as outlined in the program requirements.
• For customers who are purchasing a system, a completed Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (Form W-9) for the SRP customer of record.
• A copy of the signed lease agreement, which contains all information as outlined in the program requirements (if applicable).
• A copy of the customer's most recent SRP electric bill (optional).

Application packages can be submitted to SRP in several ways:

• Email SolarPV@srpnet.com
• Fax to (602) 629-7978
• Mail to:
  • SRP EarthWise™ Residential Solar Electric Program
    PAB 355
    P.O. Box 52025
    Phoenix, AZ 85072

SRP will review the application package for completeness. If additional information is needed, SRP will notify the applicant prior to reserving the incentive. If everything is in order, SRP will reserve the incentive within seven to ten business days following receipt of the application. An email will be sent notifying the applicant and contractor that the incentive has been reserved.

If changes to any portion of the application package are made after the incentive is reserved, the customer or their contractor must submit a Residential Solar Electric Application Addendum, along with copies of all applicable documents described above that must be revised as a result of the changes. Please note that the application may move back in the process depending on the changes, resulting in a lengthier application processing time.

Step 4 - Design review

After the incentive has been reserved, the project will be assigned to an SRP design consultant who is responsible for reviewing the drawings and performing a pre-construction site visit to ensure the proposed installation will comply with SRP interconnection guidelines. At the time of the pre-construction meeting, the design consultant will let the contractor know if they have approval to proceed with installation or if additional changes are required.

Step 5 - Installation

Upon receiving approval to proceed from SRP and obtaining all applicable building permits as required by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), the contractor can then install the equipment according to the specifications approved by SRP and the AHJ.

Step 6 - AHJ inspection

After installation, the contractor will need to request an inspection from the AHJ. The AHJ is responsible for submitting their system clearance to SRP. SRP will not accept clearance notification from any entity other than the AHJ.

If the applicable AHJ does not require building permits or inspections, the contractor must submit an SRP Certificate In-Lieu of Electrical Clearance for Solar Projects (CILC) to SRP. The customer must sign the CILC and the installer's signature must be notarized.

Step 7 - Complete necessary paperwork

The following documents must be submitted to SRP prior to commissioning:

• Distribution Interconnection Agreement for Inverter Based Generators (2 copies signed by SRP's customer of record)
• Residential Solar Electric Agreement and Bill of Sale for Environmental Attributes and Environmental Attribute Reporting Rights (1 signed copy by the lessor for leased system);
• Form W-9 (1 signed copy by the lessor for leased system).

Step 8 - SRP final inspection

Once the AHJ has submitted the city clearance or the contractor has submitted a CILC as outlined in Step 6, SRP will perform a final inspection of the system. The purpose of this final inspection is to ensure the actual installation matches the design provided in the application, which was approved by SRP under Step 4. A notification will be left at the site indicating if the system inspection passed or failed.

Step 9 - Commissioning

Once the system has passed final inspection and SRP has received and validated all of the necessary information described above, SRP will schedule the commissioning. The customer and contractor will be notified of the appointment via email. At the time of commissioning, SRP will set the necessary metering for the solar electric system and perform an interconnection test. Because the equipment must be operated at this time, either the customer's or contractor's presence is required since it is SRP's policy not to operate customer equipment.

Upon successfully passing the interconnection test, the system will then be allowed to operate. The customer's equipment should not operate at any time prior to the successful completion of the interconnection test.

Step 10 - Incentive payment

SRP will process the solar electric incentive payment after successful completion of the commissioning and verification of all paperwork. For customer-owned systems, the incentive check will be issued to the customer, unless they have assigned it to a third party. For leased systems, the incentive check will be issued directly to the lessor. Please allow six to eight weeks for processing of the payment.

Contact us

If you have questions about SRP's Residential Solar Electric Program, please contact a solar representative at (602) 236-4448.