Information for commercial solar electric contractors
The following information will help you better serve your commercial 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 business meets the criteria for a solar electric system. You may also want to review the Commercial Solar Electric Process Checklist for customers.
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.
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:
- A completed Commercial Solar Electric Agreement and Bill of Sale for Environmental Attributes and Attribute Reporting Rights via PowerClerk
For access to PowerClerk, our online application tool, please send a request to a solar representative and include the following:
- Company name;
- Company address;
- Arizona ROC license number(s);
- Contact name for anyone completing reservation request form;
- Contact phone number; and
- Contact email.
- A copy of the executed purchase contract or solar service agreement that includes:
- Customer name;
- Installation address;
- Module manufacturer, model number, and quantity;
- Inverter manufacturer, model number, and quantity; and
- Cost.
- A copy of the warranty information as outlined in the program requirements.
- 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).
- Non-profit customers entering into a Solar Service Agreement with a third party solar vendor will need to submit the following two Agreements in accordance with our Distributed Solar Option (DSO):
- For one-time incentive applications:
- For PBI applications:
- If you make changes to any portion of the application at a later date, you must submit to SRP a completed Application Addendum form.
Application packages can be submitted to SRP in several ways:
- Email: SRPSolarBiz@srpnet.com
- Fax: (602) 629-7985
- Mail:
- SRP Commercial 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.
The following additional information must be received to SRP no later than 90 days from the date the incentive is reserved in order to complete the application process:
- A site plan diagram that shows:
- Customer name;
- Installation address;
- System size (watt-DC and watt-AC);
- Arrangement of the major equipment, including the electrical service entrance section and SRP billing meter;
- Location of generator and interface equipment; and
- The location of the disconnect switch.
- For system expansions, the drawings must show the existing system, as well as the expansion.
- A three-line electrical diagram that includes:
- Customer name;
- Installation address;
- System size (watt-DC and watt-AC);
- All neutral and ground conductors and connections;
- Module manufacturer and model number; and
- Inverter manufacturer and model number.
- If the generating facility is greater than one megawatt based on the sum of the nameplate inverter ratings, a remote disconnect schematic and connection diagram will also be required.
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, the contractor must obtain all applicable building permits as required by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Once all building permits are obtained, 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 - Final SRP 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.
For applications accepted as of May 1, 2012, an SRP standard fee will be charged for each additional inspection beyond the second inspection. The SRP standard fee is currently $203. The contractor shall not seek reimbursement from the customer for the cost of any re-inspection. This fee is subject to change on an annual fiscal year basis.
Step 8 - Complete and submit necessary paperwork
Upon successful completion of a final inspection, the following documents must be submitted to SRP prior to commissioning:
- Distribution Interconnection Agreement for Inverter Based Generators:
Step 9 - Commissioning
Once the system has passed final inspection and SRP has received and validated all 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 of the system. 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 successful completion of the commissioning, 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. At this time, the contractor must also submit to SRP an as-built diagram that includes:
- Shading obstructions, and
- Identification of each string and their assigned inverter.
Step 10 - Incentive payment
Upon receipt and verification of all required documentation, SRP will process the incentive check within 6-8 weeks.
- For customers receiving the one-time incentive, the final incentive will be prorated based on as-built conditions and will be issued to the customer, unless they have assigned it to a third party. In instances where the customer does not own the system, the incentive check will be issued directly to the system owner.
- For customers receiving the PBI incentive, customers will begin to receive the incentive in the form of a credit on their monthly bill. The PBI incentive cannot be assigned to any third party. Under the Distributed Solar Option where a solar service agreement is executed, the PBI incentive will be paid to the system owner.
Contact us
If you have questions about SRP's Commercial Solar Electric Program, please contact a solar representative at (602) 236-4663.