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 safely interconnect your customers' solar systems to SRP's electric grid are outlined below. SRP does not limit the size of a customer's solar system.

Step 1 - Review program requirements

To ensure that your customer's home meets the criteria for a solar electric system, before starting the application process, please see the following:

• Distributed Energy Resource Program Requirements
• Distributed Energy Resource Process Checklist

Current fee amount for re-inspections is under Step 8.

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 (section 1-26 through 1-32)
• Section 5 for clearances (section 5-14 through 5-16)
• Section 9 for metering (section 9-32 through 9-35)
• Section 11 for labeling (section 11-45 through 11-47)
• Generator guidelines
• Rules and regulations
• Sample site plan diagram
• Sample three-line electrical diagram
• Approved equipment list (gosolarcalifornia.org ):
• 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 ensure the system configuration is approved by SRP. The application package must include:

• Completed Distributed Energy Resource Application including all necessary signatures.
• Completed Distributed Energy Resource Expansion Application , including all necessary signatures when adding more solar equipment to location with existing solar system.
• A site plan diagram that includes:
  1. Customer name;
  2. Installation address;
  3. System size (kW-DC and kW-AC);
  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 and kW-AC);
  4. All neutral and ground conductors and connections;
  5. Module manufacturer and model number;
  6. Inverter manufacturer and model number; and
  7. For system expansions, the drawings must show the existing system, as well as the expansion.
• 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 executed lease agreement signed by the customer on the SRP account or property owner if a rental, 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 DER@srpnet.com
• Fax to (602) 629-7978
• Mail to:
  • SRP Residential and Commercial Solar
    ISB 197
    P.O. Box 52025
    Phoenix, AZ 85072-2025

SRP will review the application package for completeness. If additional information is needed, SRP will notify the applicant. If everything is in order, an email will be sent notifying the applicant and contractor that the project has been approved.

If changes to any portion of the application package are made after the approval, the customer or their contractor must submit a Distributed Energy Resource 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 project has been approved it 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. After the pre-construction meeting, the design consultant will email the contractor to let them know if they have approval to proceed with installation or if additional changes are required. NOTE: Design must be approved before SRP will accept city clearance or a certificate in lieu of clearance. If SRP must perform additional reviews, a fee will be assessed for each one (currently $203).

Step 5 - Installation

Upon receiving SRP design approval to proceed 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 Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Projects (CILC) to SRP. Both the customer and contractor must sign the CILC.

Step 7 - Complete necessary paperwork

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

• Distribution Interconnection Agreement for Inverter Based Generators (One copy must signed by SRP's customer of record, or homeowner if a rental)

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. At final inspection SRP will not charge any additional fees for the first two inspections.

NOTE: If SRP must perform additional inspections, a fee will be assessed for each one (currently $203). If you install the system before SRP has given design approval, this will count as your first inspection.

* If your PV meter is left in the PV socket at the time of inspection you will be assessed the $203, which must be paid before the site will be re-inspected.

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.

Contact us

If you have questions about SRP’s Distributed Energy Resource Program, please contact a representative at (602) 236-4448 or email DER@srpnet.com.