INSTALLERS’ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What’s the first step installers should take if they want to install solar electric systems in Pasadena? Installers must first register with Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) and get access to the program’s online application. You may do so by calling the solar AnswerLine at (626) 744-6970 or sending and email to wpd_Answerline@cityofpasadena.net 2. What is PowerClerk and how do I use it? PowerClerk is a web-based application and tracking system. PowerClerk allows installers to create new applications (or edit existing ones), enter customer’s information and specific information about the PV system (location, equipment array orientation, shading angles, etc), and calculate expected incentive rebate. 3. How is the incentive calculated under the Pasadena Solar Initiative? Pasadena uses online application software that automatically calculates incentive rebate amount based on specific information entered for the proposed PV system including the type of solar panels and inverters and the panels’ orientation, tilt, and shading. 4. I already use PowerClerk to enter applications with other electric utilities. Do I need a new User ID and password to enter information in Pasadena? No. After Pasadena Water and Power provide your company access to their solar program, you can use your existing User ID and Password to enter applications in Pasadena. 5. What information do I need to provide PWP to obtain access to the Pasadena Solar Initiative (PSI) online application? Send an email to wpd_Answerline@cityofpasadena.net stating name of your company, name, phone number, and email address of the person who will be responsible for entering information into PowerClerk. 6. Is there any charge for getting access to PowerClerk? No. There is no charge but there is limit of one (1) representative per company. 7. How do I comply with shading requirements under Pasadena Solar Initiative? You will need to enter shading angles into PowerClerk and provide a Shading Analysis Report per every PV array in the installation. Page | 1
Shading angles are usually obtained by using a SolarPathfinder™ or equivalent technology. You will need one analysis per PV array, and you should take the measurement photograph from the center of the proposed array. For PowerClerk, you will need the angle report from East (-90°) through South (0°) to West (90°). If you are using SolarPathfinder Assistant, you must select “Angle estimator diagram” on the “Point Association” page under the “Template diagram on report” dropdown to get the angle readings. It should look like this: Not this:
When done correctly, your report will contain a table like this:
From this table you would enter the PowerClerk shading angles as: East (-90)=11, (-60)=9, -30=1, South (0)=2, (30)=19, (60)=2, and West (90)=12 (the other angles are not used by the PowerClerk application). Also note, if you are using SolarPathfinder Assistant 3.0 or later, you will need to select the option to “Show Azimuth/Altitude Data” by selecting Options from the Tools menu:
Page | 2
For the Shading Analysis Report, the report must show both the tracing photo and the analysis so that the accuracy of the tracing can be verified. 8. How are the shading angles entered into PowerClerk? On the “Project Components” page, you can specify the PV panels being used. When you are specifying the panels you will also have the opportunity to enter the shading angles. From the previous example, it should look like this:
9.
What documents must be provided to PWP to apply for a solar installation? When the online application is complete, print out the form and both the installer and customer must sign it. In addition to the signed application form, you must also provide the following materials when you submit the application: Shading Analysis Report, a copy of your signed contract, two (2) copies of the site plan, and a single-line electrical drawing for the proposed installation.
Page | 3
When the application is complete, mail it to: Pasadena Water and Power Attention: Pasadena Solar Initiative 150 S. Los Robles Ave. Suite 200 Pasadena, CA 91101 10. What information do I need to include with the single-line electrical drawing require by PWP? PWP has created a Generic Single-Line Electrical Drawing that requires specific information for solar systems smaller than 10 kW. Print a copy of the generic single-line electrical drawing on a 11x17 sheet of paper and complete all information requested. All information in the blank spaces must be provided for engineering review before installation is approved and funds are reserved. 11. My printer doesn’t support 11x17 paper and the drawing is too small for me to fill in the blanks. Where can I get a copy of the single-line electrical drawing? If you have trouble printing the drawing, please call the Answerline at 626-7446970 and we’ll mail you a copy. 12. The solar system I’m planning to install is different that the Generic singleline electrical drawing provided by PWP. Can I provide a separate drawing? Yes. If proposed solar installation is different than the Generic PV System Electric Diagram or it has additional equipment such as batteries, please provide your own single line diagram. 13. How long will it take to get the submitted application approved by Pasadena Water & Power? Typically, a complete application will be processed within ten (10) business days. If your application is not complete, we will return the application to you. When the application is complete and approved, you will receive a PWP Approval and Reservation Letter that you may take to the Permit Center which is located at 175 N Garfield Av., Pasadena. The Permit Center’s hours are: M-Th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Fr, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please note, the Permit Center will not issue a permit for a PV installation without the Approval and Reservation Letter from PWP. 14. Are separate AC disconnects and performance meters required in Pasadena? All PV systems must include a manual disconnect device that has a Visible Disconnect on the AC side of the PV system. The AC disconnect must be Page | 4
capable of being locked in the open position and directly accessible to PWP employees at all times. For systems equal to or smaller than 10 kW AC no performance meter is required. Inverters come with a built-in meter that can be used as a performance meter. 15. Once the job is complete, what must be done to get the installation inspected and approved? Approval of PV installations is a two-step process. First, the City building inspector must come out to the site and verify that the installation is up to code. The building inspector will verify that the PV system is operational, but will lock the system off after the inspection is complete. Second, after the Building Inspector has signed off on the installation, the following additional documentation must be provided to PWP: signed Incentive Payment Claim Form, copy of the signed-off building permit, two (2) copies of the signed Interconnection and Net Metering Agreement, a copy o f the Energy Efficiency Audit Report, and a copy of the itemized final sales invoice. 16. Is an Energy Efficiency Audit required in the PSI program? Yes. All solar PV installations are required to complete and energy audit of the facility where the solar system will be installed and submit the results to PWP before solar incentives are paid. Customers can schedule a free audit by calling the PWP AnswerLine at (626) 744-6970. 17. Once all of the paperwork is submitted, how long does PWP take to process the rebate and send the check to the customer? Rebate processing takes approximately 4 weeks from the time PWP receives all of the required materials. 18. Can the rebate be assigned directly to the installer? Yes. The customer may assign the rebate payment to the installer by completing the Payment Assignment form, available from PWP.
Page | 5