Poll: Do you file permits for your diy solar projects?

[42OhmsPA]

We had to change multiple switches to motion sensors....wouldn't want to waste electricity by leaving an LED light on for too long in a pantry in a house powered purely by solar

 

[Osmethne]

That's why I just got my family night vision goggles. That's where the smart money is.

 

[42OhmsPA]

That's why I just got my family night vision goggles. That's where the smart money is.

If you're serious, what setup did you go with?

 

[Osmethne]

If you're serious, what setup did you go with?

I'm joking but I think it would be good April fools material.

Since it's indoors and short range I think I'd be okay to go with the ir stuff. I think the cheapest night vision goggles might be the meta quest 3. Most of the night vision goggles on Amazon force some kind of magnification which makes them useless for using indoors.

 

[Lydo Andrade]

I think I will try in the future

 

[AdamsSolarProject]

This should be interesting..

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" lol

 

[patrickparrott]

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" lol

Outbuildings...NO Residence...YES

 

[Will Prowse]

Some of my neighbors work for the police department and other departments of the city, and the buildings that they've put up without permits are wild

As much as I like to question the government I sure do follow laws lol

 

[Crowz]

No permits required in Alabama as long as your doing your own work.

 

[lyrawinslow]

Hi everyone,
I’m new here but have good experience with solar. I installed a Lion Energy Safari ME Kit and I did get a permit.
In my opinion, it’s not just about rules — it’s about protecting your big investment. What if someday the government raises an issue? All that time, money, and hard work could be wasted.
Getting a permit is simple: contact your local office, submit your system plan, and get an inspection done.

 

[patrickparrott]

Hi everyone,
I’m new here but have good experience with solar. I installed a Lion Energy Safari ME Kit and I did get a permit.
In my opinion, it’s not just about rules — it’s about protecting your big investment. What if someday the government raises an issue? All that time, money, and hard work could be wasted.
Getting a permit is simple: contact your local office, submit your system plan, and get an inspection done.

I look at each case for a permit as being different from the others. The top priority for permits is usually safety. Not just for the permitted but also for those in and around the environment where the system is at. For some supervision is needed for others it is not.

 

[binaryhellstorm]

I didn't DIY my solar, so the company that did that pulled permits. But for my battery backup project, yes I'm having a licensed electrician install the critical loads panel, for that extra amount of ass coverage. If I add extra batteries then no obviously no permits, but the inverter and battery setup on the critical loads panel will be a permitted project.

 

[fuzzmunky415]

I look at each case for a permit as being different from the others. The top priority for permits is usually safety. Not just for the permitted but also for those in and around the environment where the system is at. For some supervision is needed for others it is not.

Reminder that just having rural/no immediate neighbors isn't a panacea:

F

Post in thread 'Poll: Do you file permits for your diy solar projects?'

Apr 8, 2025

What took this topic so long!?! /time for a novel

Pro permit/rule following, for the following reasons.

What will initially come off as a rant, is rather a sobering truth between 'Mericuh fukyeah' and the battle against oppressive nanny-state over-regulation. I am about as anti-authority as many, I do not exist at the pleasure of any higher authority than my relationship with myself, my fellow friends and neighbors, and various moral-based behaviours that foster progress for humanity at large, and do so with unalienable free will (death and taxes, right?)
I am leaving a state I have...

• fuzzmunky415

• 

Once fire going, in high winds, all bets are off.

Tubbs Fire - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Coffey Park

 

[empowered]

i'm doing 2 systems, the house is grid tied so i got a permit for that. my shop 50kw system will not be tied to the grid, they can suck my you know what as far as that goes. NUNYA

 

[Cmy]

County not city so only forms for utility interconnect.

 

[lyrawinslow]

I look at each case for a permit as being different from the others. The top priority for permits is usually safety. Not just for the permitted but also for those in and around the environment where the system is at. For some supervision is needed for others it is not.

Yes I agree with you.

 

[Banjohn]

Never file a permit.
That's the whole point of DIY solar projects.
If I want to file a permit, I would have hired an EPC to do it for me instead of spending time learn solar.

 

[y0bailey]

I'm permitted for my original grid tied install with net metering.

Batteries, hybrid inverter + AC coupling + additional ground mount panels are on the hush-hush.

I had to get my "rain garden" (I live in a watershed area) inspected by the city and almost shit a brick knowing they would be walking around on my property. Luckily some of my "permitted" panels are also ground mounted, so I doubt the rainwater guy is going to pull permits and decide which panels are new or old. Haven't had anyone knock on my door yet.

 

[Farmhouse180]

Don’t understand the question , what is this permit you speak of? Permit leads me to permission, I bought the property and paid my taxes, only permit(sion) required

 

[ManKzin]

Have to in Florida and it needs to withstand 150mph winds. All I want to to do is put up 2 panels on a ground mount and I need electrical engineer and structural engineer ti sign off on it.

And it’s a completely portable system 12V 3000W with two 535W bifacials. If a hurricane come I am just going to detach the panels and put them in my house. But is still need a permit. Come On Man !!!

 

[ManKzin]

If it is big, yes. And my POCO requires it for grid tie and net metering.

Should check on the grid tied. It just maybe perferred.

 

[Hedges]

Put the two panels on your vehicle.

 

[1234enough]

Never- fight the power

 

[scrubjaysnest]

We pulled permits for our metal carports, what a waste of money. Inspector came out, walked right by the solar panels without a word.
Talked with the fire department yesterday to verify the 911 address. Good there but he said the county is supposed to maintain the road.
Lots a luck with that.

 

[justgary]

I don't file for permits any more. Last was the late '80s.