Solar Information
Clay County, Missouri is currently participating in SolSmart, a nation-wide, U.S. Department of Energy program that recognizes local governments for taking steps to be more solar friendly.
• Clay County SolSmart Commitment Letter
By using solar energy and energy-efficient technologies in your home and business, you will:
• Help the environment
• Reduce your consumption of fossil fuels
• Lower your monthly bills
• Save money in the long term
Is my home or commercial property right for a solar energy system?
A photovoltaic (PV) system needs unobstructed access to the sun for most or all of the day throughout the year. PV panels are relatively unaffected by changing weather and the modules are angled to catch the sun, not snow, so any snow that does collect melts quickly. Here are some important tips that will help you determine if your property is right for PV:
• PV systems are best installed on a southern exposed roof, however some east or west exposures may also be acceptable.
• PV systems are ideally mounted parallel with the roof at a 35 degree roof pitch with no shading between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Shading can include trees, chimneys, TV antennas, satellite dishes, dormers and gables.
• A PV system can be installed on any well-structured roof. If your roof is older and needs to be replaced in the near future, you may want to replace it at the same time your PV system is installed.
• The amount of roof space needed for a PV system is based on the output and type of system. Your roof size and orientation will determine how much PV you can install on your roof.
Getting Started
If you want to purchase a PV system, you are probably going to need a PV installer. You can check your local phone directory under Solar Energy Equipment or view prescreened contractors list on the NABCEP Certified Locator. It is always advisable to obtain several bids before making a selection.
Before you purchase a PV System:
• Shop around to compare prices before choosing a PV contractor. Compare system features, warranties and expected annual electrical output.
• Get two to three estimates from different contractors to compare pricing and PV systems.
• Ask each PV contractor for customer references. You can also check each contractor with your local Office of Consumer Affairs.
• Be sure your PV contractor provides you with a written contract that includes equipment pricing, installation costs, model numbers and warranty information. Make sure you know when to expect delivery and installation of your PV system.
• Understand your PV warranty and that you know who is responsible for honoring the warranty (the installer, dealer, builder or manufacturer).
• Verify that the PV system you receive matches the equipment listed on your contract.
• The PV contractor will assist you in obtaining all building permits and inspections. Your PV system must beinspected and approved by a licensed electrical inspector and utility before it can operate.
• If you live in a homeowners’ association, verify that you have all required approvals from the Architectural Review Committee as applicable. Your contractor can help you with this process.
• Ask your PV contractor to review maintenance and operation of your new system. Be sure the contractor reviews your PV manual with you prior to completion of the installation.
Resources (Missouri Jurisdictions)
• Solar Ready Construction Guidelines and Photovoltaic (PV) Solar System Application and Checklist
• Mid-America Regional Council of Governments (MARC) Solar Ready Map
• Evergy Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Evergy Solar Rebates Program (residential)
Still have questions?
Clay County, Missouri has designated a Solar Coordinator to answer your questions regarding installing a PV system on your property. Refer to 2011 Land Development Code for Clay County's regulations.
Please contact Carla Umland, Building Inspector, at 816-407-3388 or E-mail.
Interesting Facts about Solar Energy
• Sunlight travels to the earth at 186,282 miles per second in approximately eight minutes.
• The sun is the most renewable and inexhaustible source of energy known to our planet.
• In one hour, more of the sun’s energy falls on the earth than is used by the entire world population in one year.
• Developing countries with an abundance of sunlight and rapidly growing populations represent the fastest growing markets for solar energy.
• Every dollar spent on energy efficiency in the home saves money on your PV needs.
• After wind power, solar energy is one of the fastest growing renewable technologies in the world.
Solar Resources
Below are a number of different solar resources on the Web.
• American Solar Energy Society: www.ases.org
• Go Solar California: www.gosolarcalifornia.org
• Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association: http://moseia.com
• Missouri Department of Natural Resources: https://eiera.mo.gov/
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: www.nrel.gov
• Solar Energy Power Association: www.solarelectricpower.org
• Solar Living Institute: www.solarliving.org
• U.S. Department of Energy: https://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/renewable-energy/solar
Glossary of terms
• AHJ: Acronym that stands for Authority Having Jurisdiction. AHJ is often used to describe the designated department or agency that enforces certain laws or regulations. It is often used interchangeably with the term Enforcing Agency.
• BIPV: Acronym that stands for Building Integrated Photovoltaic, which is a form of photovoltaic solar energy technology that is integrated into the building envelope to become a part of the roof, skylight or façade.
• Contractor: A contractor licensed by the state of Missouri or Kansas performing work within the scope of their license.
• Dead Load: The weight of materials of construction incorporated into the building, including but not limited to walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, stairways, built-in partitions, finishes, cladding and other similarly incorporated architectural and structural items, and the weight of fixed-service equipment, such as cranes, plumbing stacks and risers, electrical feeders, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems and automatic sprinkler systems.
• Enforcement: A diligent effort to secure compliance, including review of plans and permit applications, response to complaints, citation of violations, and other legal process. Except as otherwise provided in this part, “enforcement” may, but need not, include inspections of existing buildings on which no complaint or permit application has been filed, and effort to secure compliance as to these existing buildings.
• Enforcing Agency: The designated department or agency that enforces certain laws or regulations, as
specified by statute or regulation. In regard to solar PV installations, this entity is can also be referred to as
the “permitting agency,” since it is often the entity that issues a permit to allow for solar installations to be
constructed.
• Comprehensive Plan: A document adopted by a city or county to create a long-term vision to guide the
jurisdictions future growth and land use. It includes a statement of development policies and implementing
actions to achieve its development objectives.
• Live Load: Loads produced by the use and occupancy of the building or other structure and not including construction or environmental loads such as wind load, snow load, rain load, earthquake load, flood load or dead load.
• Photovoltaic: A method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation (sunlight) generating
electrical power into direct current electricity using semiconductors.
• Qualified Person: One who has the required state license and has proper skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.
• Solar Photovoltaic System: The total components and subsystems that, in combination, convert solar energy into electric energy suitable for connection to utilization load.