The City of Ames is excited to offer resources for customers investing in renewable home solar systems! There are three City of Ames departments that will help you with four approvals for your solar energy system. Use the step-by-step instructions below or reach out to Energy Services Coordinator Joel Zook at 515-239-5177, who will help you through the process. 

The City of Ames recommends that all permits and approvals be submitted and approved before the purchase of equipment. All of these applications may be submitted concurrently.

How Do I Get Solar?

1. Assess your home's solar potential
   • Check your roof orientation, shade, and available space
   • Plug your address into Google's Project Sunroof to find how annual savings you could have
2. Contact Solar installers
   • Ames's most common installers since 2010 are:
     • One Source Solar - 515-289-1974 - Headquarters in Ankeny, IA
     • CB Solar - 515-421-8776 - Headquarters in Des Moines, IA
     • Energy Consultant's Group (ECG) - 319-462-5600 - Headquarters in Anamosa, IA
     • Purelight Power - 515-461-6446 - Branch in Urbandale, IA
     • Blue Sky Smart Soluctions - 888-677-2992 - Branch in West Des Moines
   • Compare quotes and get different opinions
3. Explore Financing Options:
   • There is a variety of options here\
   • Take advantage of incentives:
     • Federal tax credits
     • State incentives
     • City of Ames Photovoltaic (Solar) Installation Rebate
4. Install your panels!
5. Submit paperwork to the appropriate city department - Talk to your contractor about this!
   1. The Electric Services Department - Interconnection Agreement
      • The solar vendor typically prepares the interconnection agreement submission, but the owner must sign/approve it. 
      • Requirements for supporting documents are specified in the agreement. Note that the one-line diagram developed for this agreement may also be used to satisfy the one-line requirements of the Electrical Permit.
   2. The Planning and Housing Department - Solar Energy System Zoning Permit (SESZP)
      • If the proposed solar installation is ground-mounted (not on a rooftop) or located in an historic district, click here to read the relevant Zoning Standards and additional approvals that will be necessary.  You will find SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (SES) in Sec. 29.1309, starting on page 10. 
      • Requirements for supporting documents are specified in the permit application. Note that the site plan developed for this permit may be also used to satisfy the site plan requirements of the Interconnection Agreement (Electric Services) and Electrical Permit (Inspections), provided the location of the electrical components (meter, disconnect, panels, inverters) are also shown on the plan.
   3. The Inspections Department - Building Permit and Electrical Permit
      • An electrician typically applies for the electrical permit, while the solar vendor/contractor typically applies for the building permit. Both must be licensed contractors registered with the State of Iowa Division of Labor and with the City of Ames Inspection Division.
      • Requirements for supporting documents are specified in the permit application.
   4. The Electric Services Department - Rebate
      • After your system has been installed, you should apply for a rebate, which is $100 per kW (dc) of the installed system size!

If you are having trouble submitting the correct forms to the correct departments, feel free to send them to Joel at Electric Administration, and he will get them sent to where they need to go. His email is joel.zook@cityofames.org, or his mailing address is below.

Joel Zook - Energy Services Coordinator
502 Carroll Ave
Ames, IA 50010

Final commissioning test and Net Meter Setup

 Once the system is approved and after it has been installed, it will be inspected by the Inspections Department and commissioned in the presence of Electric Services. This is typically a simple demonstration of the anti-islanding capability of the system and requires the system vendor to be present to start the system and measure voltage and generated output. This final test may be coordinated to take place the same day and immediately following the final electrical inspection when 24 hour advance-notification is given to Electric Services (515.239.5174) and Inspections (515.239.5153).

The Net Meter is typically programmed the day of the commissioning test, or shortly thereafter.

Click here to see the electric rate applicable to customer-generated renewable energy in Section 28.109 of the Municipal Code.