Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, Energy Storage and Solar Permitting and Inspection Guidelines
Guideline / November 23, 2022 / Codes And Policy
In many parts of the United States, navigating building permits required for distributed energy resources such as solar, storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) can be a daunting process. Under a three-year project, funded by the Department of Energy, NBI has led the development of a series of guidelines to streamline the permitting and inspection processes for distributed energy resources to reduce carbon emissions, save people money, and help balance energy supply and demand on the grid.
These guidelines provide an overview of code requirements for the installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment and Energy Storage Systems (stand alone and paired with simple photovoltaic systems) in single family, multifamily, and office buildings. By providing specific and replicable lists of permitting and inspection requirements, local jurisdictions can streamline the permitting and inspection process by reducing informational barriers while helping ensure the design and installation of these distributed energy resources are consistent, code compliant, and safe.
In 2023, NBI will pilot these guides in several jurisdictions across the country to refine their content.
We’d appreciate any feedback on these guidelines that you would be willing to provide.
Please find the appropriate feedback forms to submit below:
Single Family Guidelines
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Guidelines for Single Family Buildings
These guides provide an overview of code requirements for the installation of Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) installations and 120V or 240V outlets in single family buildings. The guides reference the 2020 NEC and 2017 NEC, download the respective versions below.
Download 2020 Version Download 2017 Version
Solar and Energy Storage System Guidelines for Single Family Buildings
These guides provide an overview of code requirements for the installation of energy storage systems (ESS), and combined solar and energy storage system installations in single family buildings. The guides reference the 2020 NEC, 2021 IRC and 2021 IFC as well as the 2017 NEC, 2018 IRC and 2018 IFC, download the respective versions below.
Download 2020 Version Download 2017 VersionMultifamily and Office Guidelines
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Guidelines for Multifamily and Office Buildings
These guides provide an overview of code requirements for the installation of Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) installations and 120V or 240V outlets in Multifamily and Office buildings. The guides reference the 2020 NEC, 2021 IBC and 2017 ICC A117.11 as well as the 2017 NEC 2018 IBC and 2017 ICC A117.11, download the respective versions below.
Solar and Energy Storage System Guidelines for Multifamily and Office Buildings
These guides provide an overview of code requirements for the installation of energy storage systems (ESS), and combined solar and energy storage system installations in multifamily and office buildings. The guides reference the 2020 NEC, 2021 IBC and 2021 IFC as well as the 2017 NEC, 2018 IBC and 2018 IFC, download the respective versions below.
Download 2020 Version Download 2017 VersionTraining Videos
The below video is an on-demand webinar that introduces the Solar and Energy Storage System Permitting & Inspection Guidelines.
If you would prefer to watch the training video in sections, you can view it in four parts below:
Part 1 – 5 minutes 6 seconds
Part 2 – 5 minutes 40 seconds
Part 3 – 4 minutes 53 seconds
Part 4 – 5 minutes 20 seconds
The below video is an on-demand webinar that introduces the EVSE Permitting & Inspection Guidelines.
If you would like to receive CEUs for these trainings, register for the EVSE permitting and inspection guide training or the ESS and Solar permitting and inspection guide training on IREC’s Clean Energy Resources and Training website.
For more information on this project, read our blog or contact Diana Burk at [email protected].
This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), under the Building Technology Office (BTO) Award Number EE0009457.