Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

Miami-Dade County is committed to green building design and construction standards to safeguard our environment, enhance quality of life and promote sustainability in our communities.

Under current permitting processes, solar photovoltaic (PV) projects may be permitted by submitting your requirements through the Portal. This allows the plans and documentation to be routed electronically to multiple departments for review and approval concurrently, thus allowing for a faster permitting process after a complete application is received.

Additionally, projects utilizing solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy are eligible for Green Building Expedited review per Section 8-6 of Miami-Dade County Code. In order to request an expedited review, applicants should visit the Sustainable Buildings Program and complete the SBP New Project Form.

What do I need to obtain a solar PV system permit?

Applicants seeking a permit for a solar PV energy system are required to submit the following items at the time of permit application:

A completed Building Permit Application signed and notarized by the property owner and contractor.
A completed Electrical Fee sheet signed by the contractor with the Electrical Category 34- Solar Photovoltaic information completed.
Submission of electronic plans which contain all drawings and supporting documents in PDF file format based on the Document Submission Guidelines. Plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents submitted for review via the Portal in electronic format must be signed and sealed electronically. Your design professional will need to provide you with an electronic version of your plans that are digitally signed and sealed. For more information, check Digitally Signing and Sealing Documents.

Applicants who submit plans in paper format will be assessed a conversion fee based on the current fee schedule. These fees must be paid in addition to required fees prior to the documents being sent for plan review. Additionally, conversion may add extra time to the review process. For more information, visit How to Apply for Permit.

Need solar system assistance?

You must create an account and register through the online registration system (MeetQ) to meet with staff. Consults can be scheduled in-person, by phone, or virtually on the specified days and times listed on the MeetQ homepage. For further assistance, call 786-315-2100.

You may save time and money by obtaining a permit using one of the Department’s prescribed roofing details for solar panel permits:

As a condition for obtaining this permit, you must agree to abide by the pre-approved flashing detail provided. When applying, complete the Electrical Fee Sheet (gold form) with the Miami-Dade County Solar Mounted System fee code (G137), include the pre-approved Miami-Dade County flashing detail, structural plans, and other supporting documents. Projects using this method benefit from a reduced permit fee.

- Affidavit For Reinstallation of Existing Roof-Mounted Solar Systems at a Later Date: This form is required for reinstallation of an existing solar system
- PV Electrical Inspectors Checklist: The Solar Systems PV Electrical Inspectors Checklist provides an overview of the electrical information required
- Rooftop PV Building/Structural Requirements Checklist: The Solar Systems Permit Rooftop PV Building/Structural Requirements Checklist provides an overview of the building, roofing and PV equipment information required for permitting submittals
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permitting and Plan Submittal Requirements Presentation: This presentation discusses the Electrical and Structural requirements on plans to obtain permits for solar PV systems
- Solar System Permit Owner Disclosure: The property owner's signature in the Property Owner's Solar System Disclosure Form indicates that the information in this form has been explained to the property owner by the contractor
Building / Equipment / Roof Design
- Provide a roof plan diagram showing all dimensions and the total area of the roof
- Show roof edges, walls, parapet walls, change of elevations, expansion joints, roof top equipment, etc. on the roof plan diagram
- Show the location on the roof where the solar system is to be installed. Include the size of the solar system and total area of the proposed system installed on the roof
- Provide the wind uplift zone (per ASCE-7) of the roof, the solar system is to be installed & the wind uplift pressure for that zone
- Provide the Perimeter Width (per ASCE-7) of the roof and /or roof section, the solar system is to be installed
- Provide the type of structural roof deck type on the building, the solar system is to be installed
- Specify condition of the roof assembly:
  1. New roof (tied to a new construction master permit) Separate roof permit required
  2. Re-roof (replacing existing roof assembly) Separate roof permit required
  3. Existing roof (no change to roof assembly) Fire Rating of the existing roof assembly shall be maintained
- Specify the type of roof on the structure and the roofing material used for the roof assembly
- Submit roof clearance requirements for the proposed solar system
- Submit a detail of required roof penetration flashings
- Provide a Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) photovoltaic system certification approval form for the proposed solar system NOTE: Photovoltaic Laminate Modules require a separate roofing permit for the installation of this product
- Provide completed copy of owner's solar system disclosure form
Structural Design
- Provide a roof framing plan showing decking and framing members; indicate type, size, orientation, spacing and dimensions. Include mean roof height dimension
- Show on the roof plan edges, ridges, valleys, walls above the roof, parapet wall, change of elevations, expansion joints, roof top equipment, etc.
- Represent solar arrays on the roofs where the PV system is to be installed (also represent rails). Provide layout dimensions for installation, as well as distances from edges, ridges, walls, and valleys. Include clear vertical distances to roof surface
- Locate and represent points of attachment of PV system to framing or metal seams. Indicate lag screws embedment into roof framing
- Indicate on plans manufacturer and type of solar panels
- Indicate on plans manufacturer and type of rails and standoffs selected for installation.
- Indicate wind pressures on solar panels, also represent the wind uplift zones and their widths per ASCE 7-16 as follows:
  1. For flat roof: As per figure 29.4-7 or applicable Component & Cladding figure from chapter 30 for flat roofs (depending on the procedure used to calculate the wind pressure on solar panels)
  2. For hipped roofs and gable roofs with slope greater than 7°: As per Component & Cladding figures from chapter 30
- Specify condition of the roof assembly:
  1. New roof (tied to a new construction master permit) – Separate roof permit required
  2. Re-roof (replacing existing roof assembly) – Separate roof permit required
  3. Existing roof (no change to roof assembly) – Fire Rating of the existing roof assembly shall be maintained for the penetrations
- Specify the roofing system and material used for the roof assembly (tiles, shingles, metal panels, etc.)
- Submit a detail of required roof penetration flashings
Required Manufacturer Documentation and additional information
- Provide manufacturer documentation (Installation Manual) with information proving that the proposed solar panels are rated for wind pressures equal or higher than pressures they will have to withstand once installed.
- Photovoltaic panels and modules mounted on top of a roof shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1703, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, FBC 1510.7.4
- Provide documentation and/or signed and sealed verification demonstrating that the proposed supports (rails and standoff) for the solar arrays meet both uplift and lateral forces
- Provide documentation and/or signed and sealed verification the structure will accommodate loads (gravity and wind) due to PV system installation
- Verify minimum array distances from edges and ridges per ASCE 7-16 sections 29.4.3 or 29.4.4
- Provide signed and sealed wind load calculations as well as design of attachments to the roof for the acting wind loads
- Apply array edge factor ϒE = 1.5 to panels that are exposed and those within a distance 1.5 x Lp from the end of a row at the exposed edge of the array Analysis to determine array factor shall be done considering wind blowing in 4 orthogonal directions perpendicular to panel edge
- Effective area to determine the pressure equalization factor (ϒa) on ASCE 7-16 figure 29.4-8 shall be the area of the proposed solar panel
- Provide completed copy of owner’s solar system disclosure form
Guidelines to permit the re-installation of Solar Panels on an existing roof due to re-roofing
- The existing previously approved PV panels are acceptable as long as they are re-installed at the same location
- Previously approved PV permit plans shall be provided for reference. Plans shall have Miami-Dade Approval Stamp
- A new roof plan shall be provided showing the following:
  1. Location of the PV panels with dimensions of the panels, dimension to roof edges and in between the panels
  2. Show parapet walls, change in elevations, roof shape, and RTU
  3. Indicate the type of roof deck and roof framing, material, spacing, size
- Re-roofing with the same system: All mounting railings, supports and attachments can be re-used as long as they are in good condition
- Re-roofing with a different system: Railings can be reused if they are in good condition. New attachment and railing support shall be totally detailed and specified to suit the new roofing system
- Calculations are required for the connections of new supports with building components, they shall satisfy the wind loads as per current FBC and ASCE7
- In cases where PV components are connected solely to the roofing system, e.g., connections to standing seam metal roof or similar, a signed and sealed letter from roof metal panel manufacturer or attachment device manufacturer shall be required. The letter shall contain the following:
  1. A statement indicating that the values are based on lab test results
  2. It shall indicate the maximum uplift concentrated force that the roofing system can resist at the point of connection
  3. It shall indicate if maximum load is ultimate or allowable. Allowable values shall be based on a margin of safety of 2:1 as per, FBC 2020 sect. 1523.4
  4. It shall describe the tested substrate and roof panel type and thickness
  5. It shall indicate spacing of connections to the substrate (clips, fasteners, etc.)
Electrical Design
- Submit a complete Electrical Diagram: Designed in accordance with the NEC Article 690 Solar Photovoltaic Systems, in its entirety
- Submit a floor plan showing location of all electrical equipment
- Submit load calculations: NEC 110.3(B) Installation and Use Listed or Labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling
- Electrical Engineer must sign and seal plans if:
  1. The system has a value of more than $50,000
  2. The system has an aggregate service of capacity of 600 amps (240 volts) or more for a residential electrical system
  3. The system has an aggregate service of capacity of 800 amps (240 volts) or more for a commercial or industrial electrical system
Solar Water Heaters System Components
- Solar water heater: Submit FSEC approval/listing and system reference drawing
- Solar water heater using a PV powered pump: Provide electrical listing for PV panel and pump
- Solar swimming pool water heater: Provide manufacturer's selected system installation manual /detail and system specifications
- Solar swimming pool water heater: Provide FSEC approval/listing and system reference drawing
- Show water heater storage tank location on the floor plan
- Show water heater storage tank relief line termination point
- Show piping layout from solar collector to storage tank