Solar panel installations on Erie homes require permits under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa Code §§401.1-405.42), specifically a building permit for roof-mount structural review and an electrical permit for the photovoltaic system interconnection. The Pennsylvania Solar Easement Act (68 P.S. §§700.1-700.6) authorizes voluntary recorded easements protecting solar access, but Pennsylvania does not have a comprehensive solar rights act preempting HOA restrictions or municipal aesthetic rules. House Bill 1281 (the so-called PA Right to Solar Act, modeled on solar rights statutes in other states) was introduced in the 2023-24 PA General Assembly session but remains pending and has not been enacted as of mid-2024.
Solar PV permitting in Erie follows the standard PA UCC two-permit pattern. The building permit reviews structural loading of the existing roof under IRC Chapter 8 (roof-ceiling construction) and the 2018 IRC's residential snow and wind loads — Erie sits in one of Pennsylvania's heaviest lake-effect snow zones (typical ground snow load 50 psf or higher per ASCE 7 mapping for the city), so structural review for added panel weight plus snow is particularly important. Plan review may require a stamped letter from a PA-licensed structural engineer for older homes where rafter sizing or attachment cannot be verified from existing drawings. The electrical permit covers Article 690 of the National Electrical Code (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) as adopted by the PA UCC — disconnect requirements, rapid shutdown under NEC 690.12, conductor sizing, grounding, and labeling. Interconnection with the Penelec (FirstEnergy) grid that serves Erie follows the utility's net-metering tariff filed with the PA Public Utility Commission under 52 Pa Code §75.13. The PUC's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) regulations at 52 Pa Code Ch. 75 (implementing 73 P.S. §§1648.1-1648.8) require utilities to source a portion of generation from solar (Tier I AEPS) and provide Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) tradable in PA's market. The PA Solar Easement Act (68 P.S. §§700.1-700.6) lets property owners create recorded easements that protect solar access from shading by neighbors, but creation is voluntary. Erie is generally a permissive solar jurisdiction; expedited review may be available for small residential systems under PA UCC procedures, but local historic-district designation (e.g., West Sixth Street Historic District) may add architectural review.
Installing a solar PV system without required permits violates 34 Pa Code §401.7 and triggers stop-work orders under PA UCC §403.65. Erie Code Enforcement may issue citations; civil penalties under 53 P.S. §10617.2 reach $500 per day if the installation also violates the Zoning Ordinance (e.g., excessive height in a setback). Unpermitted electrical work may also expose the homeowner to insurance denial in case of fire. Penelec net-metering interconnection without utility approval may result in disconnection of the metered service.
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