Solar energy is becoming an important part of our energy future, and the City of Fayetteville is committed to helping our residents with their solar energy needs. Through a combination of utility rebates and new technology, solar electricity continues to become more affordable.

The City of Fayetteville adopted our Energy Action Plan in 2017, which calls for 100% community-wide clean energy by 2050. In a major move to achieve the goals of the Plan, the City of Fayetteville recently completed installation of a 10kW solar array farm with 24 Mwh of on-site energy storage at the Westside Water Treatment Facility. This system is designed to generate 100% of the treatment system’s energy needs. This project increased the use of clean energy by City facilities from 16% to 72%, bringing us closer to our goal of 100% by 2030.

As a part of our commitment to encouraging the development of small scale solar energy projects in our community, we have also designed a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Permitting Checklist to make submitting for permits easier for our customers.

• Most projects will only need a Building Permit and an Electrical Permit. Accessory use installations are allowed "by right” in all zoning districts.
• Only ground-mounted principal use (no other structures on the chosen parcel of land) installations will require additional Development Review.
• Electrical Permit Applications require a licensed master electrician; Building Permit Applications may be submitted by the owner of the property or a contractor. A general contractor’s license is not required if the project value is less than $50,000.
• Permit application submittals must include:
  1. Site diagram showing relative location of major components
  2. Standard electrical diagram
  3. Specification sheets for major components and mounting system
• The City of Fayetteville has committed to performing required reviews of rooftop installations within three (3) business days; small installations may be approved at the permitting desk. Large and complex installations may require up to ten (10) days for a complete review.
• Two (2) inspections by Building Safety staff are required prior to interconnection with the Utility (AEP/SWEPCO or Ozarks Electrical Co-op): Building Final and Electrical Final. Both inspections can be performed during a single visit by Building Safety staff. Click here for inspection requirements.
• Inspection requests will be honored on the next business day. Click here to schedule your inspection or call 479.575.8238.
• Interconnection times can be greatly reduced if COF inspections coincide with Utility inspection.
• Click here to see where solar projects have been permitted/installed in the City of Fayetteville.
• For more information about other City of Fayetteville projects and programs visit the Sustainability Department.

SolSmart City - Gold Designation

SolSmart is led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. To be considered for SolSmart designation, communities must meet the overall program prerequisites and points requirements. As a SolSmart designee, Fayetteville is helping solar companies greatly reduce the cost of installations and pass those savings on to consumers. This allows even more local homes and businesses to obtain affordable, clean, and reliable electricity through solar.

SolSmart Application Summary (PDF)