Community Solar Company Registration

(Community Solar)
What is the purpose of this registration?
Community solar companies are individuals, firms, or corporations -- other than established electric utilities or community solar cooperatives -- that own solar energy projects with maximum rated generating capacities of 1 MW within Washington state and that provide solar energy generated from those projects to paying customers. Customers may be involved in these projects through lease agreements, purchase power agreements, loans, or financial agreements other than direct ownership of a community solar project. The UTC's rules establish requirements for registration, consumer protection, records keeping, and reporting for community solar projects meeting these definitions.
Who issues this registration?
Utilities and Transportation Commission
What activities require this registration?
Any person, firm, or corporation --other than an electric utility or community solar cooperative -- that owns a solar energy system with a direct current nameplate generating capacity equal to or below one thousand kilowatts (MW) provided to a customer through a lease, power purchase agreement, loan or other financial agreement with the community solar company in order to obtain a beneficial interest in, other than direct ownership of, the solar energy system.

Reference RCW 80.28.370
How much will this registration cost?
Community solar companies must pay the following fees:
Initial registration: $450
Renewal Registration: $350
Amended Registration: 150

Reference WAC 480-103-010
Where can I get the application for this registration?
The application is called 'Community Solar Registration Application' is online and can be accessed at https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/communitysolar/Pages/default.aspx.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
The Community Solar Registration Application must include evidence of adequate financial resources.
Add a .pdf of one of the following:a current balance sheet, prospective profit & loss statement, latest annual report or evidence of escrow or trust account where the company will hold advances or deposits collected from customers, project participants or applicants.
Is the decision on my registration dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
The commission may deny registration to any community solar company that:
  1. Does not provide the information required by RCW 80-28-375
  2. Fails to provide a performance bond or other mechanism, if required
  3. Does not possess adequate financial resources to provide the proposed service
  4. Does not possess adequate technical competency to provide the proposed service
How long will it take to review my application?
The commission must take action to approve or issue notice of a hearing concerning any application for registration within 30 days after receiving the application. Currently, registration averages 19 days. The commission may approve an application with or without a hearing. The commission may deny an application after a hearing.
Where do I submit my application?
Please submit application forms via the UTC Records Center Web Portal at: https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/communitysolar/Pages/default.aspx
How long is my registration valid?
Registration is annual. In addition to the $350 registration renewal fee, each community solar company must pay to the commission a regulatory fee equal to one-tenth of one percent of the first fifty thousand dollars of gross intrastate operating revenue the company generated during the previous calendar year, plus two-tenths of one percent of any such gross intrastate operating revenue in excess of fifty thousand dollars. The minimum regulatory fee a community solar company must pay is twenty dollars.

reference WAC 480-103-010 and WAC 480-103-030
What is the appeal process for the registration?
The commission will not deny an application without a hearing.
Legal Authority:
Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 19
Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 19

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 19
Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 19

(Summary results based on 1 submittals in 2020, no data for current year)

Where can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL: https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/communitysolar/Pages/default.aspx
Helpdesk phone: 360-664-1222
Subject matter expert phone: UTC Licensing Services, 360-664-1222
Subject matter expert email: transportation@utc.wa.gov
Publications: WAC 480-103
RCW 80.28.370
RCW 80.28.375

Fact-sheets and consumer guides are available at https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/communitysolar/Pages/default.aspx
Statewide Contact:
Utilities and Transportation Commission
Licensing Services
621 Woodland Square Loop SE
PO Box 47250, Olympia WA 98504-7250
Lacey, WA 98503
Telephone: (360) 664-1222
Email: transportation@utc.wa.gov
Website: http://www.utc.wa.gov
* Permit information last updated 10/5/2021
[v2]