Solar Inspections

To ensure the safety of the system, all solar energy systems that are installed in Austin Energy service area must pass a final solar inspection before they can be turned on.  

Solar and Battery Permitting

The first step to installing solar systems in Austin Energy territory is to obtain an Auxiliary Power electrical permit from the City of Austin Development Services Department. For a guide to solar Auxiliary Power permits, please see the Austin Energy Solar Permitting Manual.

How to Request a Solar Inspection

Solar companies submit their requests for an inspection through Austin Build + Connect (AB + C). An email will be sent to the solar company and to the customer to confirm that Austin Energy has received the request. Separate emails will be sent when the inspection has been scheduled, passed, failed, and completed.

Pre-Installation Inspections

There are a few types of inspections that need to happen before the installation has been completed. You can request these inspections by selecting the applicable inspection type from Austin Build + Connect (AB + C) (including 100 Pre-construction meetings, 301 Rough inspections, and 304 Temporary Power inspections).

Pre-Construction Meeting

If you have questions about project design, request a Pre-Construction Meeting with an inspector. Please provide detail of your request in the Notes.

Rough Inspections

If any parts of the system (e.g., wiring) will be covered up before the installation is complete, request a Rough Inspection to have them reviewed first.

Pre-Wire Final Inspections

This type of inspection is required when you install wiring that will be used for a future solar installation. This usually applies to new building construction.

For all Distributed Generation projects, use Austin Build + Connect (AB + C) to make inspection requests.

Meter Variance Request

During the initial permit application process, and prior to installing any equipment, if you cannot place the meter(s) grouped according to the Austin Energy Design Criteria, you must request a meter variance using this form. Request should be submitted to aeadvancedmeteringengineering@austinenergy.com for approval and may be subject to additional permit fees. Requests are not always granted.

Temporary Shutdowns

If you need to temporarily disconnect service while installing solar, please contact Austin Energy Distribution Metering or call 512-505-7620.

Schedule inspection through Austin Build + Connect (AB + C) to reconnect service.

If your solar project includes service repair or upgrade, you must close the permit for that work before scheduling a final solar inspection.

Contact Us

• Email: Solar Inspections
• Phone: 512-482-5346