Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/communitysolar/Pages/default.aspx.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

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

Helpdesk phone:

360-664-1222

Subject matter expert contact information:

UTC Licensing Services, 360-664-1222

transportation@utc.wa.gov

Community Solar Company Registration

(Community Solar)
Description/Purpose

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.

Triggers and activities which would require this compliance record

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

Explanation/Description of costs/fees, including statutory, regulatory, or other legal authority for fees

Community solar companies must pay the following fees: Initial registration: $450 Renewal Registration: $350 Amended Registration: 150 Reference WAC 480-103-010

Application Information

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.

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.

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

Please submit application forms via the UTC Records Center Web Portal at: https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/communitysolar/Pages/default.aspx

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

The commission will not deny an application without a hearing.

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.

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

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


(Summary results based on 1 submittals in 2020, no data for latest year [2024])

Legal authority
Contacts
Utilities and Transportation Commission, Licensing Services
621 Woodland Square Loop SE
PO Box 47250, Olympia WA 98504-7250
Lacey WA 98503
Email: transportation@utc.wa.gov
Website: http://www.utc.wa.gov
Telephone: (360) 664-1222
* Credential details last updated 5/28/2025
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