Solar Permits & Incentives - New South Memphis, TN

Utilities and Infrastructure Tennessee 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

New South Memphis, Tennessee homeowners who plan rooftop or small-scale ground-mounted solar must follow city permitting, interconnection and inspection steps before energizing arrays. This guide explains the municipal permit workflow, utility interconnection rules, available incentives, practical action steps and enforcement points to help you plan a compliant installation.

Permit steps for homeowners

Typical steps include site assessment, submitting building and electrical permit applications, scheduling inspections, and completing utility interconnection paperwork with your utility. For City permit submission and plan review requirements contact the City permit office and check the official permit portal for application checklists and submittal formats.[1]

  • Prepare construction documents and electrical one-line diagram.
  • Submit building and electrical permit applications to the city.
  • Await plan review comments and address corrections.
  • Schedule inspections for mounting, wiring and final inspection.
  • Complete utility interconnection and net-metering paperwork with Memphis Light, Gas and Water before operation.[2]
Confirm interconnection approval before switching the system on.

Incentives and local programs

Incentives vary by utility and state program; Memphis homeowners should review MLGW interconnection policies and any local rebate pages for current offers. For federal tax credits consult IRS guidance; for local utility programs consult the utility directly.[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for unpermitted electrical or building work is handled under the municipal code and by the city's building/code enforcement division. Specific monetary penalties, daily fines, or fine ranges for installing without permits are not specified on the cited municipal permit pages and should be confirmed with the enforcement office or municipal code.[3]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: whether first offence, repeat or continuing offence amounts are applied is not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, correction orders, requirement to obtain permits and inspections, and potential court action.
  • Enforcer: City building/code enforcement division; file complaints or request inspections via the official city contact pages.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited permit pages and should be confirmed with the issuing department or municipal code.[3]

Applications & Forms

The city typically requires a building permit and an electrical permit for solar; interconnection or distributed generation application is required by the utility. Specific form names, form numbers, and fees are published on the city permit portal and the utility interconnection page; if a form number or fixed fee is not listed on the cited pages, it is not specified on the cited page.[1]

Keep copies of stamped plans and interconnection approval at the property until the project is complete.

Action steps for homeowners

  • Contact a licensed electrician or solar contractor familiar with local codes.
  • Obtain building and electrical permits and address plan review comments.
  • Apply for utility interconnection and wait for written approval before energizing.
  • Schedule required inspections and secure final sign-off.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to install solar on a single-family home?
Yes. Building and electrical permits are generally required for rooftop and ground-mounted systems; confirm specific submittal requirements with the city permit office.[1]
Can I connect to the grid before the final inspection?
No. Most utilities require city final inspection and written interconnection approval before allowing operation.[2]
Where do I find the municipal code requirements for electrical work?
Consult the city code and the adopted electrical and building codes as published by the official municipal code publisher.[3]

How-To

  1. Confirm site suitability and obtain contractor proposals including required documentation.
  2. Prepare and submit building and electrical permit applications with required plans and diagrams to the city.
  3. Respond to plan review comments and obtain approved permits.
  4. Complete installation and schedule inspections for mounting, wiring and final checks.
  5. Submit utility interconnection application and obtain written permission to operate before energizing.

Key Takeaways

  • Permits and plan review are required; start at the city permit portal.
  • Utility interconnection approval is mandatory before operation.
  • Contact city building/code enforcement or the utility for definitive forms, fees and timelines.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Memphis - Permits & Inspections
  2. [2] Memphis Light, Gas and Water - Distributed Generation / Interconnection
  3. [3] City of Memphis Code of Ordinances (Municode)

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data