Permits for solar panel installation. Am I screwed?

Comparing a septic system to solar panels is rather ridiculous. A septic system can be put pretty much anywhere and would be perfectly fine on a metes-and-bounds property. What do you think re-surveying the 10 acres would accomplish? Even if the plot where you want to put the solar panels is combined with the two other plots again, what would you do with the corners - cut them off? It's a piece of land, not a piece of paper that you can modify with scissors. If you don't understand the problem, consult a lawyer. It might be possible that all three plots together do not make for an irregular piece of land but, it is likely that no matter what you do, you are going to end up with a metes-and-bounds property, because you cannot change what you have. You should have checked into whether you could have them on your property BEFORE you bought them.

Time to speak with a real estate attorney, preferably a local one. You might need to get some fresh surveys...

Stop relying on the installation company for information from the county. Speak to them directly to find out what must be done to gain approval. Only they can answer this question properly.

Hey Rowdy, all your answers here have valid points. First off, when I installed our 1kw wind turbine and 75 foot tower 17 years ago, and the 1.4 kw solar array, I first had a conversation with our land use office, (they were the ones that issued those permits then). Permits don't come out of a vending machine, there are people that decide on them, but most people don't acknowledge their existince or even think they are real humans until a problem like this comes up. They have full plates on their table, and they never get to put a face to a property until there is a problem and neighbor 16 is down there screaming about what neighbor 12 did to their garage. You can still go down there and meet them, talk to them, ask for advice and so forth. It goes a long way, trust me.

Your panel company tried to get the permit, but couldn't you said. If that was part of the bargain, then yes, they failed. You might have grounds to a full refund, or if you are making payments, you can simply stop, and then they can simply come and foreclose on their panels and sell them to someone else, but talk to them first before pulling that trigger.

If the root problem is the survey, you might run into this problem again if you want to widen the driveway, add a pool, build a fence, or even just sell the house 15 years from now. Don't ignore it and try to go around it, get it fixed now. Call a survey company and tell them your situation. We had our 20 acres surveyed years ago as part of our tower instillation. Towers are required to be placed such that they can fall in any direction and land entirely on your property, so the inspector had to know where the lines were. It wasn't that expensive, and now I know where all the lines are, which is great for fence building, shed construction, agricultural, or one day even selling the land.

If it were me, I'd first go down to the building department, or whatever office told you 'no' on the survey, and talk with them. See what their solutions might be. Even if you end up going your own way, that one conversation will pave the way for future problem solving. Again, trust me on this, I've been in contact with that same office for years now, and when I have a problem, the first thing they say now is, "Let's see how we can solve this..." not, "You can't do that here." Get to know your neighbors too, a phone call or email from them to the building office sometimes goes farther than you think. I also have to ask, what did you do to earn the name, "Rowdy Vic?" Is that what your neighbors, or the permit office might call you? Try to see things from their perspective, that's the first step in them seeing things from yours. Take care Vic, Rudydoo

The fact that your description is metes and bounds is irrelevant unless it describes the entire 10 acres and not your lot. Or the fact it has been subdivided may now required the land (all 10 ac) be platted. I would start with your county's department that is responsible for platting of subdivisions.

Ask them what you need to do to get the permit.

Then the solar company are the ones you go after if you purchased based on their sales pitch and it was them who needed to get the permit...so without that you can't have them, so you shouldn't be paying for something you don't have.

......... and I suggest you also go and speak to the building inspector who could also tell you what you directly need to do to get one where you live

You're paying for the panels? That is the real issue. That company did not delivery and install per the contract. How are they accepting payment?