Photo voltaic allowing could be a main bottleneck for residential photo voltaic installations, including weeks and, in some instances, months to adoption timelines. That’s why the Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory (NREL) labored with native governments, constructing code organizations, allowing software program suppliers, and business companions to develop a web based platform generally known as SolarAPP+.
SolarAPP+ eases the allowing course of and cuts purple tape—making it simpler for householders throughout the US to energy their houses from the solar—whereas saving time for native governments and installers.
To speed up the adoption of SolarAPP+, DOE just lately launched the SolarAPP+ Prize, which encourages native governments to affix the rising checklist of SolarAPP+ adoptees. To use for the prize, native governments should submit a questionnaire and letter of assist by November 4, 2022. Then, all they should do is undertake SolarAPP+ earlier than April 27, 2023. Each applicant that meets the deadline will obtain a money prize of $15,000.
Right here’s how everybody wins with SolarAPP+.
Native governments save time on paperwork
Since NREL developed the platform, SolarAPP+ has permitted over 10,000 tasks in counties, cities, and cities in the US. The native governments which have adopted SolarAPP+ have saved over 10,000 hours in plan evaluate time.
SolarAPP+ can automate the allowing course of for 70%–80% of submitted permits and save useful time and assets for native governments in search of to extend the photo voltaic capability of their communities.
Installers get tasks permitted sooner
At present, photo voltaic power accounts for about 3% of U.S. electrical energy. To handle local weather change, the nation’s photo voltaic capability will possible have to develop by lots of of gigawatts within the subsequent 15 years—meaning thousands and thousands of photo voltaic tasks requiring permits nationwide, lots of which will probably be on residential buildings. NREL estimates that conducting plan critiques on a person photo voltaic allow software takes between 15 and 60 minutes. Communities throughout the nation are already struggling to course of permits for the rising photo voltaic market.
SolarAPP+ immediately points permits for code-compliant residential rooftop photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) programs. The platform additionally standardizes processes in order that photo voltaic installers have the identical necessities throughout jurisdictions, enhancing predictability and effectivity. Installers can examine code compliance of designs earlier than submitting them for allow approval.
Customers save money and time on their photo voltaic programs
For householders trying to go photo voltaic, a streamlined allowing course of means sooner set up of their rooftop programs. Researchers discovered that SolarAPP+ shortens whole challenge timelines by practically two weeks.
Prices for shoppers can come down, too. Shorter challenge timelines imply shoppers can begin producing photo voltaic power and benefiting from decrease utility payments even sooner.
With SolarAPP+, native governments, installers, and shoppers all reap the advantages, serving to extra Individuals entry the cost-saving advantages of photo voltaic power and accelerating the clear power transition.
Native governments can apply for the SolarAPP+ Prize by November 4, 2022.
