The SolarAPP+ Prize awards $15,000 to local governments to adopt SolarAPP+, an online permitting platform for code-compliant PV systems.
Donor Name: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Prize
Deadline: 11/05/2022
Size of the Grant: $15,000
Details:
Today, solar energy accounts for about 3% of U.S. electricity, which means that to combat climate change, the nation’s solar capacity would likely need to grow by hundreds of gigawatts in the next 15 years—with hundreds, thousands, and even millions of solar projects nationwide requiring building permits.
But counties, cities, and incorporated towns and villages in the United States are drowning in paperwork associated with approving residential PV systems. As a result, solar permitting can be a major bottleneck for residential solar installations, slowing the adoption of solar energy. The challenge is to convert building-permit applications for residential solar systems to approved systems by the local jurisdiction that has authority for that process.
SolarAPP+ is a tool that can automate the solar permitting review process, free up community staff time, and deliver instant permits for code-compliant PV systems. While SolarAPP+ is free for communities to adopt, there are associated costs that arise during the implementation process.
Funding Information
Communities that are selected for the SolarAPP+ Prize—and implement SolarAPP+ by the specified deadline—will be able to receive $15,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- This prize is open to all governmental entities or AHJs that have authority over residential rooftop solar photovoltaic permitting. Examples include counties, cities, and any incorporated towns or villages in the United States.
- The SolarAPP+ Prize submission can be provided by any division of an AHJ, such as:
- Building, planning, or zoning department Office of Community Development
- Office of Economic Development
- Inspections
- Permitting
- Plan Check
- Sustainability
- Other.
For more information, visit SolarApp+.