Residential homeowners and solar panel installation contractors in the City of San Luis Obispo are now able to apply for permits online with the help of SolarAPP+, a web-based portal for residential solar energy system installations, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to automate project plan reviews, receive an automated permit, pay fees online, and schedule inspections.
SolarAPP+ will lower costs and expedite solar installations, encouraging property owners to invest in generating renewable and sustainable energy. Lowering the cost and increasing the speed of rooftop solar installation will have a significant impact on a system’s cost.
Despite similar wages and equipment costs, the installation of solar panels currently costs twice as much in the United States as in countries such as Australia or Germany. For a solar customer, these added expenses can amount to as much as $5,000 for a typical residential solar system. The discrepancy is partially brought on by setup expenses, such as interest on home equity loans, and other expenses incurred while waiting for applications to be approved.
Community Development’s plan to make solar more affordable will start with the implementation of SolarAPP+. Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Energy, SolarAPP+ provides a web-based portal that streamlines and automates permit reviews. The app easily integrates into existing local government permitting software and is free for local jurisdictions.
The number of SolarAPP+ adopters is projected to expand in the coming year following the California state budget, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 13, including $20 million for technical assistance targeted for local jurisdictions planning to adopt expedited permitting software such as SolarAPP+. Thanks to this plan, the City is receiving up to $40,000 to integrate the use of SolarAPP+ reviews with current permitting software. Building and Safety staff have been piloting the process with select contractors since August 5th, and after a successful trial period, the City is now encouraging all applicants with eligible projects to use the SolarAPP+ review process.
This new system is aligned with the City’s Climate Action goals and will help us get closer to achieving our bold commitment to community carbon neutrality by 2035.
For more information, visit Solar Information | City of San Luis Obispo, CA (slocity.org)
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