1. SI2 released model policy to encourage automated rooftop solar permitting software
2. The software helps lower costs for governments, homeowners, and solar businesses
3. The model policy also includes provisions to prevent restrictions on residential solar systems and limit permitting charges.
The Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) has released a model policy that promotes the use of automated rooftop solar permitting software. With over 5 million solar installations in the U.S., the model policy aims to streamline and standardize the permitting process for residential rooftop solar projects to help lower costs for governments, homeowners, and solar businesses.
David Gahl, the executive director of SI2, emphasizes the importance of increasing the efficiency of rooftop solar permitting as a cost-effective way for states to meet their clean energy goals. As the industry continues to grow, local governments will need to efficiently handle higher volumes of permit applications, and the model policy provides a template for doing so.
The high cost of rooftop solar permitting in the U.S. has hindered the growth of residential solar compared to other countries. Through partnerships with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and other organizations, SolarAPP+ has been developed as free software for local governments to use in streamlining the permitting process, resulting in significant time savings for staff.
In addition to promoting automated rooftop solar permitting software, the model policy also includes provisions to prevent unreasonable restrictions on residential solar systems, limit the cost of solar permits, and allow for variances from permitting ordinances. This model policy is the latest in a series of initiatives from SI2 aimed at advancing clean energy policies.