By Jeff Gahris
Ask your local permitting officials this question: What if a permit to install solar panels on your home could be processed in one day, not 30? It would be a boost for the solar industry and be convenient for you, wouldn’t it?
It turns out
the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), in conjunction with Underwriter
Laboratories and other parties, have developed an app that would allow for
fast, efficient, and effective permit reviews. SolarAPP+ should reduce cost,
speed up solar installations, and provide for effective inspections by
permitting authorities for enhanced safety. The plus sign, in case you are
wondering, refers to the ability to add features to the app as time goes on.
The River
Prairie Group and the DuPage Clean Energy Coalition recently sponsored a
SolarAPP+ presentation by Anson Moran of the Illinois Solar Energy Association.
The entire presentation is available on River Prairie Group’s YouTube channel.
According to
NREL’s Solar APP webpage at https://solarapp.nrel.gov/,
“The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has launched a collaborative effort with key code officials, authorities having jurisdiction, and the solar industry to develop standardized plan review software that can run compliance checks and process building permit approvals for eligible rooftop solar systems.
- Integrates with existing government software
- Automated plan review, permit approval, and project tracking
- Standardizes up to 90% of standard system plans
- Inspection checklist verification and final sign-off after installation”
These are good reasons for each of us to contact our local
permitting officials to streamline local permitting processes.
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