SolarAPP+ Adoption Incentive Program

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

An incentive program for municipalities to adopt SolarAPP+, an innovative solar permitting platform that streamlines residential solar installation permitting.

Geographic Scope: National program; Texas communities selected include Tool, Texas and Waco, Texas (as of December 2022). Houston also participated in a pilot program.

What is SolarAPP+:

• Online platform that instantly issues permits for code-compliant residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) and battery systems
• Eliminates traditional permitting delays estimated to cost $7,000 per project
• Projects installed approximately two weeks faster under the program
• At no charge to municipalities
• Has already approved more than 10,000 permits across jurisdictions in Arizona, California, Illinois, and Texas

Eligibility:

• Local municipalities and government jurisdictions
• Communities selected through competitive application process

Requirements:

• Successful adoption of SolarAPP+ platform
• Integration into municipal permitting processes

Benefits:

• Accelerates solar energy adoption
• Removes barriers for residential solar and battery installations
• Streamlines processes for local governments, installers, and homeowners
• Supports clean power generation

Background: Part of NREL's broader initiative to streamline solar permitting nationwide. 12 communities nationwide were selected for Phase 1 of the program.

Contact Information:

• Texas Solar Energy Society
• P.O. Box 1447, Austin, TX 78767-1447
• Phone: 210.772.7720
• Email: info@txses.org
• Website: txses.org