Safe and affordable home solar through permitting automation

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

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Developed in collaboration with

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For Jurisdictions

Work more efficiently

Residential solar systems are common and consistent these days. This should make jurisdiction reviews easy, but the sheer volume of applications can also be overwhelming. SolarAPP+ helps make permitting department workload manageable by automatically checking system designs for saftey and code compliance.

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For Installers

Predictable permitting

Improve your customer’s experience and reduce costs with a fast and predictable permitting process. SolarAPP+ reduces install times, reduces project cancellations, and expands access to renewable energy.

Powerful and connected

How SolarAPP+ works

Permitting software specifically designed to help governments and installers with solar permitting and installation

Free for jurisdictions

Provides a no-hassle, web-based PV-permitting tool for residential systems at no-cost to AHJs
Always up to date

NREL will release updates as code revisions and new technology support emerge. No need for additional interpretation or IT solutions.
Efficient permitting

Increases the number of solar permits & permit revenue local governments can process without adding additional workload.
Simplify your process

Offer opportunities to spur consolidated local growth of residential solar and storage, creating resilience and economic development opportunities.

Offering our solar customers a way to self-permit expedites the process

Carla Blackwell, director of Pima County Development Services

If I could use SolarAPP+ to get through 150 PV plans a month, that would be a great relief for my staff.

Steve Jones, Assistant Building Official, City of Oceanside, CA

What we're working on