Part of the money (US$12.5 million) will go to a challenge whereby cities and counties will compete to streamline and digitize permitting processes. Another slice of the funding ($15 million) will go to advance innovations in information technology systems, local zoning and building codes and regulations.
“These investments under the SunShot program can help to transform the solar energy industry by addressing significant challenges to solar energy deployment, including permitting and installation,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Innovations in IT and local business processes, such as online permit applications, can deliver significant savings for solar energy systems and will help America to compete globally in this growing market.”
The overall aim is to decrease bureaucracy related to solar panels, costs related to “non-hardware balance of systemâ€, which includes all the “soft costs†generated by siting, permitting and installation. The Department of Energy estimates that such costs can account for up to 40% of the total cost of a solar system.
A more agile system would make it easier for solar power investors to navigate the administrative processes of their local jurisdictions. The hope is that the initiative will standardize all the paperwork, reduce costs and make it easier for homeowners, businesses and local communities to deploy solar energy.
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