SolarAPP+ Automated Solar Permitting

Before applying for an automated plan review and solar permit, projects must meet certain criteria. At this time, SolarAPP+ is designed to provide a code-compliance check for the majority of residential, roof-mounted, retrofit photovoltaic systems. To see which systems are eligible, please refer to the Eligibility Checklist. Only projects that conform to this list are eligible to use the automated SolarAPP+ portal for instant permitting.  If your project complies with the Eligibility Checklist use the following steps to issue the permit. 

1. Register through the SolarAPP+ Webpage.
2. If the project is within the Mountain House Community Services District (MHCSD) obtain a signed copy of the Solar Permit Application from MHCSD for upload during the permitting process in SolarAPP+ portal.
3. Submit your project through the SolarApp+ portal. 
4. Pay the processing fee and permit fee through the SolarAPP+ portal.
5. Download and print the Permit and Inspection Checklist. These must be on the jobsite at the time of inspection.
6. Allow 1 to 2 business days for processing prior to scheduling an inspection.
7. Schedule an Inspection:

• Inspection requests can be made by using the Permit Manager function here.  When using this scheduling option it is necessary to use the site address not the SolarApp+ permit number. 
• Inspection requests may also be scheduled by calling (209) 468-3165 (24-hour recorder).
• When calling for an inspection, you must have the following information available:
• Permit number
• Name or onsite contact
• Jobsite address
• Nearest cross street
• Telephone number
• Type of inspection
• Inspection requests received before 3:00 p.m. will be made on the next business day; requests received after 3:00 p.m. will be done the day following. Please call in all cancellations by 9:00 a.m.

8. The Permit and Inspection Checklist must be on the jobsite at the time of inspection.

SolarApp+ tutorials 

• What is SolarAPP+?
• How do I register with SolarAPP+?
• How do I make changes to approved SolarAPP+ plans?
• How do I submit a project through SolarAPP+?
• Where is SolarAPP+ available?
• How much does SolarAPP+ cost an installer to use?
• Is there a limit on system size SolarAPP+ can review?

What is SolarAPP+?

SolarAPP+, short for Solar Automated Permit Processing, is an online web portal that automates the plan review and process for issuing permits to qualified businesses or individuals to install code-compliant residential photovoltaic (PV) systems. Based on model building, electrical, and fire codes, SolarAPP automatically performs a compliance check based on inputs supplied by the contractor to ensure the proposed system is safe and code compliant. Installation practices, workmanship, and adherence to the approved design are then verified by the AHJ through the inspection process.

How do I register with SolarAPP+?

You may register for a new SolarAPP+ account at https://solarapp.nrel.gov/register. First provide basic contact information such as the name and address of your company. Then create a password that meets the security requirements  (8 or more characters, 1 or more upper- and lower-case characters,1 or more numbers, 1 or more special characters and does not contain the user's email or name). Additionally, you must select 'Installer' in the Account Type field. Our system will verify whether your provided address is valid. Please ensure that you read and accept the SolarAPP+ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy prior to registering for an account. 

After you submit the registration form, you should see a pop-up screen that confirms your account registration. Before proceeding to submit project applications, you must provide the SolarAPP team your contractor license information, including numbers and expiration dates, for the each jurisdiction in you which you operate.

We will review the eligibility information and verify your contractor license in our system to complete the registration process. Once verified, you will be able to submit project applications in SolarAPP+ for addresses in enabled jurisdictions. Contact us if you have difficulty registering for an account. 

How do I make changes to approved plans?

After issuance, projects can be revised as many times as the contractor wishes prior to installation. After revisions are complete and the project is submitted, SolarAPP+ will then run another compliance check. If your updated system design is code compliant, the system will reissue your updated permit and alert the AHJ with a revised Approval Document and Inspection Checklist. The first three revisions are free of charge, while each subsequent revision would charge the installer the $25 project fee. If a revision requires payment of an additional fee, the revised permit is not issued until the fee is paid.

How do I submit a project through SolarAPP+?

 Before you can submit a project through SolarAPP+, you must first register and take the How to Use SolarAPP+ For Rooftop Solar Projects training, developed by IREC, which will show you how to submit a project through SolarAPP+. Once completing this training module, you will receive a certificate documenting your successful completion of the training, which you can then send to NREL, and your account will be enabled to submit projects in any jurisdictions where you are licensed. The training should take about an hour, and only needs to be completed once.

If the project you want to submit also included energy storage systems (such as batteries), you must register and take the How to Use SolarAPP+ For Solar and Storage Projects. This will walk you though the process of submitting solar + storage projects in SolarApp+, as well as help you identify which systems and projects can be approved through the platform.

Where is SolarAPP+ available?

See this article for information on where SolarAPP+ is currently being used.

How much does SolarAPP+ cost an installer to use?

Installers will pay a small administration fee to use SolarAPP+. In turn, contractors will receive instant permits online for compliant applications, saving installers a significant amount of time and effort on every permit processed. Administrative fees will be used to cover ongoing maintenance, customer support, technical assistance, and software development as the product moves to self-sustained commercialization and away from direct support from the Department of Energy (DOE).

Is there a limit on system size SolarAPP+ can review?

SolarAPP+ is for rooftop residential solar systems. While SolarAPP+ does not specify a limit for the system's total rated wattage capacity, there are technical limits on the power rating of service panel equipment, and these are enforced by SolarAPP+. Projects may be permitted to install up to 400A main service, 225A service disconnect switches and 225A busbars. If any project components exceed the above specification thresholds, the project will be designated as ineligible by the SolarAPP+ platform. See the Eligibility Checklist for more information.