The California State Association of Counties, along with the
League of California Cities held a webinar on February
2nd on the requirements of
Solar Access Act (SB 379, Wiener).
Last year, California lawmakers passed the Solar
Access Act (SB 379, Wiener). This new law requires most
counties and cities to adopt SolarAPP+, an automated online
permitting platform for standard residential solar and storage
systems.
Compliance deadlines depend on the size of the community, and
some are exempt entirely. Counties and cities
with morethan 50,000 residents
must adopt SolarAPP+ by Sept. 30, 2023. Counties and cities with
50,000 residents or fewer must adopt SolarAPP+
by Sept. 30, 2024.
Counties with fewer than 150,000 residents, cities with fewer
than 5,000 residents, and all cities in those counties are
exempt.
SolarAPP+ automates and standardizes building departments’
permitting processes for simple residential rooftop solar
systems. The platform asks the contractor a series of questions
to verify the solar system’s design is up to code, runs automated
code compliance and plan check, and then — for compliant systems
— automatically issues a permit so that installation can begin.
The platform was developed by the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory in collaboration with building safety and industry
stakeholders. It is free for all permitting offices.
Noncompetitive funding available until May 1, 2023
The California Energy Commission is providing $20 million in
grants through its CalAPP
program to help cities and counties recover the
cost of establishing an eligible automated, online solar
permitting platform.
According to the Commission, “most of the funding will be used to
reimburse staff or consultant time associated with implementing
the software.” However, there are other secondary permitted uses,
such as hardware, installation, and maintenance costs. Several
helpful resources are available, including:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has additional resources on its
SolarApp+ website. It is also holding live platform
demonstrations on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
now through June 29.
For information on the CalAPP grant program, please review
the program
page. The grant application form is easy to fill out and
grants are noncompetitive. Funding will be awarded on a first
come first serve basis. Applications are due May 1, 2023.
