Reducing soft costs to go solar 

One thing is consistent: the non-hardware, or “soft” costs related to permitting, installation, and maintenance make up more than half of the price of an installed rooftop solar array. The Rooftop Solar Challenge funding program is successfully decreasing these costs and creating a framework.
 

About rooftop solar challenge

Building on the success of the first round, Rooftop Solar Challenge II brings together government officials, regulatory entities, private industry, universities, utilities and other stakeholders to review differing and expensive systems mandated to install and finance residential and small business solar systems. With over 18,000 local jurisdictions, each having their own photovoltaic (PV) permitting requirements, it can be complex to navigate the solar landscape.Teams are striving to simplify processes and decrease costs. They created solutions in standardizing permitting and interconnection processes, facilitating easy and cheap bulk purchasing, and supporting rapid online applications.

The NYSolar Smart team partnered with state entities in New York over the installation process, such as building departments. They create a project-based change management platform that allows each party to assess the  changes to streamline permitting processes. By finding common ground and developing implementation plans, the group helped New York surpass half a gigawatt of installed solar capacity. The Solar Ready II teamworks with local organizations in 14 states and is managed by the Mid-America Regional Council. They also assisted local governments to create best management practices to result in more than 4 megawatts of new solar installations. The Golden State Solar Impact team created the second edition of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook. This set the standard for the country’s first state-mandated expedited solar permitting requirement. 

NYSolar Smart created group purchasing programs

Wholesale warehouse clubs allow consumers to purchase in bulk, and the Rooftop Solar Challenge teams are applying a similar concept  to assist others to go solar. The NYSolar Smart team instituted group purchasing programs. The Midwest Renewable Energy Association team supported 92 families put solar on their homes through e bulk purchasing programs, helped home and business owners learn more about solar, locate an installer, and choose a lender, that decreased soft costs and  installation of over 322 kilowatts of solar energy.

The Pacific Northwest Solar Partnership team assisted the Oregon Department of Energy create an online application process for residential energy tax credits that saves installers an average of two hours of paperwork per installation, that results in reducing costs. The Rooftop Solar Challenge II teams are funding program’s track record of decreasing soft costs for consumers. Jurisdictions can to reproduce their results, making solar energy a choice for  more people. 

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save. Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.