Solar Challenge

One thing is consistent: “soft” costs related to permitting, installation, and upkeep make up more than half of the cost of an installed solar rooftop array. The Rooftop Solar Challenge funding program is successfully reducing these costs and making a foundation.

Challenge Explained

Riding the wave of success of the first round, Rooftop Solar Challenge II brings together government officials, regulatory entities, private industry, universities, utilities and other stakeholders to assess contrasting and costly solar systems mandated to install and finance residential and small business solar systems.

With over 18,000 local jurisdictions, each having their own photovoltaic permitting requirements, it can be difficult to navigate the solar landscape. Teams are working to simplify processes and reduce prices. They make solutions in standardizing permitting and interconnection processes, facilitating simple and economical bulk purchasing, and assisting quick online applications.

The NYSolar Smart team partnered with state entities in New York over the installation process, such as building departments. They produce a project-based change management platform that permits each party to evaluate the changes to streamline permitting processes.

By finding common ground and building implementation plans, the group assisted New York surpass half a gigawatt of installed solar energy 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.

Bulk Purchases

Wholesale warehouse clubs allow consumers to purchase in bulk, and the Rooftop Solar Challenge teams are applying a similar model to help 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 bulk purchasing programs, assisted residential and business owners learn more about clean energy, find an installer, and choose a lender, that reduce soft costs and installation of over 322 kilowatts of renewable 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 decreasing prices.

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.

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