Solar-Friendly City Permitting Streamlined

Can U.S. cities streamline their solar PV permitting processes? According to a new study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the answer is yes.

The study assembles permitting process scores from a variety of sources including the DOE's Rooftop Solar Challenge, and the U.S. Census.

"Essentially, the study boils down to one equation: permitting practices, for example, have average residential PV prices that are 27 to 77 cents per watt lower than cities with the most 'onerous' permitting processes."

Although the study investigates residential solar permitting, it is telling what could happen for commercial permitting as well. As the U.S. continues to adopt solar as a form of energy, permitting processes should be streamlined.

Source: Renewable Energy World

By Gaylen Davenport