Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook Version 1 - Flipbook - Page 32
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Appendix
APPENDIX A: Automated Permitting Review
Platform Requirements
Excerpt from CalAPP Solicitation Manual, Section D.6 that describes the automated permitting review
platform requirements jurisdictions must meet.
The CalAPP solicitation’s purpose is to provide funding for California cities, counties, or cities and counties,
to establish online, automated solar permitting. Senate Bill 129 (Skinner, Budget Act of 2021) appropriates
$20 million in funding to the California Energy Commission (CEC) to support a funding program pursuant
to this purpose.
Funding through CalAPP is available to all incorporated cities, counties, or cities and counties to implement
an online, automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and issues permits in real time for
a solar energy system.
To meet its clean energy goals, California needs new renewable and storage resources, including rooftop
solar and storage projects. Per the 2021 Senate Bill 100 Joint Agency Report, achieving 100% clean
electricity in California requires an acceleration of the development of rooftop solar projects. CalAPP
funding is intended to encourage cities and counties to further enhance permitting processes and accelerate
processing and turnaround time, particularly regarding plan review. Overall, funding is intended to promote
the development of residential solar and solar-plus-storage systems, greatly decreasing approval times,
cutting permitting costs for local governments and homeowners, and helping California meet its greenhouse
gas emission reduction goals through an easier installation process.
6. Verification
The recipient shall submit the first invoice to the CEC following successful adoption of a qualifying
permitting platform. The applicant will indicate on the invoice form that the platform has been
fully adopted. CEC staff will verify successful adoption of a platform prior to approving payment of
an invoice. The applicant agrees to assist CEC staff with verification, which may include:
Verifying adoption of SolarAPP+ with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) or
other authorized collaborating partner.
Declaration and attestation of completed grant requirements.
Written report, including screenshots, if the platform is not SolarAPP+.
An online virtual meeting that includes screen-sharing a live demonstration of the platform
and answering CEC staff questions.
In-person site visit to demonstrate an in-house platform to CEC staff.
Pictures, system overviews, and other items requested by CEC staff.