Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) this week launched a newly expedited residential solar permitting process that will make Montgomery County one of the first jurisdictions in the nation to pilot Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP+). That program was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The new process supports County Executive Elrich’s Climate Action Plan, as well as the County’s goal of reaching zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
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In 2020, DPS earned the coveted SolSmart Gold Designation for making it faster, easier and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar with its commitment to improve the solar permitting process. Under the current policy DPS is committed to completing solar permit reviews in five days. SolarAPP+ will enable the solar permitting process to be completed in a matter of minutes.
"Montgomery County's goals to combat climate change are the most aggressive in the State of Maryland and meeting these goals means greatly expanding the use of renewable energy," said County Executive Elrich. "SolarAPP+ will enable the County to streamline the solar permitting process, making it easier and faster for residents to generate solar energy on their rooftops. We are very thankful and appreciative to now have a presidential administration that is addressing climate change as seriously as we are."
The SolarAPP+ pilot will begin in August with large solar installers in the County. The use of SolarAPP+ is projected to reduce the review and processing time for solar installations. To fine tune all the processes necessary for solar installation, the pilot program will be rolled out with select installers. DPS will complete its evaluation of the pilot program in the fall. At the completion of the pilot program, DPS anticipates submitting executive regulation to enable the use of SolarAPP+ for all solar permit applicants.
“The Department of Permitting Services is pleased to work with SolarAPP+ to explore options that make our permitting services even more dynamic and customer centric,” said DPS Director Mitra Pedoeem. “With this pilot program, we will work closely with industry experts to make sure we provide not only faster permitting but continue to provide a high level of safety to our citizens.”
SolarAPP+ is industry-supported through the Solar Energy Industry Association.
"Montgomery County's goals to combat climate change are the most aggressive in the State of Maryland and meeting these goals means greatly expanding the use of renewable energy," said County Executive Elrich. "SolarAPP+ will enable the County to streamline the solar permitting process, making it easier and faster for residents to generate solar energy on their rooftops. We are very thankful and appreciative to now have a presidential administration that is addressing climate change as seriously as we are."
The SolarAPP+ pilot will begin in August with large solar installers in the County. The use of SolarAPP+ is projected to reduce the review and processing time for solar installations. To fine tune all the processes necessary for solar installation, the pilot program will be rolled out with select installers. DPS will complete its evaluation of the pilot program in the fall. At the completion of the pilot program, DPS anticipates submitting executive regulation to enable the use of SolarAPP+ for all solar permit applicants.
“The Department of Permitting Services is pleased to work with SolarAPP+ to explore options that make our permitting services even more dynamic and customer centric,” said DPS Director Mitra Pedoeem. “With this pilot program, we will work closely with industry experts to make sure we provide not only faster permitting but continue to provide a high level of safety to our citizens.”
SolarAPP+ is industry-supported through the Solar Energy Industry Association.
