Rooftop

Spokane deploys Washington’s first solar permit software, SolarAPP+

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Spokane deploys Washington’s first solar permit software, SolarAPP+
(Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL)

The City of Spokane has become the first in Washington to launch a pilot project involving an online software platform for local governments to standardize, streamline, and automate the solar permitting process for residential applications.

Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) allows for instantaneous permit application review, which Spokane officials say can reduce wait times for residential rooftop solar systems by at least two weeks.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed SolarAPP+ in collaboration with the solar industry, code organizations, the building safety community, and local governments. By integrating the web-based platform into local jurisdictions’ permit management systems, SolarAPP+ was identified to save an average of 12 business days versus the traditional review process during a pilot study. The app is baked into some legislation intended to speed up permitting in some other states, and is a tool that can be used for avoiding solar permitting mistakes.

“By implementing SolarAPP+ the Development Services Center is promoting the City’s commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy citywide,” said Tami Palmquist, Development Services Center director. “The use of SolarAPP+ is another step the DSC is taking to make our permitting processes easier and more customer friendly and, in return, saving our homeowners time and money.”

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Spokane expects the software to ease permitting requirements for installers without sacrificing safety and code compliance. The SolarAPP+ website charges a $25 processing fee for the automated review process, but city plan review fees will be waived for projects reviewed through SolarAPP+.

Interest in solar systems in Spokane has steadily grown in recent years, per city officials. Spokane issued 72 such permits in 2019; 76 in 2020; 207 in 2021; 591 in 2022 and 523 in 2023.

SolarAPP+ will become a permanent program offered by the city. Manual reviews of solar permit applications will also continue to be offered.

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