🇺🇸 SolarAPP+ Integration in OpenSolar

Summary

This article explains how to use the SolarAPP+ integration in OpenSolar to streamline residential solar permitting. It details the integration's benefits (faster approvals), how it works (creating and tracking applications), and how to set it up (connecting your SolarAPP+ account).

Table of Contents

Why use SolarAPP+ Integration?

What is the SolarAPP+ Integration?

How to get started with the SolarAPP+ integration

How do you enable and configure the SolarAPP+ integration?

Why use SolarAPP+ Integration?

The SolarAPP+ integration in OpenSolar helps to streamline the permitting process for standard residential rooftop PV projects in the United States. Without SolarAPP+, the permit review process can involve manual reviews, potential back-and-forth communication, and delays.

SolarAPP+ (Solar Automated Permit Processing) is a platform developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that allows local governments to process and approve permit applications for standard residential rooftop PV projects instantaneously. By automating plan reviews and compliance checks, SolarAPP+ eliminates delays, enabling installers to receive instant permits in participating jurisdictions. On average, this reduces project timelines by three weeks, leading to faster installations, fewer cancellations, and lower soft costs. This integration saves time and reduces the complexities associated with manual permitting, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.

What is the SolarAPP+ Integration?

The SolarAPP+ integration in OpenSolar allows you to create SolarAPP+ permit applications directly from Project records in OpenSolar. By linking OpenSolar projects with SolarAPP+, you can start a new permit application at the click of a button. Once linked, you can track permit applications all within the OpenSolar platform from submission to payment to approval. 

How to get started with the SolarAPP+ Integration

1. Check to see if SolarAPP+ is available in your area.
   
   
2. If SolarAPP+ is available - get started now:
   • Create an account at GoSolarAPP.org.
   • If you need help creating your account, check out this guide or reach out to support@gosolarapp.org.
   • Connect your SolarAPP+ account to OpenSolar by following the instructions below.
   • Begin streamlining your solar permitting process.
     
     
3. If SolarAPP+ is not yet available - advocate for SolarAPP+:
   • Identify key decision-makers in your city (e.g., building officials, local government leaders).
   • Engage with local officials to discuss the benefits of SolarAPP+.
   • Contact the SolarAPP+ team at contact@gosolarapp.org for support in facilitating an introduction.

How does the SolarAPP+ Integration work?

1) Click “Create SolarApp+ Permit” to initiate the permit process. 

2) Confirm Project Details and click Submit

When you Click “Create SolarAPP+ Permit”, we’ll check with SolarAPP+ if the Project is in a SolarAPP+ AHJ eligible for your account. If the AHJ is not eligible, a notification will appear before you submit. 

3) Complete Permitting application via SolarApp+ 

Submitting a new project via OpenSolar will create a new project within SolarAPP+ in the “Draft” state, on OpenSolar it will show as “Initiated”. A link will appear on the OpenSolar project page allowing you to quickly access that project. 

4) Complete application to move to Qualified status

Once the details are submitted in SolarApp, your permit will now be in the "qualified" state, which means it's awaiting payment until it can be labeled as approved.

4) Make payment to move to Approved status
Once you make the payment within SolarAPP+, the project is then moved to the approved state and your permit is approved! 

5) Your Permit is Approved!

Once a payment has been made in SolarAPP+, the project is marked as approved and you'll receive an Approval ID. This will also unlock access to "approval documents". For more info on what happens after project approval see this video.

Note: Approved projects may still require paying (and possibly submitting approval documents) the AHJ via their website. Reference the project in SolarAPP+ if you’re unsure. 

Archived projects

If a project is archived, we allow you to unlink it and create a new one.

How do you enable and configure the SolarAPP+ integration?

To enable and configure the SolarAPP+ integration, you must be an Admin on OpenSolar, and you need a SolarAPP+ account with permission to create an API token. 

To connect, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Control > Other > Integrations & API Keys within OpenSolar.
2. Click on "Connect Your SolarAPP+ Account".
   [Screenshot]
3. Enter your SolarAPP+ Client ID and Client Secret.