Click here to see if you city is a permitting champion Nor a laggard.

Vote Solar’s new and improved Project Permit is launching in June 2013! Bookmark www.projectpermit.org, and check back in June.

When it comes time to install a new solar system, the local permitting process can be a walk in the park or a nasty bureaucratic headache. In 2007, local permitting and inspection added 13% to what a homeowner would spend on solar panels. Today, permitting costs add up to 33% more to a solar system, and within a few years they could add 50%!

Inefficient and costly permitting is becoming a significant barrier to solar energy development. Fortunately, it is a barrier that can be easily reduced by actions at the local level.

Get involved with PROJECT PERMIT and help us improve permitting practices in towns and cities across the U.S.

How does PROJECT PERMIT work?

1. Compile permitting data: We partner with solar supporters across the country to compile data on current permitting practices.  You can see how cities measure up against best practices on our interactive permitting map. If you don’t see data entered for your city, please consider helping us gather the information.

2. Grade permitting practices across a state: Once we have enough data gathered to release state specific reports on permitting practices. So far we’ve released reports in Arizona and Colorado and Pennsylvania. Check back soon for more reports.

3. Empower you to improve your city’s permitting practices: If your hometown has high fees or long turn-around times, use our online permitting toolkit to help bring your municipality up to best practices. In the toolkit you’ll find resources to help you work with city officials to make improvements.