Your town may already be a winner!

That’s the message from the U.S Department of Energy, which launched what it is calling the SolarAPP+ Prize, a $1 million program intended to speed up the adoption of its online platform that issues permits for code-compliant residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Local governments that adopt SolarAPP+ by April 27 can receive a $15,000 cash prize. 

DOE said that for local governments that already have adopted SolarAPP+, projects are permitted and inspected about two weeks faster than average.

The department’s Solar Energy Technologies Office will award $15,000 to local governments that successfully adopt or pilot SolarAPP+ over the coming months. It said the money can help local governments lower the cost of the adoption process. 

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To apply, interested counties, cities, and incorporated towns and villages need to submit an application with a letter of support stating their intent to adopt SolarAPP+. They also need to explain the impact the app would have on their solar permitting process, and their need for the product and the SolarAPP+ prize money. 

Reviewers will pick local agencies to move on to a second stage of the competition. Eligible competitors will have five months to submit proof of SolarAPP+ adoption. To win a prize, the entities must begin piloting the application with contractors in their community on or before April 27.  Winners are expected to be announced in May 2023.

More information is available here.