Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook - Report - Page 26
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Energy Storage Guidebook
Several AHJs in California have set up systems to allow electronic submittal and
approval of building permit applications—an approach accelerated by the COVID-19
pandemic and growing in popularity since.
Automated plan review tools are distinct from electronic document systems (although they may sometimes
be integrated into one platform) and use automatic review approaches to check that project plans meet code
requirements. AHJs can then use the results of the automated plan review to trigger the issuance of a permit.
Senate Bill 379 requires cities and counties to “implement an online, automated permitting platform” that
can verify code compliance and issue a permit “in real time” for residential solar systems of less than 38.4 kW
and for residential ESS paired with such solar systems, and further requires nonexempt cities and counties to
report the number of permits issued to the CEC annually. Cities with fewer than 5,000 residents and counties
with fewer than 150,000 residents are exempt. A city or county can comply with SB 379 requirements to
implement an automated permitting platform2 by adopting qualifying software or developing their own
software to meet the requirements. The bill also requires that AHJs report the number of permits issued to
the CEC. The permit process plays a critical role in protecting building occupants and property by ensuring
that the design and construction of buildings, and the installation of certain systems, such as ESS, meet
relevant codes and standards.
Electronic Permitting System Examples
SolarAPP+ Electronic Permitting System
SolarAPP+ is a standardized plan review software that runs compliance checks and processes building
permit approvals for residential rooftop solar and energy storage systems. SolarAPP+, which stands for
“Solar Automated Permit Processing plus other clean energy technologies,” was developed by the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a project partner for this guidebook. Today, the SolarAPP Foundation,
a nonprofit organization, manages and develops the SolarAPP+ product. The SolarAPP Foundation has
teams working directly with AHJs and installers to provide onboarding, training, and support services.
While the SolarAPP Foundation leads day-to-day management, the foundation’s board of directors—made
up of industry and government stakeholders—advises on the strategic approach for safe and automated
permitting.
Additional information on the platform is available on the SolarAPP+ website at https://gosolarapp.org/.
Symbium Electronic Permitting System
Symbium is an online permitting platform that provides instant code compliance and completeness
checks, combining user-friendly design with automated permit application submission. The platform
guides contractors and owner-builders through project requirements step by step, ensuring all necessary
information is captured while providing real-time feedback on code compliance before applications are
submitted to jurisdictions.
Additional information on the platform is available on the Symbium website at https://symbium.com/.
2
Government Code Section 65850.52(b)(1).
