Solar 3.0 was designed to overcome challenges that constrain the rapid expansion of distributed energy. Solar 3.0 amplifies the efforts of state and local governments to break down barriers by providing current information, tools, training, and “lessons learned” from innovators from around the country.

Two great features of Solar 3.0 are that it is highly adaptable to the needs of any city, town, region, or state and that you can start the Solar 3.0 process at any point.

Solar PV Permitting

The Challenge: In spite of the fact that small-scale solar PV  is well-established as an energy generation source in the U.S., the time and complexity associated with securing approval to construct small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations is significant.

Over the past 40 years, small-scale PV has been installed routinely on the rooftops of homes, warehouses, schools, on top of parking lots, and mounted to the ground in private yards, facility campuses, and on state and local government property. Because of its proven performance and common usage, small-scale solar PV should be easily permitted. But because of a patchwork of regulations and approval processes, the time and effort required to secure a permit varies widely.

The Solution: Solar 3.0 offers three primary resources to help communities streamline their solar PV permitting processes: 1) resources, templates, and guidance in the Permitting page of the Toolbox section of this site, 2) Training, regional workshops, and webinars, and 3) Community Profiles describing how communities around the country are implementing permitting practices to support solar energy.