Clean Energy Question of the Week
IREC and our EMPOWERED partners are committed to providing you with up to date, reliable, and vetted information that meets your needs. Join us each week for answers to your clean energy questions provided by leading industry organizations. The answer to each question contains links to additional resources you can explore to learn more!
Check out this week’s question and answer:
SolarAPP+ is a web-based platform that streamlines the permitting process for solar energy projects. Solar permitting applications can be time consuming and resource intensive for local governments to review and approve. The high volume of these applications can lead to backlogs and delays in solar deployment. SolarAPP+ is a tool that helps accelerate solar deployment by allowing developers to check code compliance before submitting their designs for permit approval. This can help to reduce the workload for local governments and improve efficiency. The platform was developed and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2019, and is now in use in multiple states and jurisdictions.
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In this mini course, you will learn how to use the inspection checklist from the SolarAPP+ tool to efficiently and effectively inspect a rooftop residential PV system with an energy storage system (ESS).
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Solar
SolarAPP+ is a web-based platform that streamlines the permitting process for solar energy projects. Solar permitting applications can be time consuming and resource intensive for local governments to review and approve. The high volume of these applications can lead to backlogs and delays in solar deployment. SolarAPP+ is a tool that helps accelerate solar deployment by allowing developers to check code compliance before submitting their designs for permit approval. This can help to reduce the workload for local governments and improve efficiency. The platform was developed and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2019, and is now in use in multiple states and jurisdictions.
Learn More
In this mini course, you will learn how to use the inspection checklist from the SolarAPP+ tool to efficiently and effectively inspect a rooftop residential PV system with an energy storage system (ESS).
0
0
Solar energy systems can sometimes face more complicated and costly permitting processes in areas where permit reviewers are less familiar with the technology. A simplified process can help streamline the permitting of most residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, including those with energy storage. This simplified process can help reduce informational barriers and ensure that all items in the inspection process have been adequately addressed before inspectors arrive on site.
Learn More
If you are a plan reviewer, inspector, or installer, these permitting and inspection guides from the New Buildings Institute provide an overview of code requirements for the installation of energy storage systems (stand-alone and paired with simple photovoltaic systems) in single-family, multifamily, and office buildings.
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Energy storage systems (ESS) are becoming more common across the country. When inspecting a PV + ESS, there can be a lot of system components to review, from the modules, to inverters and disconnects, to the ESS itself. To ensure a safe and correct inspection, it is valuable to understand the system components you will encounter and how to refer to approved plans and installation manuals.
Learn More
In this instructional video, you will learn from Chief Electrical Inspector Pete Jackson about the ins and outs of a solar PV system with a string inverter and a Tesla PowerWall in Bakersfield, California. This video course will help you educate yourself about the components of the system and related codes and standards, as well as permitting and inspection guides.
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Energy Storage
Solar energy systems can sometimes face more complicated and costly permitting processes in areas where permit reviewers are less familiar with the technology. A simplified process can help streamline the permitting of most residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, including those with energy storage. This simplified process can help reduce informational barriers and ensure that all items in the inspection process have been adequately addressed before inspectors arrive on site.
Learn More
If you are a plan reviewer, inspector, or installer, these permitting and inspection guides from the New Buildings Institute provide an overview of code requirements for the installation of energy storage systems (stand-alone and paired with simple photovoltaic systems) in single-family, multifamily, and office buildings.
0
0
Energy storage systems (ESS) are becoming more common across the country. When inspecting a PV + ESS, there can be a lot of system components to review, from the modules, to inverters and disconnects, to the ESS itself. To ensure a safe and correct inspection, it is valuable to understand the system components you will encounter and how to refer to approved plans and installation manuals.
Learn More
In this instructional video, you will learn from Chief Electrical Inspector Pete Jackson about the ins and outs of a solar PV system with a string inverter and a Tesla PowerWall in Bakersfield, California. This video course will help you educate yourself about the components of the system and related codes and standards, as well as permitting and inspection guides.
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0
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The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) in partnership with the International Code Council, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, National Association of State Fire Marshals, Slipstream, FSEC Energy Research Center, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory assembled these resources to provide you with up to date, reliable, vetted information and training related to existing and emerging technologies.