How one Texas solar company cut engineering and permitting time from 40 days to four

AI generated summary

A Texas solar company, Fastrac Energy Services, has significantly reduced the engineering and permitting time for residential solar installations from an average of 40 days to just four days by utilizing the Instant Plan Set functionality in the Aurora software. This innovative approach allows for automated permitting in jurisdictions that use SolarAPP+, streamlining the process from contract signing to permit approval. The software enables the team to create standardized drawings quickly, which can lead to same-day permit applications, drastically cutting down the time and costs associated with traditional methods.

Despite the advancements, challenges remain, particularly with varying requirements from different authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs). While the Instant Plan Set feature has shown promising results, it is still in limited access and not all projects can benefit from it yet. Fastrac's Director of Design & Engineering, Justin Duncan, emphasizes the importance of knowledge in photovoltaics and energy storage systems for both designers and permitting officers to ensure smooth operations. Overall, the future looks optimistic as more efficient systems are developed, potentially leading to faster installations and improved customer satisfaction.