Solar industry groups release draft legislation for states looking to streamline permitting

AI generated summary

The Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have introduced the Grid Ready Home Act, a draft legislation aimed at helping states enhance access to rooftop solar and meet increasing electricity demands. This model legislation offers a structured approach to streamline interconnection and permitting processes, which are often responsible for project delays that inflate costs for consumers and businesses.

According to SI2, 'soft costs' such as interconnection and permitting delays account for 52% of the total expenses associated with residential solar installations. The Grid Ready Home Act seeks to mitigate these costs by standardizing approval processes for small systems and mandating smart inverter functionality. This initiative is timely, as state legislators are increasingly acknowledging the necessity for efficient permitting to expedite energy project development, ultimately promoting clean energy access and reducing costs for households and businesses.