Model Permitting Process


GA Solar officially endorses a model streamlined permitting process, and set of best practices. For local governments, a model solar permitting process will serve as a resource to ensure safe, compliant installations while reducing permit processing times and facilitating local economic development. For residents and developers, a standard, streamlined permitting process will help reduce installation times and soft costs of solar.

The majority of residential and small commercial solar PV systems installed in Georgia share many similarities of design that make it possible to standardize a streamlined model permitting process for small-scale solar PV systems. Originally promulgated through Solar America Board for Codes and Standards, the following permitting framework and best practices was developed through a collaboration of Georgia solar PV experts and industry stakeholders to be used by Georgia governments as a tool to promote residential and small commercial solar PV and economic development in Georgia.

Permitting Best Practices

  • Post requirements online
  • Streamlined review - one person
  • Enable online processing
  • Fast turn-around time
  • Fair, flat fees
  • No community specific license needed
  • Single consolidated inspection

Model Permitting Resources  -  (click on the links below)

Solar ABC's Report Overview
Solar ABC's Full Report
Application Form & Detailed Example

Application Examples

Microinventer
String Inverter 
Supply Side Connection

 

City of Atlanta

The City of Atlanta worked with GA Solar and the Georgia Solar Energy Industries Association (GA SEIA) to create an expedited permitting process for homes and businesses that want to install solar. This process provides an excellent model that other cities and counties can use to create their own permitting process that will bring the benefits and investment of solar energy to communities throughout the state.

Click Here to Read Atlanta's Solar Permitting Ordinance