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What is Go SOLAR Broward Rooftop Solar Challenge?. U.S. Department of Energy Grant Broward County and 14 partner cities collaborating to make solar rooftop system installation easier, faster and cheaper for residents and businesses. Grant Objective.
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What is Go SOLAR Broward Rooftop Solar Challenge? • U.S. Department of Energy Grant • Broward County and 14 partner cities collaborating to make solar rooftop system installation easier, faster and cheaper for residents and businesses
Grant Objective • To make solar energy more accessible and affordable to the public • To make the process of going solar simpler, faster and more cost effective for residents and small business owners
Committees • Outreach – develop and implement a community-wide education and outreach campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy and promote the installation of rooftop PV systems among residents and small business • Financing – Investigate potential financing options for the installation of rooftop PV systems in residential and small commercial structures • Planning and Zoning – Identify restrictive zoning ordinances and develop best practices for more favorable zoning provisions • Standardized Permitting – create a streamlined solar permitting process for all participating agencies and departments throughout Broward County.
Standardized Permitting • According to DOE, permitting can be as much as 20% of the total cost of PV solar installation • A streamlined permitting process enables solar companies to more efficiently manage their labor, materials, and cash flow resulting in significant cost reductions and lower prices for consumers • An on-line permitting system for PV solar installations: • Saves Time: Apply online 24/7 • Saves Money: Select pre-approved engineered design plans • Provides a standard permit fee: Everyone pays one standard fee online • Is hassle free: Obtain a permit electronically in minutes
Online Permitting System • Estimated launch date: End of October • Permitting system to be used by solar contractors applying for solar PV rooftop installation systems • Permitting system to be used by partner cities to process and track permit and inspections • Permit is issued at the end of application process • Inspections can be requested online once permit is issued
Next Step: Request Inspection From the permit detail page:
What happens next? After a permit is issued: • Applicant completes and submits an “Application for Interconnection” under FPL’s their Net Metering Program • Applicant requests all inspections using the online permitting system • The city’s Building Department receives notification that a permit was issued Once all requested inspections are completed: • Applicant follows up with FPL for interconnection • E-mail notification is sent to FPL and the appropriate fire marshal
Go SOLAR Online Permitting System Tentative Training Schedule • Tuesday, October 16th for building officials and partner cities staff • Wednesday, October 31st for Applicants (solar contractors)
Contact Information Maribel Feliciano, Permitting Committee Team Leader mfeliciano@broward.org Email: gosolar@broward.org Website: www.broward.org/gogreen/gosolar Facebook & YouTube @ Broward Environment Twitter @ BrowardEnv