Community Planning and Permitting for Solar Energy Efficiencies

• U.S. Department of Energy Grant• Broward County and 14 partner cities

collaborating to make solar rooftop systems easier, faster and cheaper for residents and businesses

What is Go SOLAR Broward Rooftop Solar Challenge?

Permitting Collaboration

• Coconut Creek• Dania Beach• Davie• Deerfield Beach• Fort Lauderdale• Hallandale Beach• Hillsboro Beach

• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea•Miramar• North Lauderdale• Oakland Park• Pompano Beach• Sunrise• Tamarac

Partnerships…Key to SuccessSolar

Industry

Why did Broward take this Challenge?

1. Increase number of rooftop solar installations by reducing permitting costs

2. Promote an ePermit environment

Benefits of Go SOLAR

1. Utility company rebates up to $20,000 per system

2. Federal tax credit for up to 30% of residential system cost

3. Save on energy bill 4. Cleaner source of energy 5. Greenhouse gas reductions

Go SOLAR Target Areas

1. Financing options2. Interconnection and net metering3. Planning and Zoning4. Permitting

Go SOLAR Planning

• Planning and Zoning Committee• Draft zoning ordinance• Interlocal agreement

Go SOLAR Online Permit System

• Save Time: Apply online 24/7• Save Money: Select pre-approved engineered

designs – eliminate complicated plan review process

• One Fee: Pay standard permit fee online

Streamlined Permitting!

Solar Contractor

Engineer Designs System

Apply in Person at City

for Permit

Building Department

Review

Zoning Department

Review

Review Comments/Responses

Process

Go to City to Pay Fee and

Obtain Permit

Current process several weeks

Solar

Contractor

Apply &

Obtain Permit Online

Proposed Process A Few Minutes

Go SOLAR Online Application System

The page contains information on online permitting, the Go Solar Fest, Go SOLAR Broward Rooftop Solar Challenge, and partnership information.

Broward County Go SOLAR Homepage

Go SOLAR Online Application SystemBroward County Go SOLAR Online Permitting System Website

This system may be used to request permits for residential or low commercial properties that are governed by a participating municipality.

Go SOLAR Online Application SystemBroward County Go SOLAR Online Permitting System Website

Go SOLAR Online Application SystemBroward County Go SOLAR Online Permitting System Website

Go SOLAR Online Application SystemBroward County Go SOLAR Online Permitting System Website

Go SOLAR ProgramMonthly Committee Meetings

Committees included Zoning, Permitting, Financing, and Outreach

The monthly committee meetings were rotated around Broward County at different facilities such as JM Family and the U.S. Solar Institute where the companies were able to educate committee members on solar and their facilities.

Go SOLAR ProgramGo SOLAR Kiosk

Solar contractor registering his company on the Go SOLAR Kiosk with the online permitting system

Home screen of the Go SOLAR Kiosk which provides users with the option of applying for a Go SOLAR Permit and also educating themselves about solar energy.

Go SOLAR ProgramGo Solar Marketing

Go SOLAR Tail Light Bus Ad

Go SOLAR Brochure

Go SOLAR CGTV Ad

Go SOLAR Plasma Ad

Go SOLAR ProgramGo Solar Educational Campaign

Go Solar Informational Postcards

Go SOLAR ProgramGo Solar Training Sessions

Go Solar Building Officials Training Session

Go SOLAR ProgramGo SOLAR Training SessionsGo SOLAR Contractor Training Session

Go SOLAR FestBroward County Go SOLAR Fest Homepage

This page includes information about the first Go Solar Fest event, a letter from Broward County Mayor Jacobs, and a link to the agenda and presentations.

Go SOLAR FestMarketing

Go SOLAR Fest Tail Light Bus Ad

Go SOLAR Fest PosterGo SOLAR Fest CGTV Ad

Go SOLAR Fest Plasma TV Ad

Go SOLAR FestKeShot Video Kiosk

Go Solar Fest Attendees Share Vision

Go SOLAR FestExhibitors

Broward County Transit Broward County Waste and Recycling Services

Go Solar Online Permitting System

Go SOLAR FestSpeakers

Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs gives the opening remarks at the Go SOLAR Fest. Seated behind the Mayor are Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Congressman Ted Deutch’s Broward County Director, Theresa Breir.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks at the Go SOLAR Fest.

Congressman Ted Deutch Broward County Director, Theresa Breir, presents the Congressional Record at the Go SOLAR Fest.

County Administrator Bertha Henry speaks about Broward County’s commitment to go green and advance renewable energy regionally.

Broward County Commissioner Martin David Kiar summed up the day’s events with closing remarks.

Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca opened the second day of the Go SOLAR Fest.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Director, Minh Le.

Broward County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness wrapped up the event highlighting the importance of bringing green jobs to the region.

Go SOLAR ProgramExamples of Go SOLAR Online Information

Go SOLAR Broward 5 Step Permitting Application Video

Go SOLAR Online Permitting System Applicant Training Video

Go SOLAR Broward Permitting Interconnection Video Why Go Solar?

Go SOLAR Streamlined Application ProcessGo SOLAR Know Your Solar Rights

Go SOLAR Fest Friday Session 1Go SOLAR Fest Friday Session 2Go SOLAR Fest Friday Session 3Go SOLAR Fest Friday Session 4Go SOLAR Fest Saturday Session 1Go SOLAR Fest Saturday Session 2

Installed Solar Projects

Lessons Learned

• Free is good

• Implementation of innovative solutions mined with time sinks

• Collaborative efforts vs. time

– Keeping partners engaged

– Tracking all aspects of the program

• Variety vs. efficiency

A Vision for Phase II

Rooftop Solar Challenge II Goals

• To build strong regional solar markets by rapidly deploying innovative, transformative, locally-generated solutions on a broad scale;

• To enable solar companies to more efficiently manage their labor, material and cash flows, and customer interactions by introducing process predictability and standardization at the local government level; and

• To increase affordability of residential and small-scale solar PV.

Rooftop Solar Challenge II Goals

• Additional Potential Partners

• Alachua County

• Orange County

• Miami-Dade

• Sarasota County

• Monroe County

• St. Lucie County

Benefits

• Become a “solar friendly” city• Provide expedited permitting for your

residents and businesses• Ready to use online permitting system• Educational information and training available

for your residents and businesses• Be part of a statewide initiative to advance

solar

For more information:broward.org/gogreen/gosolar