What is the Rooftop
Solar Challenge?
On Dec. 1, 2011, DOE announced the winners of the Rooftop Solar Challenge. This project is a unique chance for local and regional teams to drive significant improvements in market conditions for rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) in their communities and throughout the United States. DOE is funding the awardees to address key market barriers, emphasizing streamlined and standardized permitting.
Overview of the ChallengeLearn how the Rooftop Solar Challenge will drive significant reductions in the administrative costs for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The Challenge is part of DOE's SunShot Initiative, which seek to make solar electricity cost competitive without subsidies by the end of the decade. |
Permitting and Interconnection ProcessesDevelop and implement a transparent, consistent, and expedient permitting and interconnection process for residential and small commercial rooftop PV systems, throughout all participating jurisdictions. |
Net Metering and Interconnection StandardsImprove interconnection and net metering standards, as evaluated by the Network for New Energy Choices grading scheme, for the primary load-serving utility in each participating jurisdiction. |
Financing Options, Planning and ZoningIncrease distributed PV market activity and resolve legal issues around third party ownership models. Remove siting restrictions and incorporate favorable provisions in state and local codes and land use policies. |
Overview of the ChallengeThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the Rooftop Solar Challenge to drive significant reductions in the administrative costs for photovoltaic (PV) systems. This national competition will engage diverse teams of local and state governments along with utilities, installers, NGOs, and others to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for residents and businesses. These teams will compete for funds to implement their plan to reduce administrative barriers to residential and small commercial photovoltaic (PV) solar installations by streamlining, standardizing, and digitizing administrative processes. Complex and lengthy permitting and grid connection processes increase the cost of solar energy systems and limit the growth of the solar industry. The objective of the Challenge is to make the process of going solar simpler, faster, and more cost effective for residents and businesses. |
ResourcesWebinarThis webinar provides an overview of the funding opportunity for DOE's Rooftop Solar Challenge to Induce Market Transformation. 
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Audio recording DocumentationThis webinar provides an overview of the funding opportunity for DOE's Rooftop Solar Challenge to Induce Market Transformation.
Read the Rooftop Solar Challenge Fact Sheet
Explore DOE's Solar Guide for Local Governments. 
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Permitting and Interconnection ProcessesDevelop and implement a transparent, consistent, and expedient permitting and interconnection process for residential (less than approximately 10kW) and small commercial (less than approximately 300kW) rooftop PV systems, throughout all participating jurisdictions. |
ResourcesWebinarThis webinar provides an overview of the issues surrounding permitting and interconnection processes for residential and commercial PV installations. Presenters explain the importance of increasing the efficiency and consistency of these processes, and discuss the permitting and interconnection processes portion of the market evaluation required as part of the application. This webinar covers the specifics of the interconnection process as implemented by individual utilities. Interconnection standards typically set at the state or public utilities commission level are covered in the webinar on Net Metering and Interconnection Standards.
Webinar
Webinar
Audio recording
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Net Metering and Interconnection StandardsImprove interconnection and net metering standards, as evaluated by the Network for New Energy Choices grading scheme, for the primary load-serving utility in each participating jurisdiction. |
ResourcesWebinarThis webinar provides an overview of net metering and interconnection standards as they relate to residential and commercial PV installations. Presenters explain the importance of improving these standards, and discuss the net metering and interconnection standards portion of the market evaluation required as part of the application. The interconnection standards covered in this webinar are those typically set at the state or public utilities commission level. The specifics of the interconnection process as implemented by individual utilities are covered in the webinar on Permitting and Interconnection Processes.
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Webinar
Audio recording
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Financing OptionsIncrease distributed PV market activity in models other than self-financed ownership by enabling direct financing options, community solar programs, and/or utility-owned distributed generation and resolving legal issues around third party ownership models. Planning and ZoningRemove siting restrictions and incorporate favorable provisions in state and local codes and land use policies in every participating jurisdiction to maximize PV siting options. |
ResourcesWebinarThis webinar provides an overview of financing options for residential and commercial PV systems, as well as an overview of how local planning and zoning codes such as solar access ordinances can affect residential and commercial PV installations. Presenters explain the importance of increasing the availability of financing options for homeowners and businesses, as well as the importance of updating local plans and zoning codes to facilitate solar installations. Presenters also discuss the financing options and planning and zoning portions of the market evaluation required as part of the application.
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Webinar
Audio recording
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The Rooftop Solar Challenge supports the goals of the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative, which seek to make solar electricity cost competitive without subsidies by the end of the decade.