American-Made SolarAPP+ Prize

Text that says "SolarAPP+ Prize" on a photo of houses with solar panels

The SolarAPP+ Prize was a $1 million program designed to accelerate the adoption of Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+).

SolarAPP+ is an automated permitting software tool that provides instant permit approval on code-compliant residential rooftop solar systems. SolarAPP+ has been adopted by dozens of Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). For local governments that have adopted SolarAPP+, projects are permitted and inspected about two weeks faster than average, saving time for employees. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) awarded prizes of $15,000 to local governments that successfully adopted or piloted SolarAPP+ in about five months. The prize funding helped local governments lower the cost of the adoption process. 

DOE announced the SolarAPP+ Prize on September 12, 2022 and announced winners on July 18, 2023.

Overview

Step 1: Application

To apply, interested AHJs (including counties, cities, and incorporated towns and villages) must submit an application with a letter of support to demonstrate their intent to adopt SolarAPP+, the impact it would have on their solar permitting process, and their need for the product and the SolarAPP+ Prize.

Reviewers will review the applications and select competitors to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Step 2: Adoption

Eligible competitors will have five months to submit proof of SolarAPP+ adoption for the opportunity to win cash prizes. To win the prize, the AHJ must begin piloting the application with contractors in their community on or before April 27, 2023.

Interested participants can read the rules and register to compete on the HeroX platform.

Winners

Winners received $15,000 each for successfully implementing SolarAPP+ in their communities before the deadline:

  • City and County of Denver (Denver, CO)
  • City of Fremont (Fremont, CA)
  • City of Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie, WI)
  • City of Tiffin (Tiffin, IA)
  • City of Washington (Washington, IL)
  • Town of Oro Valley (Oro Valley, AZ)

Learn More