Applications now open!
The APPS Grant Program application is now open until 5:00 PM MT on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. See the “How to apply” section below for more information.
The Automated Permit Processing for Solar (APPS) program is a non-competitive grant program offering financial assistance to local and Tribal governments to implement automated online solar permitting software, such as SolarAPP+ or Symbium. This type of software instantly verifies the code compliance of solar systems and issues permits, which saves staff processing time, enables solar businesses to install systems more efficiently, and ensures Coloradans who have invested in rooftop solar panels can start benefiting from them as quickly as possible.
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Contact information
Informational Webinar
APPS hosted an informational webinar on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The webinar recording and slides are linked below.
Demo Webinars
CEO hosted demo webinars with SolarAPP+ and Symbium. The webinar recordings and slides are linked below.
SolarAPP+ Demo Webinar
Watch SolarAPP+ Demo Webinar recording
View SolarAPP+ Demo Webinar Slides
Contact: team@solar-app.org
Symbium Demo Webinar
Watch Symbium Demo Webinar recording
View Symbium Demo Webinar Slides
Contact: hello@symbium.com
Overview
Type: Grant
For: Local and tribal governments
Amount: $1 million total
Match: None
Program Length: until June 30, 2028 or until funding is expended
Application: Applications are now open and until Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 5:00 PM MT. CEO will award grants on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding is expended.
- Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Applicants for the APPS program must be the local entity with the authority to approve the building permits and/or inspections for solar installations. These entities vary by location but typically include local governments (a statutory or home rule municipality, county, city & county or special district in the State of Colorado) and tribal governments.
Eligible project costs
APPS grant funding may cover the costs incurred to adopt an automated permitting software, including:
- In-house staff time or training
- Training for installers or developers
- IT or consultant time
- Maintenance or subscription costs for up to three years
- Hardware or Equipment
- Grant award amounts
CEO anticipates awarding a total of nearly $1 million. The maximum award amounts are based on the population size in an applicant’s jurisdiction.
Maximum award available based on population size Population size
Maximum award amount
Less than 50,000
$40,000
50,000 to 99,999
$60,000
100,000 to 199,999
$80,000
200,000 or more
$100,000
Actual grant funding awards may be lower than the maximum funding award. CEO will determine funding amounts based on the allowable proposed costs in the applicant’s APPS Budget File.
- How to apply
Applications are now open until Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 5:00 PM MT.
- Frequently asked questions
Click the link below to view responses to questions submitted during the APPS program informational webinar.
- Additional Resources
SolarAPP+
SolarAPP+ is an automated permitting platform designed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that can run compliance checks and process building permit approvals for eligible rooftop solar and storage systems.
Symbium
Symbium is an automated permitting platform that checks for code compliance and automates the issuance of permits for residential solar energy and storage systems, as well as other residential decarbonization projects.
SolSmart
SolSmart is a national program offering Colorado local governments free technical assistance to implement solar best practices by streamlining their permitting processes. Adoption of an automated permitting platform is one of the eligibility criteria required to achieve a Solsmart Platinum designation level.