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Effects of local permitting and interconnection requirements on solar PV installation durations

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  • O'Shaughnessy, Eric
  • Dong, Shiyuan
  • Cook, Jeffrey J.
  • Cruce, Jesse
  • Ardani, Kristen
  • Fekete, Emily
  • Margolis, Robert

Abstract

Most rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems must be reviewed and approved by local governments and electric service providers prior to operation. These permitting, inspection, and interconnection (PII) requirements help ensure safe PV system installation and operation, but onerous requirements may needlessly delay construction and operation. Here, we analyze PV PII data to understand the effects of local PII requirements on PV process durations. We combine data on local PII requirements with estimates of process durations for 248,741 PV systems installed in the United States. The data show that local variations in PII requirements can partly explain variations in PV process durations. Requirements that would be expected to reduce durations—such as instant online approvals—are generally associated with shorter durations, while requirements that would be expected to increase durations—such as structural reviews—are associated with longer durations. We find only weak evidence that measures to expedite pre-install processes result in post-install delays, and similarly find only weak evidence that increased pre-install PII oversight can save time in post-install stages. Our results provide further rationale for PII authorities to analyze their requirements and identify opportunities to streamline PII processes.

Suggested Citation

  • O'Shaughnessy, Eric & Dong, Shiyuan & Cook, Jeffrey J. & Cruce, Jesse & Ardani, Kristen & Fekete, Emily & Margolis, Robert, 2022. "Effects of local permitting and interconnection requirements on solar PV installation durations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:161:y:2022:i:c:s0301421521006005
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112734
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. O'Shaughnessy, Eric & Barbose, Galen & Wiser, Ryan, 2020. "Patience is a virtue: A data-driven analysis of rooftop solar PV permitting timelines in the United States," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Cook, Jeffrey J. & Cruce, Jesse & O'Shaughnessy, Eric & Ardani, Kristen & Margolis, Robert, 2021. "Exploring the link between project delays and cancelation rates in the U.S. rooftop solar industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Burkhardt, Jesse & Wiser, Ryan & Darghouth, Naïm & Dong, C.G. & Huneycutt, Joshua, 2015. "Exploring the impact of permitting and local regulatory processes on residential solar prices in the United States," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 102-112.
    4. Hsu, Jenneille Hwai-Yuan, 2018. "Predictors for adoption of local solar approval processes and impact on residential solar installations in California cities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 463-472.
    5. Dong, Changgui & Wiser, Ryan, 2013. "The impact of city-level permitting processes on residential photovoltaic installation prices and development times: An empirical analysis of solar systems in California cities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 531-542.
    6. White, Lee V., 2019. "Increasing residential solar installations in California: Have local permitting processes historically driven differences between cities?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 46-53.
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    1. O'Shaughnessy, Eric & Grayson, Alexandra & Barbose, Galen, 2023. "The role of peer influence in rooftop solar adoption inequity in the United States," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).

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