San Francisco DBI secures $100K grant for SolarAPP plus implementation

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on significant developments in solar energy permitting and the management of vacant commercial storefronts. The meeting began with discussions surrounding the adoption of the SolarAPP Plus platform, aimed at streamlining the permitting process for residential solar and storage systems.

The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) presented a request for approval of a retroactive grant of $100,000 from the California Energy Commission (CEC). This funding is designated for the adoption and maintenance of the SolarAPP Plus platform, which automates the permitting process, thereby reducing staff workload and expediting the transition to renewable energy. The platform has been operational since October 1, 2023, and has already issued approximately 50 solar permits.

The grant application was submitted in February 2023, and the DBI received notification of the award in June 2023. The funding will support ongoing staff training and necessary equipment for the platform's maintenance. The initiative aligns with California's Solar Access Act, which mandates cities to implement automated permitting systems.

Additionally, the meeting addressed an ordinance to temporarily suspend the annual registration requirement and fee for vacant or abandoned commercial storefronts until December 31, 2024. However, this item was requested to be continued for further discussion, particularly in relation to budget considerations.

The meeting concluded with a motion to forward the SolarAPP Plus grant approval to the full board with a positive recommendation while continuing the discussion on the storefront ordinance. The motion passed with unanimous support from the committee members. Overall, the meeting underscored San Francisco's commitment to enhancing its renewable energy infrastructure and addressing urban vacancy issues.