Full Title: Overcoming Permitting Barriers for Rooftop Solar in Minnesota
Author(s): Katie Kienbaum, Ingrid Behrsin, and John Farrell
Publisher(s): ILSR
Publication Date: February 11, 2025
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Most local governments in Minnesota require both building permits and electrical permits before installing residential rooftop solar. Solar installers most frequently named unique and varying permitting processes across local governments as a challenge in Minnesota. Some local governments take up to six weeks to approve permits, compared to less than a week in others. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry approves electrical permits instantly, but no local governments have adopted instant permitting yet. Permitting and other “soft costs” make up more than half of total costs for residential solar projects. Solar permitting best practices — such as adopting instant permitting platforms and online permitting options — can save local government staff time.