New Clearinghouse Website Houses Clean Energy Permitting & Inspection Resources
The Sustainable Energy Action Committee and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council today announced the launch of a new clearinghouse website housing educational resources and recommendations related to the permitting and inspection of clean energy systems. The website can be accessed at: https://sustainableenergyaction.org/.
The Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC) brings together diverse clean energy stakeholders to develop consensus-based solutions to code enforcement and permitting challenges that affect the installation of clean energy systems, including solar, energy storage, electric vehicle charging equipment, and other technologies. SEAC’s activities are administered by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council under a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The website includes an extensive library of SEAC resources related to clean energy permitting and inspection. These include new informational bulletins providing guidance on how to apply the requirements of the International Residential Code (IRC) to residential energy storage systems, whether a jurisdiction uses the 2018 IRC or the 2021 IRC.
It also includes a wide array of other clean energy permitting and inspection resources. These resources link to model codes, training courses for code officials on how to inspect solar PV systems or use the SolarAPP+ automated permitting system for residential rooftop solar projects, and training for firefighters on how to safely respond to fire on a solar-equipped structure. Additional resources will be added regularly over the coming years; interested parties can subscribe to receive updates on SEAC’s work here.
The website’s resources are applicable to many different clean energy stakeholders—from authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), such as local building and fire departments; to clean energy contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers; electric utilities; testing labs, and other groups. Each of these audiences is represented in SEAC’s membership of over 900 participants across the nation.
“SEAC plays a unique role, providing an inclusive forum for all clean energy stakeholders to collaborate on practical solutions to clean energy permitting and inspection challenges,” said SEAC Administrator and IREC President and CEO, Larry Sherwood. “This is critically important because confusion about permitting and inspection requirements can increase the cost and time it takes to deploy clean energy projects.”
“The well-vetted resources housed on this site, developed with the input of stakeholders across all parts of the clean energy economy, will go a long way toward improving the permitting and inspection process,” said R. Steven Jones, Chair of the SEAC Steering Committee and Lead Regulatory Engineer at UL. “This is an important avenue to help lower soft costs, make clean energy accessible to more customers, and achieve climate and clean energy goals.”
In addition to IREC, SEAC’s official partners include the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), the International Code Council (ICC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA). These organizations help oversee SEAC’s activities as members of the SEAC Steering Committee.
About the Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC): SEAC provides the forum for all stakeholders to collaboratively identify and find solutions for issues that affect the installation and use of solar energy systems, energy storage systems, demand response, and energy efficiency. Stakeholders include, but are not limited to, AHJs, designers, engineers, contractors, first responders, manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, and testing labs. The purpose is to facilitate the use of affordable, clean and renewable energy in a safe, efficient, and sustainable manner. Learn more at https://sustainableenergyaction.org/.
About the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): IREC builds the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency to benefit people, the economy, and our planet. Its vision is a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, and equitable. IREC develops and advances the regulatory reforms, technical standards, and workforce solutions needed to enable the streamlined integration of clean, distributed energy resources. IREC has been trusted for its independent clean energy expertise for nearly 40 years, since its founding in 1982. For more information, visit www.irecusa.org or follow IREC on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
