Adding more solar panels and battery backups to homes is key to Colorado’s clean energy transition. Locally generated solar power can help keep the lights on and meet growing electricity needs without relying on dirty fossil fuels. Plus, rooftop solar helps lower energy bills at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet.

As of 2022, Colorado had only used approximately 4.8% of the rooftop solar potential in our state. One of the reasons more Coloradans haven’t yet tapped into the power of the sun is bureaucratic red tape at the municipal and county levels. Colorado lawmakers and local governments can cut red tape and save residents money by supporting the Automated Permits for Clean Energy Technology bill in the Colorado General Assembly this month.

Even simple residential solar projects in our state can take weeks or even months to get local government approval for installation. But delays aren’t the only problem. The fact that permitting processes vary from one jurisdiction to another makes it complex and costly for solar installation companies to navigate. The additional costs this red tape generates can push rooftop solar outside of many homeowners’ budgets, despite the otherwise decreasing costs of going solar.

Expanding access to residential solar is a matter of racial and economic justice, and permitting obstacles place a particular burden on residents in disproportionately impacted communities (those subject to higher environmental and health burdens). Nationally, predominantly Latino neighborhoods usually have fewer rooftop solar panels than other neighborhoods.

Thankfully, there is a smarter way to go. “Instant” or “smart” permitting software for residential rooftop solar and home battery installations, such as SolarAPP+ and Symbium, allow solar installers to enter project details and instantly receive a permit for plans in compliance with local codes and safety requirements. This option cuts down on delays for solar installations. Instant permitting also saves time for local government staff, freeing them up to review more complex applications. According to a recent analysis, widespread adoption of instant solar permitting in Colorado would save local government permitting offices approximately 200,000 hours of staff time by 2030. By decreasing permitting time in Colorado, we can ensure more communities can afford to reduce their residential fossil fuel emissions.

Places such as Denver, Wheat Ridge and Bennett have already adopted instant permitting for solar. Others such as Alamosa and Gilpin Counties are in the process of implementing it. Across the country, more than 180 jurisdictions — including Phoenix, Oklahoma City and Houston — are benefitting from instant solar permitting.

But we’ll only get the full benefits and cost savings of this technology if jurisdictions across our state, rather than isolated cities or counties, start offering instant solar permitting. Making the process simpler and more uniform across the board will save solar installation companies time — and save Coloradans money. This is why all Colorado jurisdictions should support a statewide effort to bring widespread instant solar permitting to our state.

Sponsored by local state representatives and clean energy champions Kyle Brown and Lesley Smith, House Bill 1096 will require cities and counties across our state to offer common sense instant solar permitting as an option. Coloradans should have access to affordable solar power without unnecessary barriers. Together we can make going solar easier, quicker and cheaper for communities across Colorado.

Paul Sherman is a Climate Campaign Manager at Conservation Colorado. Juan Madrid is a Clean Transportation and Energy Policy Advocate at GreenLatinos.