Realize Impact Invests $2.5 Million in SolarAPP Foundation to Accelerate the Adoption of Automated Solar Permitting Across the U.S

The SolarAPP Foundation is pleased to announce a strategic investment of $2.5 million from Realize Impact to accelerate the adoption of automated permitting for rooftop solar and home battery installations across the United States. This funding will empower the SolarAPP Foundation to expand its innovative SolarAPP+ platform, which streamlines and standardizes residential solar photovoltaic and battery storage permitting for local governments, reducing wait times and lowering installation costs for municipalities, installers, and customers. Lower costs of clean energy technologies make them more accessible to more Americans, especially those most vulnerable to climate change.

This investment marks a pivotal step in supporting SolarAPP Foundation’s mission to make clean energy more accessible, efficient, and affordable for all Americans. Originally developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), SolarAPP+ is a game-changing technology that automates compliance checks and issues instant permits for rooftop solar and battery storage systems. Currently, more than 230 jurisdictions across the country rely on SolarAPP+ to reduce permitting timelines by an average of 14.5 business days compared to traditional processes.

“We are thrilled to receive this investment from Realize Impact,” said Matthew McAllister, CEO of the SolarAPP Foundation. “With their support, we will expand SolarAPP+ into more communities, ultimately making solar installations faster, safer, and more affordable for homeowners across the nation. This funding will enable us to focus on product development, education and outreach, and supporting jurisdictions to adopt automated permitting processes, helping us all work toward a cleaner energy future.”

Realize Impact’s investment aligns with its commitment to funding initiatives that create tangible environmental and social impacts. By supporting SolarAPP+, Realize Impact is advancing a clean energy solution that has proven capable of driving down soft costs, accelerating solar adoption, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the local level. This investment is a concessionary loan, and intended to be catalytic capital that attracts future public and private support for the SolarAPP Foundation. As a non-profit, Realize Impact intends to reinvest all the proceeds from the investment into charities that directly benefit the public.

“We believe in the transformative potential of SolarAPP+ to catalyze solar adoption on a national scale,” said Matt Eldridge, Executive Director of Realize Impact. “This investment not only fosters environmental benefits by enabling clean energy but also bolsters local economies by supporting small businesses looking to expand their clean energy installation businesses. Technology solutions like SolarAPP+ have a unique ability to break down the barriers slowing solar adoption, and we’re excited to be part of this movement.”

The SolarAPP Foundation, an independent nonprofit, expands the reach and capabilities of SolarAPP+ by fostering collaboration with local governments, the solar industry, and community stakeholders. With support from Realize Impact, the Foundation will amplify its efforts to promote SolarAPP+ nationwide, with a focus on underserved communities in the energy transition.

The SolarAPP Foundation invites interested stakeholders and community members to join in its efforts to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for everyone. This investment marks an important milestone in realizing the full potential of solar automation to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s clean energy goals.

SolarAPP Foundation | gosolarapp.org

Realize Impact | realizeimpact.org