SolarAPP+ Automated Solar Plan Reviews

The City of Canyon Lake is excited to partner with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to launch an automated, instantaneous Solar Permitting platform for contractors. SolarAPP+ (short for Solar Automated Permit Processing) is a software program designed by NREL that can be used to verify code compliance for residential photovoltaic (PV) projects. Effective September 25, 2023, all eligible PV projects may be submitted, reviewed, and approved in the SolarAPP+ program. 

The SolarAPP+ program is only available to appropriately-licensed contractors to obtain eligible PV building permits.

Before applying for an automated solar plan review and solar permit, projects must follow certain requirements. At this time, SolarAPP+ is designed to provide a code-compliance check for the majority of residential, roof-mounted, retrofit photovoltaic systems. To see which systems are eligible, please refer to the Eligibility Checklist. Only projects that conform to this list are eligible to use the automated SolarAPP+ portal for instant permitting. Projects that are not eligible for SolarAPP+ must be submitted for in-house plan check by the City of Canyon Lake through the city’s online portal.

PLEASE BE ADVISED! Projects that include main panel upgrades, main breaker derates, inline taps, or any other modification to an existing main panel that is subject to specified torque requirements by the manufacturer, are required to schedule a disconnect/reconnect with SCE, (sameday88@SCE.com) and with the city inspector for the same day to perform required torque tests. NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

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Get automated review through SolarApp+

    • If you are a licensed contractor or installer, you may register for a new SolarAPP+ account.

      1. Sign into your account or register with SolarApp+
      2. Follow the online instructions to submit your design through SolarApp+ to get pre-approval.
      3. Pay their $25 processing fee.
      4. Download the approved plans.
Apply for a Permit
      1. Apply for a Photovoltaic (SolarAPP+) permit online at E-OneStop Online Services.
      2. Upload SolarApp+ approved plans.
      3. Pay for the permit.
      4. Print out the permit card for the inspections.

 Schedule an Inspection:

      1. Inspections are performed during the hours (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). Later PM upon request only when available.
      2. Please have the City of Canyon Lake permit number (example 2023XXXXXX), type of inspection requested, address, site contact name and contact phone number.  
      3. Option 1: Schedule inspections online using the email: inspections@canyonlakeca.gov. Online inspections can be scheduled up until 5:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled inspection.  
      4. Option 2: Call the inspection hotline at (951) 746-7972 to request and schedule an inspection.
      5. Call (951) 746-7970 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. the morning of inspection to verify the 2-3 hour time window of inspection.