SunCast 858: This Nonprofit is Revolutionizing Solar Permitting | Nick Josefowitz
Sep 26, 2025
Nick Josefowitz, founder of the nonprofit Permit Power, discusses the staggering costs of rooftop solar in the U.S. He reveals that the true culprit is not the technology but the excessive paperwork and permitting delays. Drawing on his background as a developer and policy leader, Nick highlights how streamlined processes in states like California and Texas are transforming the solar landscape. He shares innovative solutions to reduce interconnection hurdles and explains why a nonprofit approach is vital for reforming an industry riddled with inefficiencies.
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Local Rules Make Solar 'Artisanal'
- Slow, inconsistent local rules force each system to be custom and slow deployment.
- That bespoke process raises customer acquisition costs and causes high attrition for installers.
Delays Inflate Customer Acquisition Costs
- Permitting delays cause long waits for commissions and ~33% customer dropouts.
- These delays materially increase the effective cost of acquiring each solar customer.
Regulatory Choices Add Unnecessary Hardware
- Utilities and local governments often require unnecessary hardware and ban cost-saving tech.
- Banning things like meter collar adapters and ignoring smart inverters adds cost and slows installs.