Energy & Solar

The City of Palm Desert is committed to supporting a sustainable energy future. By promoting simple habit changes, equipment upgrades, and greater awareness, the City aims to lead by example and show how easy energy conservation can be.

With support from community partners, Palm Desert has become a resource for residents, businesses, and visitors looking to save energy. Our goal is to make helpful information easy to find and simple to use.

Solar Program

California is a global leader in renewable energy, with solar, wind, and emerging technologies reducing reliance on imported power and lowering air pollution. Assembly Bill 2188 requires local jurisdictions to offer a streamlined permitting process for qualifying solar electric and solar water-heating systems, supporting the state’s goal of developing 12,000 megawatts of small-scale renewable energy.

Palm Desert has adopted this streamlined process to encourage both solar electric and solar hot-water installations. Solar PV permits are available for systems under 20 kW that include battery backup and a main panel upgrade. Please refer to the informational handout for details.

Note: EV chargers require separate permits. Please visit this page for more information on permits.

Apply for a Solar Permit using SolarAPP+

Licensed Contractors Can Now Submit Through SolarAPP+:

Residential roof-mounted photovoltaic designs for automated review through SolarAPP+; and
An online application for an auto-issued permit.

Automated Solar Plan Review

Before applying for an automated solar plan review and solar permit, projects must follow certain requirements.

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 SolarApp+ Eligibility Checklist
Only projects that conform to this list are eligible to use the automated SolarAPP+ website link for instant permitting.

How to Use SolarAPP+

Step 1: Eligibility to Use SolarAPP+

Main dwelling rooftop, permitted, residential structures only
No ballasted or ground mounted systems.
Please review the SolarApp+ Eligibility Checklist for acceptable projects
Licensed Contractors Only

Step 2: Submit for Automated Review Through SolarApp+

Submit Solar/Photovoltaic design at SolarAPP+ website link
Click Sign in or Register to get started.
Have Contractors license information available to complete this step.
A processing fee will be charged by SolarApp+

Step 3: Once Approved, Apply for Permit

Apply for a permit online via the City of Palm Desert Permitting Portal.
Click Login or Register to set up an account.
Then select Apply, Express Permit, and SolarApp+
Follow the prompts and input the SolarAPP+ approval number to proceed
Upload the SolarAPP+ Approval Document(s) and complete the application to receive a permit number
Click on the RED “Pay Outstanding Items” button to make payment online to complete the permit issuance.
Revisions (see below Revisions section).

Step 4: Schedule Your Inspection

Log in or set up an account at the City of Palm Desert Permitting Portal.
Locate your permit on-screen or search using your permit number:
- (EX: PVXP-25-XXXX).
Under the permit you will select, Request Inspection.
Follow the prompts to complete the inspection scheduling.

SolarAPP+ Permit Revisions

Submit your revision through SolarAPP+ first (SolarAPP+ website link).
You will be provided with a revised SolarAPP+ Approval Document.
The initial processing fee charged by the SolarAPP+ website covers up to three revisions.
Navigate to the City of Palm Desert Permitting Portal
Log in to the account associated with your SolarAPP+ permit.
Navigate to the Dashboard and click Active Permits.
Find the SolarAPP+ Permit Application you’d like to revise.
Under the Attachments Tab you can add a Revision file.
Attachments will then be reviewed and accepted by our staff.
The account holder will be notified of corrections or approval to pay fees.

If the scope of the revision makes the project ineligible for use of SolarAPP+, please contact DSCinfo@palmdesert.gov to coordinate the revision submittal process.

Programs & Resources

PACE Program

The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) manages a regional Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Through this program PACE providers, such as Ygrene, give residential and commercial Palm Desert property owners access to 100% financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation building improvements.

This program requires no upfront costs and is repaid through annual property taxes for a period of up to 20 years. Eligibility is based primarily on property value and equity, rather than credit score. The program covers hundreds of improvements, from solar electric and hot water systems to energy-efficient air conditioning units and water-efficient irrigation systems. To learn more about PACE or to find additional qualified PACE provides, please call CVAG at (760) 346-1127.

Desert Community Energy

Desert Community Energy, or DCE, offers ratepayers a choice in electricity providers and in the type of electricity they use. DCE was formed by the cities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Cathedral City and is a community choice aggregator (CCA) as certified by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Its purpose is to provide residents and businesses with cleaner, competitively priced electricity while retaining local control, reinvesting revenues and encouraging local job creation, and helping participating cities meet their climate action goals.

To learn more about Desert Community Energy, call (855) 357-9240.

Accessibility Assistance
The City of Palm Desert is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website for all users. If you require assistance accessing information on this site, please email ada@palmdesert.gov.

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