The fastest way to answer “Can this project use SolarAPP+?” is to separate two questions:

1. Is the project type within SolarAPP+’s current technical scope?
2. Does the specific jurisdiction accept SolarAPP+ for that feature at that address?

A project can satisfy the platform’s general scope and still need a different local submission path if the jurisdiction has not enabled the applicable SolarAPP+ feature.

Battery storage

SolarAPP+ supports qualifying residential PV + storage projects. Its current eligibility guidance lists a 20 kWh limit for an individual battery and up to 80 kWh aggregate ESS capacity depending on installation location, along with other configuration requirements. See SolarAPP+: What types of systems are eligible?.

Do not stop at “SolarAPP+ supports batteries.” Check the actual battery/inverter configuration against the current eligibility checklist and confirm that the jurisdiction supports the relevant PV+ST or storage feature.

SolarAPP+’s 6.15 software release also states that the ESS permit fee was updated to $30. That is a SolarAPP+ platform fee update; it does not mean the total city/county permit cost is $30, because local AHJ fees can still apply separately. See SolarAPP+ Software Releases.

Main panel upgrade (MPU)

SolarAPP+ has platform support for main panel upgrades, but local availability varies by jurisdiction. SolarAPP+’s live availability table distinguishes PV, PV+ST, storage and MPU features. See Where is SolarAPP+ available?.

Therefore, an MPU does not automatically make every project ineligible, and it also does not mean every participating jurisdiction will process the MPU inside the SolarAPP+ path.

Existing PV

SolarAPP+ currently supports certain new PV or PV+storage projects at sites with an existing PV-only system. Its existing-systems guidance states, among other conditions, that:

• the existing system’s equipment must be on the CEC current or archived equipment lists;
• the existing system must not already include storage;
• the new system must include new solar modules and an inverter; and
• modification of the existing solar system is not permitted within that workflow.

See Existing Systems in SolarAPP+.

That means “there is already solar on the house” is no longer an automatic no — but the exact existing-system facts matter.

Ground-mounted solar

Ground-mounted solar is currently outside SolarAPP+’s scope. SolarAPP+’s August 2026 eligibility guidance lists ground-mounted solar among systems that must use the jurisdiction’s traditional permitting process. See SolarAPP+ eligibility.

Homeowner / DIY installation

This changed in 2026 and needs a more precise answer than a blanket yes/no.

SolarAPP+’s 6.15 release (June 30, 2026) says homeowners can now register and create projects in SolarAPP+, but full permit submission is currently available only in DORA-eligible jurisdictions. At the same time, SolarAPP+’s general eligibility guidance still lists systems installed by homeowners as outside the ordinary SolarAPP+ scope. See SolarAPP+ Software Releases and the current eligibility guidance.

So the practical decision is:

• Colorado / DORA-eligible location: check the current DORA + SolarAPP+ homeowner submission path for the address.
• Other jurisdictions: do not assume homeowner registration means homeowner permit submission is enabled. Check the jurisdiction feature and licensing rules; the traditional AHJ permit path may still be required.

SolarAPP+’s DORA guide also makes clear that a DORA electrical permit remains a separate required milestone in covered territory, even when SolarAPP+ performs the automated plan review. See SolarAPP+ with DORA.

Quick decision table

Project fact	SolarAPP+ implication
Residential rooftop PV	Potentially eligible; check full criteria + jurisdiction
PV + battery	Potentially eligible; check storage criteria + jurisdiction feature
MPU	Platform-supported, but jurisdiction availability varies
Existing PV-only system	Potentially eligible under the current existing-system conditions
Existing system already has storage	Not within the cited existing-PV workflow
Ground mount	Outside current SolarAPP+ scope
Homeowner-installed system	Registration/project creation is now available; full submission is currently limited to DORA-eligible jurisdictions, otherwise check local/traditional path
Commercial / utility-scale	Outside current SolarAPP+ scope

What GridPermit should ask before answering “SolarAPP+ or traditional permit?”

• jurisdiction/AHJ;
• project address or at least city;
• rooftop vs ground mount;
• new PV only, PV+storage, or storage addition;
• existing PV or existing storage;
• MPU/main-breaker work;
• contractor vs homeowner installation;
• service and equipment configuration where relevant to the current eligibility checklist.

Only after those facts are known can the answer be reduced to a reliable permit path.

SolarAPP+ eligibility and local adoption can change. The sources above are the current first-party pages reviewed on September 9, 2026. Confirm the live jurisdiction feature and current eligibility checklist before submitting.