Permitting and interconnection in Montgomery County
| Permit issued (median) | Same day (2024) |
|---|---|
| Inspection scheduled (median) | 20 business days (2024) |
| Utility approval before install (median) | 3 business days (2024) |
| Final interconnection to PTO (median) | 9 business days (2024) |
| Median residential permit cost | $530 |
| Online submission | Instant online permitting |
| Instant permitting | Yes (SolarAPP+) |
| Same-day, over-the-counter permits | Not available |
| Structural review, systems under 10 kW | Required |
| Electrical review, systems under 10 kW | Required |
| Inspections required | 1 |
| Rough-in inspection | Not required |
| SolSmart designation | Platinum · 3-day permit commitment |
SolarAPP+ in Montgomery County
Montgomery County issues residential solar permits instantly through SolarAPP+. Covered: PV, PV + storage, Main panel upgrade, Main breaker derate. The city's SolarAPP+ page.
Ballast lays out the SolarAPP+ application data in the order the form asks, so the submission is a copy-through rather than a re-type. How SolarAPP+ works.
A Montgomery County plan set from Ballast
Enter the address and Ballast finds the jurisdiction and the utility, pulls the aerial and parcel line, and builds the set on ANSI B: cover, site plan, roof or array plan, attachment details, line diagrams, NEC calculations, labels and spec sheets.
- Checks run under the code edition Montgomery County has adopted, each with the article cited.
- Any correction Montgomery County sends back becomes a rule for the jurisdiction, so the next set already answers it.
- The Solar Agent follows the permit through to approval, then moves the job on to interconnection and install.
Questions
How long does a solar permit take in Montgomery County, MD?
The median time to issue a residential solar permit in Montgomery County was same day in 2024, according to NREL SolarTRACE.
How much does a solar permit cost in Montgomery County?
The median residential solar permit cost in Montgomery County is $530 (NREL SolarTRACE). Confirm the current fee schedule with the jurisdiction.
How many inspections does a solar install need in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County requires 1 inspection for a residential solar installation.
Source: SolarTRACE, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 2025-09-09 release. Times are medians for residential solar in the year shown. Requirements change — confirm current rules, fees and forms with the jurisdiction before you submit.