Solar companies in Honolulu are reporting significant issues with the city's new Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) software, alleging that technical glitches are hindering the permit application process. These challenges have created frustrations for contractors and raise concerns about the impact on Hawaii's renewable energy initiatives.
According to a recent report by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the new system struggles with processing permit applications efficiently. Solar contractors claim the problems are causing delays in project approvals, leading to increased costs and potential project backlogs. Delays in permitting can be very costly and time-intensive for companies. The DPP's new system, intended to streamline the process, now requires additional staff resources to navigate and troubleshoot new issues.
These inefficiencies come at a time when Hawaii aims to increase its renewable energy capacity. Hawaiian Electric is actively expanding its renewable energy infrastructure. The state's push for cleaner energy heavily relies on the swift and effective implementation of solar projects, which now face potential delays. The DPP's efforts to address the backlog are crucial not just for businesses in the industry but also achieving state targets.
To help alleviate system backlogs, the DPP is taking steps to improve the permitting process. As detailed in a Honolulu Star-Advertiser article, the department is also working to eliminate inactive permit applications to improve efficiency. The department hopes that by removing older, inactive cases, they can address the bottlenecks within the permitting process.
For entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals in Hawaii's solar industry, these permitting issues create uncertainty. Efficient permitting is vital for project timelines, investment returns, and the overall success of solar ventures. Addressing these software issues quickly is important to avoid long-term damage on Hawaii's economy.
