U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce legislation aimed at simplifying the permitting process for residential solar and other home energy systems. The proposed Streamlining Home Installation of New Energies (SHINE) Act is designed to help state, local, and Tribal governments automate and speed up their permitting and inspection processes for distributed energy systems such as residential solar, wind, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The bill was introduced by Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Mike Lawler (NY-17). It directs the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance, training, and grants to support these efforts. The SHINE Act would authorize $20 million annually over four years for these initiatives.
Ciscomani said, “The SHINE Act represents a commonsense approach to harnessing Arizona’s most abundant natural resource. My state is blessed with an average 300 days of sunshine per year and our challenge is to figure out how to use it in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible. This legislation helps us achieve that goal. It cuts bureaucratic red tape and streamlines the permitting process to make it easier for homeowners who want to capture the power of the sun. The SHINE Act will break down barriers, reduce costs and create exciting new opportunities for residential solar energy.”
Lee commented on the impact in her state: “Here in Nevada, where the sun shines more than 300 days a year, solar is one of the most abundant and cost-effective sources of energy we have. Our clean energy transition is well underway. Nationwide, permitting delays for rooftop solar and other residential energy systems are making this transition more costly and time-consuming for homeowners, businesses, and local governments alike,” she said. “The SHINE Act is a bipartisan, common-sense solution that will cut delays, save homeowners money, boost our small businesses, and maximize government efficiency.”
Tonko added: “More and more Americans across the nation are capitalizing on the tremendous opportunities and savings rooftop solar offers; however, permitting barriers and other obstacles are delaying homeowners from receiving these benefits,” he said. “We’re introducing the SHINE Act to break down these barriers and ensure more efficient, cost-effective solar deployment. I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing to advance this bipartisan, commonsense legislation.”
Lawler emphasized safety while improving efficiency: “Energy systems are an important part of how many American families power their homes and cars. By directing the Department of Energy to create a streamlined permitting and inspection process, this legislation cuts unnecessary red tape while maintaining safety standards,” he said. “Simplifying these approvals will help homeowners adopt new energy technologies faster and modernize our energy infrastructures for future generations.”
The main technological solution promoted by the bill is Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+), a free online platform developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that provides instant permits for code-compliant residential solar installations.
Currently only about 400 out of more than 20,000 local jurisdictions have adopted automated permitting solutions like SolarAPP+. Many local governments face challenges handling increasing numbers of applications for rooftop solar projects due to manual processing requirements.
The SHINE Act has received endorsements from organizations including Arizona Solar Energy Industry Association (AriSEIA), Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Advanced Energy United, Permit Power, Solar United Neighbors Action, and Sunrun.
Autumn Johnson from AriSEIA stated: “For many Arizona homeowners, the freedom to harness solar energy from their own rooftops is essential for combatting rising household costs. By passing the SHINE Act, Americans will be able to take advantage of a streamlined solar permitting process that is fast and affordable both for homeowners and local governments. AriSEIA applauds Representative Ciscomani and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for taking concrete actions to cut red tape and keep household utility bills down.”
Cory Vaughan from Signature Heating & Cooling also expressed support: “As a Tucson-owned…contractor—and an active member…Signature Heating & Cooling…strongly supports the SHINE Act of 2026…Streamlining permitting reduces unnecessary delays…allowing experienced local contractors to better serve communities…I applaud this bipartisan effort by Congressman Ciscomani…to make safe affordable clean energy more accessible.”
Abigail Ross Hopper from SEIA remarked: “At a time when we need more affordable solar energy on the grid than ever…this legislation makes it faster cheaper easier for homeowners go solar…We commend Representatives Lee Ciscomani Tonko Lawler championing this legislation.”
Harry Godfrey from Advanced Energy United noted: “The Department of Energy has created a great tool in SolarAPP+…United strongly supports the SHINE Act so that more localities can adopt this important tool…”
Nick Josefowitz from Permit Power stated: “At a time of rising electricity prices…the SHINE Act will slash red tape lower costs…”
Glen Brand from Solar United Neighbors Action added: “In too many places…inefficient permitting processes drive up cost…SHINE Act would encourage municipalities adopt streamlined permitting…”
Amy Heart from Sunrun said: “Online streamlined permitting proven tool…as families increasingly turn battery storage home solar gain independence…thank Congresswoman Lee Congressmen Ciscomani Tonko Lawler supporting commonsense solution…”
Juan Ciscomani currently serves as U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 6th district after winning elections against Kirsten Engel in both 2022—securing about 50.7%—and again in 2024 with approximately 50% [source](https://ballotpedia.org/Juan_Ciscomani). He replaced Ann Kirkpatrick in Congress beginning in 2023.
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