SolarAPP+ with DORA: Installer Guide

In Colorado, SolarAPP+ and the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) work together to streamline electrical permitting for residential solar and storage systems. This guide:

Helps identify if you need a DORA permit
Outlines what documents you'll need.
Details what to expect for SolarAPP+ plan review.
Explains how to ensure you submit everything to DORA
Prepares you for your inspection.

What SolarAPP+ Handles

SolarAPP+ performs a complete automated plan review of your system design, checking compliance with NEC, IRC, and product listings. Once approved, you receive an email with access to the following documents:

SolarAPP+ Approval Document (your plan set for inspection)
SolarAPP+ Inspection Checklist (what DORA inspectors will verify in the field)
Single-Line Diagram (SLD) (required by DORA for all projects in Colorado)

SolarAPP+ automatically emails this complete packet to you and to DORA, so the state has everything needed to inspect the electrical permit.

What DORA Handles

DORA's role begins after SolarAPP+ generates the approval:

Issues the state electrical permit (no plan review required—SolarAPP+ already completed this)
Collects state electrical permit fees
Conducts the field electrical inspection using the SolarAPP+ Inspection Checklist
Verifies installation accuracy against the approved design

DORA does not conduct any additional plan reviews before inspections. All technical validation occurs during the SolarAPP+ step.

Quick Start: Know Your Path

Is your AHJ within the DORA coverage area?

YES → Continue to question 2
NO → Obtain permits from that jurisdiction only, no need to obtain a DORA permit
NOT SURE → Check this list to identify if your AHJ is within the DORA territory

Does your AHJ require a separate building permit?

YES → Continue to question 3
NO → Go to Step 1B
NOT SURE → Contact your local jurisdiction directly to confirm their permit requirements

Is your AHJ a SolarAPP+ adopted jurisdiction?

YES → Go to Step 1A (Only do one plan review for both the local AHJ and DORA; proceed directly to DORA permit)
NO → Go to Step 1B (complete your local AHJ’s permit process then obtain SolarAPP+ DORA approval, then DORA permit)

You must obtain a DORA electrical permit if you are within the coverage area. This is a requirement for all residential solar installations under DORA.

Step 1A: Your AHJ Uses SolarAPP+ (Adopted Jurisdiction)

Check all SolarAPP+ jurisdictions here.

If your local AHJ has adopted SolarAPP+ for building permits:

Complete the AHJ SolarAPP+ application (includes a required upload for the Single-Line Diagram)
Receive your AHJ building permit from the local jurisdiction
1. This may require you to complete additional steps within the local jurisdiction’s permit portal in order to finalize the application.
Proceed directly to Step 3 (DORA electrical permit)

You do not submit a separate SolarAPP+ application for DORA because the AHJ's SolarAPP+ process has already captured and validated all required information. SolarAPP+ will forward your approval to DORA automatically, and you will need to reference the SolarAPP+ approval ID in the scope of work when you purchase your DORA permit.

Step 1B: Your local AHJ Does NOT Use SolarAPP+

If your AHJ does not use SolarAPP+ for building permits:

Obtain your building permit through your AHJ's standard process (paper form, online portal, email, etc.)
Once you have the AHJ building permit, complete the SolarAPP+ DORA electrical application
- Upload your Single-Line Diagram (SLD)
- Provide system design details
Receive SolarAPP+ approval
- If issues are flagged, you'll receive a detailed feedback report to revise and resubmit
Proceed to Step 3 (DORA electrical permit) once approved

Step 2: SolarAPP+ Approval (If Required)

After you submit your DORA SolarAPP+ application, the system performs an automated review and generates:

SolarAPP+ Approval Document (treated as your electrical plan set)
SolarAPP+ Inspection Checklist (mandatory checklist for DORA inspection)
Your submitted Single-Line Diagram (reference document for inspectors)

SolarAPP+ emails the complete packet to you and DORA simultaneously.

If SolarAPP+ requests revisions: You'll receive errors explaining what needs to change immediately. Revise your design, resubmit through SolarAPP+, and the system will re-review instantly.

Step 3: Purchase Your DORA Electrical Permit

Visit DORA's online permit portal:

Enter basic project information (address, system size, homeowner details, etc.)
Pay the state electrical permit fee
Your permit is issued immediately

After issuance if your DORA inspector requests additional information ahead of the inspection (site plan, affidavit, supplemental specs), respond in the same SolarAPP+ approval thread with the requested attachments.

Step 4: Install Your System

Install the system exactly as designed in your SolarAPP+ submission. Your installation must match:

The SolarAPP+ Approval Document
The Single-Line Diagram (SLD) you submitted
All items on the SolarAPP+ Inspection Checklist

Do not deviate from the approved design without resubmitting to SolarAPP+ for review. If you make changes (different panel model, different racking, different inverter, etc.) you will submit a revision on your SolarAPP+ project within the SolarAPP+ portal. The first three revisions are at no additional cost in SolarAPP+. The updated documents will be emailed to you and to DORA once they have been approved.

DORA Electrical Inspection

DORA inspectors will:

Use the SolarAPP+ Inspection Checklist as the primary inspection tool
Treat the SolarAPP+ Approval Document as the approved plan set
Reference your submitted Single-Line Diagram for electrical layout and connections
Verify field installation matches the approved design
Check NEC compliance including labeling, grounding, bonding, conductor protection, and equipment listings

Schedule your inspection through DORA's portal. Inspectors typically complete inspections within 5–10 business days of your request.

Single-Line Diagram (SLD) Requirements

Your SLD must show:

System overview:, inverter(s), battery (if applicable), main panel connection
Wire sizes and types for all circuits
Breaker/disconnect sizing for DC and AC sides
Grounding and bonding path
Component labels (make/model for inverter and other equipment)

This will be submitted to SolarAPP+ during your application and will be routed to DORA along with the SolarAPP+ approval documents.

What to Do If Issues Arise

If you get errors in your application:

Review the detailed feedback report SolarAPP+ provides
Adjust your design (equipment selection, wire sizing, etc.)
Resubmit through SolarAPP+
Reach out to our support team at support@gosolarapp.org
Schedule a 1:1 assist call with our support team via SolarAPP+ Assist

DORA requests additional information after I submit the permit:

Respond directly in the SolarAPP+ approval thread
Attach requested documents (affidavits, site plans, etc.)
DORA will respond within 2–3 business days

DORA inspection finds a discrepancy:

If the issue is minor (e.g., missing label), correct it immediately and notify DORA for re-inspection
If the issue is significant (e.g., installation doesn't match approved design), contact SolarAPP+ to determine if a design revision is needed before remediation
Schedule a re-inspection through DORA

Key Reminders

Always obtain a DORA electrical permit for jurisdictions covered by DORA. This is required, even if your AHJ doesn't require a building permit.

Install exactly to specification. Your system must match the SolarAPP+ Approval Document. Changes require a SolarAPP+ revision prior to inspection.

Use the SolarAPP+ Inspection Checklist during installation. It will be the same checklist DORA uses, so self-verify as you go.

Please make sure to keep all documents organized. You'll need the following on-site during your DORA inspection:

The SolarAPP+ Approval Document,
Your Uploaded Single Line Diagram
Inspection Checklist, and
DORA permits on-site during inspection.

Questions?

For SolarAPP+ technical support or application issues, contact support@gosolarapp.org.

For DORA permit questions or inspection scheduling, contact dora_eandp_permits@state.co.us.