What’s Really Delaying Solar Projects in 2025? A Nationwide Survey Reveals the Surprising Truth

PremiumCAD
3 hours ago
2 min read

“Permits—not panels—are the #1 project killer in today’s solar market.”

Background: Why We Ran This Survey :

At PremiumCAD, we work with solar installers and contractors across the U.S. every day. We kept hearing the same story: “Permitting is slowing everything down.”

But we wanted to know—how bad is the problem, really?

So, in Q2 2025, we surveyed 90+ solar professionals nationwide, from small local installers to multi-state EPCs. The results confirmed what we suspected—and highlighted the need for smarter solutions.

We broke the findings down using the STAR framework:

⭐ SITUATION

The U.S. solar industry is growing faster than ever, with demand surging due to tax credits, rising utility rates, and sustainability mandates. But amidst the boom, installers face one big bottleneck:

📌 72% of surveyed companies said permitting delays were their #1 obstacle to scaling.

From city-specific drawing requirements to rejected plan sets, even experienced teams reported multi-week hold-ups that cost them customers—and profits.

🎯 TARGET

The goal was clear: Speed up permit approvals without compromising quality or compliance.

But how?

>Survey respondents told us they needed:

>Faster turnaround on plan sets

>100% AHJ-compliant documents

>Less rework and resubmittals

>A reliable partner who could handle volume as they grow

>They weren’t just looking for a drafter—they needed a permitting partner.

🛠️ ACTION

That’s where PremiumCAD stepped in.

We refined our process using the feedback from this survey:

Built a nationwide AHJ database with local permitting rules
Streamlined internal QA to cut plan errors by 40%
Expanded our licensed PE network across all 50 states
Launched a new “Rapid Permit Pack” for installers doing 10+ installs/month
We also assigned dedicated project managers to high-volume clients to ensure personalized support and quick adjustments when AHJ requirements changed.

📈 RESULT

The results speak for themselves:

✅ 92% of PremiumCAD clients now report first-time approval of permit plans

✅ Average plan turnaround is just 22 hours

✅ Clients report 38% faster project completion times

✅ And most importantly—$1,200+ saved per project on average due to fewer delays and resubmissions

Here’s what one of our clients told us:

“Before PremiumCAD, permitting was a guessing game. Now, we’re planning installs with confidence.” – Project Manager, CA-based solar installer

Why This Matters for Installers

Permitting isn’t just a formality—it’s the heartbeat of your project timeline.

Delays kill deals. Backlogs kill momentum. Inconsistent plans kill your brand.

PremiumCAD eliminates all three.

Whether you install 5 or 500 systems a month, we design and deliver permit-ready plan sets tailored to your AHJ—fast, clean, and accurate.