FAQs

The Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook is a publicly available resource that consolidates lessons learned and guidance on navigating codes and standards to simplify permitting behind-the-meter (BTM) or customer-side energy storage systems across California. The guidebook is a dynamic document that is updated periodically to reflect changes to codes and standards and to incorporate user feedback.

The guidebook was developed by the Center for Sustainable Energy in partnership with National Renewable Energy Laboratory, California Solar and Storage Association, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Guidehouse.  

It also incorporates input received during the project’s Technical Advisory Committee meetings, from interviews with relevant stakeholders and during public workshops.  

Funding for the development of this guidebook was provided by the California Energy Commission (CEC) through the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) grant program.

The purpose of the agreement is to fund research and development of an Electronic Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook designed to help local governments and their permitting agencies identify best practices and guidelines for permitting energy storage systems. While state-mandated codes and standards apply everywhere, local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) can structure their own permitting processes. The intent of the project was to compile replicable permitting best practices that AHJs and industry can use to develop standardized, streamlined permitting processes.  

The objectives of this agreement are to: 

• Conduct research to inform an energy storage segmentation approach to differentiate permitting requirements and procedures for varying storage systems.
• Develop lessons learned and best practices based on input from relevant stakeholders, such as AHJs, industry representatives, and storage installers.
• Create an electronic guidebook that documents and consolidates the patchwork of permitting requirements to serve as a resource to AHJs and storage installers.
• Circulate and disseminate the guidebook.
• Develop a training program to create a common understanding and continue to improve guidebook contents.
• Provide maintenance for the guidebook to account for operational or technical changes. 

The project began in 2020 and concludes in early 2027. 

This guidebook contains five main sections: 

• Section 1: Purpose and Use of this Guide – This section of the guidebook provides introductory information on the guidebook including its scope and purpose.
• Section 2: Codes and Standards Impacting Energy Storage Permitting – The second section focuses on codes and standards that impact energy storage permitting in California.
• Section 3: Energy Storage Permit Process – This section first covers a typical energy storage permitting process and then highlights examples of successful permitting processes implemented by various AHJs across the state.
• Section 4: Electronic and Automated Permitting Systems – The fourth section offers high-level guidance for electronic and automated permitting systems.
• Section 5: Permitting Resources – The concluding section consolidates a variety of resources for both AHJs and energy storage installers/designers. 

An ESS is a commercially available technology capable of absorbing energy, storing it and dispatching it at a later time. 

A battery energy storage system (BESS) is an energy storage system that converts electrical energy to chemical energy during the charging phase and converts it back to electrical energy during the discharging phase via reversible electrochemical processes. A wide variety of BESS designs have been proposed for residential, commercial and grid-scale energy storage.   

BTM refers to any equipment connected to circuits on the customer’s side of the utility meter. 

The guidebook focuses only on permitting mature, commercially available energy storage technologies that meet safety criteria and are widely installed in California. The primary focus is therefore grid-connected lithium-ion BTM BESS with nameplate capacities less than 1 MW.  

• CA Residential Code
• CA Electrical Code
• CA Energy Code 

• CA Electrical Code
• CA Energy Code
• CA Fire Code 

• Location and installation
• Battery chemistry
• Thermal management
• Fire detection and suppression
• Emergency response plans
• Compliance and certifications 

Automated permitting software uses digital workflows to verify that project plans meet code requirements, reducing review time for AHJs.

Consult your local building or planning department or check their website for resources. The guidebook provides general guidance, but requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Senate Bill 379 (2022) requires California cities and counties to adopt an automated permitting platform for solar PV systems under 38.4 kW AC, which may include attached energy storage systems up to the same size.

The project team welcomes all input from interested parties, and may incorporate feedback into updates to the guidebook until the end of the agreement term in March 2027. 

You may submit an interest form on energystorageca.com, attend a quarterly training workshop or email storage.guidebook@energycenter.org.

No current plans exist for the development of additional guidebooks on ESS permitting as part of the EPIC program, but the CEC staff may consider it in future investment planning. 

This project is set to end in March 2027, after which no further updates will be made.