The Long Island Unified Solar Permitting Initiative (LIUSPI) was launched in 2009 by the Suffolk County Planning Commission and the Nassau County Planning Commission. Prior to this effort,
Long Island’s solar installation permitting process had a different set of regulations for each town and village, creating confusion, delays and extra costs. The committee proposed an expedited and standardized process for residential solar electric systems. The new Solar Energy System Fast Track Permit Application process allows municipalities to meet the regulatory requirements, while reducing the time and money associated with approving solar installation permits. Another important aspect of the application includes waiving the need for a survey of the entire property or other information that is not relevant to the solar installation. To encourage municipalities to adopt LIUSPI, the Long Island Power Authority provided incentives to each township and to each of the first ten villages in Nassau and Suffolk that adopted LIUSPI.