Building departments can launch a virtual solar inspection program in a matter of weeks by starting with a clear photo checklist, and simple video tools, or specialized software to handle scheduling, documentation, and compliance automatically.
Solar installations are one of the simplest permit types to move to a virtual format, largely because they solve a long-standing safety problem rather than creating a new one.
Step 1: Build A Simple Photo Checklist
Before any live call happens, departments should require installers to submit a defined set of photos so inspectors always get consistent documentation, regardless of who conducts the review.
Los Angeles County's model requires images of the property's street address, the roof plane before array placement, all equipment manufacturer labels, the inside of junction boxes showing crimped connections, the service panel interior, and grounding connections from the array to the electrode.
Once those photos are reviewed, the inspector moves into a live stream walkthrough covering the same equipment in real time.
Step 2: Choose Simple, Accessible Tools
Departments don't need to build anything from scratch to get started. Portland's solar program runs on everyday apps like FaceTime for iPhone or Google Duo for Android, paired with a basic equipment list for installers, including a fully charged device, a flashlight, a ladder, and printed city-approved plans on hand.
This low-barrier approach lets a department launch quickly using tools installers already know, before ever investing in dedicated software.
Step 3: Add Virtual Inspection Pro To Automate The Heavy Lifting
Once a department has proven the basic workflow works, a platform like Virtual Inspection Pro can take over the parts that become harder to manage at scale, especially documentation and compliance tracking.
Rather than manually assembling photo checklists, call recordings, and inspection results after each appointment, a dedicated app can automatically timestamp and geo-tag every session, keep records audit-ready for permitting authorities and incentive programs, and centralize scheduling so installers can book solar inspections without a phone call.
This kind of platform also solves a recordkeeping challenge that pure video-call programs struggle with: solar inspection documentation often needs to stay accessible for years, whether for warranty disputes, utility interconnection requirements, or state incentive audits, and manually stored FaceTime recordings simply aren't built for that kind of long-term retrieval.
Step 4: Offer Both Live And Asynchronous Options
The most productive solar programs give installers a choice rather than forcing one format.
Live video calls let an inspector flag an issue and let the installer correct it on the spot, avoiding a second trip back to the property entirely.
Photo or recorded video submissions, meanwhile, let installers capture everything at the end of the job and skip scheduling conflicts altogether.
Building both options into a platform like Virtual Inspection Pro from day one keeps the program flexible as installer preferences and department capacity evolve.
Step 5: Track And Prove The Results
Los Angeles now completes roughly 100 remote inspections a day across all trades, with about 30 of those for solar specifically, and IREC estimates inspectors can complete about three times as many virtual inspections as on-site visits, saving roughly $30,000 per inspector per year.
Departments should track these same kinds of numbers, inspections per day, backlog reduction, and miles avoided, from the very first month, since concrete results make the strongest case for expanding the program further.
Quick-Start Roadmap
Phase | Action | Tool Needed |
|---|---|---|
Week 1-2 | Publish required photo checklist for solar installs | Simple document or web form |
Week 2-3 | Train inspectors on live video walkthrough protocol | FaceTime, Google Duo, or similar |
Week 3-4 | Pilot program with a small batch of installers | Basic scheduling calendar |
Month 2 | Add Virtual Inspection Pro for automated records and scheduling | Virtual Inspection Pro app |
Month 3+ | Offer both live and photo/video submission options | Virtual Inspection Pro app |
Ongoing | Track inspections per day and backlog reduction | Built-in reporting dashboard |
Sources
LA County Public Works remote virtual inspection requirements for rooftop solar PV: https://pw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/docs/RVI%20Rooftop%20Solar%20PV.pdf
City of Portland Solar Inspections video guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O87VVWgr5mA
City of Portland Solar Inspections page: https://www.portland.gov/bds/solar-development/solar-permits/solar-inspections
Solar Permit Solutions on virtual solar inspections for clean energy compliance: https://www.solarpermitsolutions.com/blog/virtual-solar-inspections-clean-energy-compliance