Yes, most solar panel installations require permits. Whether you're installing rooftop panels or a ground-mounted system, local building departments typically require permits to ensure safety, code compliance, and proper grid connection. Below, we'll help you navigate local regulations and approvals for PV systems by explaining what owners and installers can expect from start to finish of the. Unfortunately, some states make this harder to achieve with restrictions on solar energy and its financing. Paradoxically, the states most likely to do this are some that would greatly benefit from solar power, like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.