As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) SunShot Initiative, they recently announced $12 million in new funding aimed at streamlining and standardizing local permitting, zoning, metering, and connection processes and improving finance options to lower costs for residential and small commercial rooftop solar systems. According to the announcement, DOE anticipates that the funding will help support innovative, locally-driven projects that will make it easier for solar energy businesses to operate efficiently and pass their savings on to customers, while creating new jobs and business opportunities across the country. Read the full funding opportunity announcement. The Letter of Intent Deadline is January 11, 2013.