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Portland’s Bureau of Development Services plans to increase permit fees for solar photovoltaic systems this month.

Since May 2008, BDS has offered lower building permit fees for solar electric and solar hot water system installations to encourage the use of alternative power. The number of solar permits issued has gone from 60 permits in 2008 to over 300 permits so far this year. But due to growth in the clean energy industry and a decline in most other areas of construction, BDS needs to return to charging standard permit fees for all prescriptive solar PV systems, according to Andy Peterson, manager of plan review and permitting for BDS.

“The solar industry has come a long way in its ability to meet customer needs,” Peterson said. “Our effort to offer lower permit fees was meant to complement other efforts supporting solar. Now that it works, it’s time to get us back up to a standard fee.”

Solar PV permits will increase from around $124 to $347.02 on Oct. 18 and to $448.50 on Jan. 17, 2011. Permit fees for prescriptive solar hot water permits, however, will remain at their current rate, which is between $124 and $135.