Actually, they do address this - it's one of their baked in assumptions about 'integrated roofing' (they refer to those costs as PII):
"The roof replacement visionary pathway also benefits from savings in other cost categories. For example, the PII cost is reduced because we assume the PV permit cost declines to a standard $200 per system."
Given the huge complexity of various city, county, and state regulations, I think it's highly unlikely that permitting costs would go down for a system that is integrated into the roofing material. And if I'm wrong, I can't see them going down significantly - permitting and inspection fees are an income stream for cities and counties, and they do't just reduce them because of a PDF from the NREL...
They could do something similar to the FCC's OTARD rules, which make it generally hard for local governments and HOAs to impose limits or red tape around installing satellite dishes and antennae. This was hugely successful in making satellite TV competitive.
Actually, they do address this - it's one of their baked in assumptions about 'integrated roofing' (they refer to those costs as PII):
"The roof replacement visionary pathway also benefits from savings in other cost categories. For example, the PII cost is reduced because we assume the PV permit cost declines to a standard $200 per system."
Given the huge complexity of various city, county, and state regulations, I think it's highly unlikely that permitting costs would go down for a system that is integrated into the roofing material. And if I'm wrong, I can't see them going down significantly - permitting and inspection fees are an income stream for cities and counties, and they do't just reduce them because of a PDF from the NREL...