I think you may be thinking well with your hesitancy here.
But for any others thinking along these lines consider this:
Overall costs would likely creep up even higher, if you need to add framing to keep the modular panels tight in place. Also any underlayment work,materials, and costs will pump it up even more.
And you could lose with success with these too. If they're terrible, then you lose. If its fantastic, then you may end up with a theft protection problem, and lose that way.
On the plus side, an alternating color grid might visually look cool...
But seriously, if the powers that be are being driven by forces that lead them to really really want a pervious surface for enviro resume reasons - there are likely better ways to get there via some of a gravel filled plastic hex material, either modular or cut from a roll.
That is, if it absolutely has to go that way.