ASTI Newsletter | Summer 2015 Edition | by Thomas Yurysta
California recently took a major step forward in making solar accessible to all homeowners by passing the Expedited Solar Permitting Act. This new state bill, AB 2188, will lower solar soft costs by requiring local governments to adopt ordinances creating streamlined permitting processes for small residential rooftop solar systems by September 30, 2015.
By improving the efficiency of solar permitting statewide, AB 2188 will help lower the cost of solar installations and further expand the accessibility of solar to more California homeowners who want to control their electricity bills and generate their own clean energy. In addition, making solar energy more affordable will help the state reach its renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals and create more local jobs.
While many communities across the country have taken their own steps to promote their local solar industry, this is one of the first examples of a statewide initiative to improve permitting at the local level. There are around 500 local governments with permitting authority in the state.
The Center for Sustainable Energy is hosting a free webinar to help communities in implementing AB 2188. This webinar will take place on June 30th at 10am PDT. The webinar will provide an overview of the legislation and best practices in solar permitting, and will highlight their AB 2188 Implementation Guide. Register here.
