Resource Library

The "Go Solar California" incentive program has made its suite of marketing materials available for other state and local governments to use as guides. This state program is administered by investor-owned utilities. Visit source link below to access the program tools and documents.

These detailed outreach and marketing plans were developed by local jurisdictions participating in the Solarize Massachusetts residential group purchasing program and serve to guide other jurisdictions that are considering implementing a residential group purchasing program of their own. The first hyperlink is the City of Boston's outreach plan and the second hyperlink is from the Town of Montague.

This is a simple 1-page inspection checklist listing the items which should be covered at a high level.

This is a detailed 5-page PV inspection checklist focused on electrical aspects of installations. It includes references to relevant NEC code sections for all inspection checklist items.

This compact 2-page inspection checklist covers all aspects of field inspections and is organized in sections based on installation component.

This 3 page inspection checklist lists many of the requirements for PV installations. The 3rd page is a specific list of all labels required, along with corresponding NEC code sections. It is attached here, and can also be found on the City's building department website at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=430

This is a detailed 6-page PV inspection checklist for residential systems covering all aspects of installation including mechanical, electrical, labeling, and general requirements.

This is an RFP that was issued by Marin County for EPC services for a PV system at a public facility. The 95 page document can be used as a guide for agencies interested in issuing their own RFP. Find more examples at the source link below.

This is an RFP that was issued by the City of San Francisco for EPC services for a PV system at a public facility. The 58 page document contains many common features of RFPs including scope of services, evaluation criteria, terms and conditions, and site data needed by bidders. It can be used as a guide for agencies interested in issuing an RFP. Find more examples at the source link below.

This 2 page RFP document seeks lending packages from local institutions as part of the Solarize La Plata residential group purchase program. The program was seeking lenders motivated to invest in the community with special limited time financing options for installations of PV systems. The RFP requested basic information about the lending package including term, max/min amounts, interest rates, closing costs, and other terms. The 2 page RFP is available via the hyperlink below. The Source section below contains a link to the Solarize campaign website.

The City of Sacramento issued a request for qualifications to develop and install a solar PV system on one of the City's landfills with the intent to buy the electricity through a power purchase agreement. The hyperlink below displays the actual RFQ document that the City used to solicit competitive bids from solar installers and can be used as a template.

The Alameda County Planning Department has undertaken a review of existing county policies applicable to the development of Solar Energy Facilities (SEF), as well as consideration of new policies to facilitate and inform the review of proposed SEFs. This resource outlines proposed amendments to the general plan to maximize solar PV generation.

Telework policies vary in detail from simple to highly complex and involved. The following sample policy is intended as a general guideline as you prepare your company’s policy. It contains some of the essential elements required of good teleworking policies.

The San Francisco Energy Map was initially developed by the San Francisco Department of the Environment and CH2M HILL to promote greater public awareness about solar potential in San Francisco and to facilitate greater solar usage among commercial and residential building owners. Following the San Francisco Urban Wind Task Force's 2009 Recommendations Report, an urban wind map layer was added to the San Francisco Energy Map. It displays the location of clean energy projects, case studies, renewable energy potential data, and additional educational resources.

The San Francisco Green Business Program aims to help San Francisco businesses adopt environmental practices that are sustainable as well as profitable by setting stringent criteria, providing technical assistance, and publicly recognizing and promoting Green Businesses with a seal that enables customers to shop in keeping with their values. SF Environment runs the program and is supported by the San Francisco Department of Public Health and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

San Francisco is offering residents and businesses incentives to install solar power on their properties in an effort to encourage more local solar power and green job growth. Visit the source link below to access program documents, such as installer lists, workforce development information, etc.

In order to better understand San Francisco’s urban wind opportunities, the Urban Wind Power Task Force explored the potential for small-scale wind generation in San Francisco and addressed issues related to permitting, costs and incentives, environmental impacts, demonstration sites, and more. This report highlights the Task Force’s key findings and provides recommendations to help the City advance urban wind power.

San Francisco’s solar permitting process—which allows permits for systems 4 kW and under to be applied for, approved, paid for, and issued online or in person over-the-counter—is one of the most efficient in the nation. This paper describes the process by which the City and County of San Francisco developed and implemented its streamlined solar permitting process, provides an update on San Francisco’s current e-permitting system, and outlines relevant lessons for other jurisdictions undertaking such work. This paper is structured as a resource for other jurisdictions to access best practices in streamlined permitting and learn from San Francisco’s experience.

The San Joaquin Valley Plug-in Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan (the Plan) serves as a tool to support local government officials, including planners, code officials and building inspectors when planning for plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) and charging infrastructure deployment, and assists local policymakers and regional stakeholders in addressing the complexities behind barriers to PEV adoption in the region.

The San Jose City Council adopted the Green Vision in October 2007. It consists of 10 aggressive goals related to jobs, energy, water, waste, trees, and transportation. Goal 3 is to receive 100% of electrical power from clean, renewable sources by 2022. Click the hyperlink below to view a 2 page summary of this goal, or visit the URL in the Source section below to learn more about the Green Vision generally.

To give communities incentives to build more housing near rail stations, the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County created a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Incentive Program. It uses transportation funds to spur construction of needed housing and creates environmental benefits by giving people the option of commuting and running errands by rail. This program directly links land use with efficient use of the existing transportation system.

The Energy Element of the Santa Barbara County Comprehensive Plan, which was updated in 2014, offers long-range planning guidelines and mechanisms to encourage energy efficiency and alternative energies in Santa Barbara County. This document briefly describes the national energy situation and delineates economic and environmental benefits of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency. It also presents specific goals, objectives, policies and action items for the Energy Element.The first resource is a copy of the Energy Element and the second resource is a copy of the County's Resolution adopting the Energy Element.

Southern California Edison’s Interconnection Map provides SCE system data pertinent to DG developers searching for possible interconnection locations on the SCE distribution system. This set of maps includes the locations of SCE distribution circuits, substations, subtransmission systems, and areas of transmission constraints along with the associated circuit/substation/system voltage, available capacity, and current and queued DG interconnections amounts. The first hyperlink below is for a 12MB kmz file that is opened using Google Earth. It was the current map as of April 15, 2014. A more recent version may be available on the SCE website, see the Source section below. The second hyperlink is a screenshot of one portion of the map (for quick reference).

In an effort to make 'going solar' as effortless and streamlined as possible, SEIA has developed a Guide to Solar Power tailored for residential consumers. This 6 page guide informs potential solar customers about the financing options available, contracting terms to be aware of, and other useful tips. This guide will be updated regularly.

SharedRenewables.org is the information center for shared renewable energy projects and policy across the U.S, with the aim to provide a forum for advocates, policy makers, and solar developers to collaborate on shared renewable energy policy and projects to bring clean local energy to more Americans. The website features an interactive map that displays selected shared renewables projects.