Resource Library

California's Public Resources Code Section 25402.1(h)2 and Section 10-106 of the Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Standards) establish a process which allows local adoption of energy standards that are more stringent than the statewide Standards. This process allows local governments to adopt and enforce energy standards before the statewide Standards effective date, require additional energy conservation measures, and/or set more stringent energy budgets. A list of local agencies that have adopted energy ordinances requiring more stringent energy requirements can be found on the California Energy Commission's website.

California has an aggregate capacity limit for net metering. The hyperlink below is a snapshot of the DSIRE website that outlines the California aggregate capacity limit.

California Bill SB 849 extends net metering to all technologies eligible for the Renewable Portfolio Standards. The first hyperlink below is a snapshot from the website listing the technologies.

California Bill AB 920 (2009) gives the customer two options for net excess generation. The hyperlink below is a snapshot from the DSIRE website with a summary of California net metering policies.

In California's Nonresidential Standard Performance Contract Program, energy-efficiency service providers (EESP) or customers entered into a contract with the program administrator in which they received posted prices for delivered energy savings achieved by installing high-efficiency measures at a customer facility or set of facilities. Program rules,requirements, and contract were standardized for all participants. In contrast to traditional utility rebate programs, which pay incentives based only on verification of installation, the NSPC program was pay-for-performance based.

The CPUC's Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides incentives to support existing, new, and emerging distributed energy resources. The SGIP provides rebates for qualifying distributed energy systems installed on the customer's side of the utility meter, at a rate of $2/W up to 3MW for renewable powered energy storage.

A detailed description of what a solar easement is and a review of how it has been implemented in California.

Two bills signed in 2012 place limits on the fees that local governments can charge for a solar permit. AB 1801 specifies that a local government cannot base the fee for a solar permit on the value of the solar system or the value of the property on which the system will be installed. It also requires the local government to separately identify every fee charged on the invoice provided to the applicant. SB 1222 restricts a local government from charging more for a solar permit than the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. The law further provides specific limits on the dollar amount local governments may charge for a permit: Residential cap is $500 plus $15 for every kilowatt (kW) over 15 kW, and the commercial cap is $1,000 plus $7 for every kW between 51 kW and 250 kW, plus $5 for every kW over 250 kW. SB1222 applies to roof mounts only and gives local governments the ability to exceed these cost limits by resolution or ordinance if certain criteria are met. The first hyperlink below contains the text of 1801 (2 pages). The second hyperlink contains the text of 1222 (3 pages). You can also visit the URL listed in the Source section below for a concise summary of both bills.

California has several laws designed to protect solar access. The Solar Rights Act prevents restrictions on solar installations by private groups such as HOAs as well as local governments and public agencies. The Solar Shade Control Act works to prevent shade from neighboring vegetation, and the Solar Easement Law allows for creation of voluntary easements between neighbors which are enforceable by law. The hyperlink below is a summary (length 2.5 pages) of California's Solar Access Legislation. An alternate summary with links to original bill text can be found at the URL in the Source section below.

California's 2001 Assembly Bill 1207 established statewide standard provisions related to the permitting and use of small wind energy systems, in order to promote their use and remove any significant obstacles. Local ordinances may not impose conditions on the installation of small wind energy systems that are more restrictive than the requirements and conditions outlined in the law.

This fact sheet was prepared for California Community Colleges and pertains to community college-level coursework as a resource for counselors to share with students. It focuses on hybrid vehicle education opportunities within three San Francisco Bay Area counties as well as occupational employment figures. Local governments can collaborate with neighboring cities and local community colleges to assemble and publicize similar fact sheets for clean energy occupations.

This case study from the National League of Cities and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation highlights in Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Austin as "bright spots" which are experimenting with new ways to engage citizens in the decisions made by civic leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors. Analysis focuses on lessons learned as well as challenges that lie ahead for inclusive and intensive community engagement.

These case studies provide an overview of the unprecedented success of the Solarize model—a community driven, group purchase initiative to help residents overcome the financial and logistical hurdles of going solar. The project effectively merged community activism and education, smart marketing, green job creation, and economies of scale to drive a high volume of participation. The first hyperlink displays the Solarize Beaverton Case Study and the second displays that of Solar Portland.

This case study draws on the experience of three existing programs in Sonoma County, Boulder County, and San Francisco, to illuminate the different choices that can be made about program administration, financing models, strategies for securing participation, and the use of data to measure the impacts. The first hyperlink displays a case study that identifies the most important lessons for other jurisdictions that are considering PACE. The second hyperlink displays Boulder County's program proposal to its Board of Commissioners.

This case study is intended to assist local governments, nonprofit organizations, or commercial entities in the process of organizing and executing a collaborative solar purchase for commercial-scale solar PV systems.

The Florida Keys Electrical Cooperative Association has a community solar program called Simple Solar.

Southern California Edison allows electronic submittal of interconnection application and agreement forms. Click below to access the SCE process checklist, which details the submittal requirements and provides the email address to which submittal can be made.

San Diego Gas & Electric has a dedicated webpage for net energy metering applications. The page allows for electronic submittal and contains the application form, process checklist, and interconnection standards and requirements. Click below to see a snapshot of the webpage, or visit the page directly via the URL in the source section below.

San Diego Gas & Electric has a policy to review interconnection applications for qualifying systems (under 30kW) within 1 business day. The document attached is a snapshot from the webpage where this policy is described; you can also visit the site via the URL in the source section below.

The Vermont Energy Act of 2011 is a state law providing for a simplified registration process for solar net metered systems of 5kW or less (amendment taking affect in 2012 extends to 10kW). This provision allows smaller systems to receive a CPG (certificate of public good) via registration. It gives utilities a 10-day window to note interconnection issues after which the board automatically issues a CPG. Click the download link below to see the relevant section of the Energy Act relating to utility interconnection process and timeline.

This case study details the steps and processes that have been used to successfully identify, fund, and implement solar PV projects in school districts across the country.

La Plata Electric Association is a cooperative utility in southwest Colorado. The LPEA website includes a dedicated page for interconnection and net metering related forms. Click File 1 below to see a snapshot of the webpage, click File 2 to download the application form itself, or visit the website directly at the URL in the source section below.

La Plata Electric Association is a cooperative utility in southwest Colorado. The LPEA website includes a dedicated page for interconnection of DG systems. This page has a (10) step description of the interconnection process, a downloadable application form, a design and submittal requirements document, an interconnection standards document, and a downloadable certificate of completion form. Click below to see a snapshot of the webpage, or visit the website at the source link below.

Southern California Edison has a dedicated page on their website for customer-generators. The page contains downloadable interconnection application and agreement forms, a process checklist, interconnection standards, net metering policy, information on financial incentives, and SCE contact info. File 1 below is a snapshot of the website, File 2 is the SCE interconnection process checklist form.

San Diego Gas & Electric has a dedicated webpage for net energy metering applications. The page has a downloadable checklist describing the interconnection process. It also allows for electronic submittal and contains the application form, interconnection standards and requirements, and info on financial incentives. File 1 below is a snapshot of the webpage, File 2 is the SDG&E interconnection process checklist.