Amador County, CA

Initial Status: There is a standard building permit application form, but nothing specific to PV currently.

Guidance: Standard application is available for systems <10kW. Using common permit materials, such as checklists and standard plans, across a region reduces permit submittal errors among contractors.

Initial Status: Building permit application form available online, though no PV specific forms are currently in use.

Guidance: County currently at best practice. If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online in an easily accessible location.

Initial Status: Application form can be submitted in-person only.

Guidance: Allow email submittal of permit application forms for qualifying projects.

Initial Status: There is one building permit submittal required for residential and for commercial PV projects.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Limited process information available online.

Guidance: Post information on the solar permitting and inspection process online in an easily accessible location. This should include the process steps, timelines, fees, point of contact, and any other pertinent information.

Initial Status: No expedited process for qualifying projects.

Guidance: Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit (OTC) approval process for qualifying PV projects using a standard application form (see goal P1). For all projects, issue or deny permit within 3 business days of submittal for residential and within 5 business days for commercial.

Initial Status: Permit fee is valuation based.

Guidance: Permit fee for residential systems is based on cost recovery or a flat fee no more than $500 for systems <15 kW. Larger systems can be $15 for every kilowatt (kW) over 15 kW. Open-ended valuation based fee structures are inconsistent with State law.

Initial Status: Permit fee is valuation based.

Guidance: Permit fee for commercial systems is based on cost recovery or a flat fee no more than $1,000 for systems <50 kW, plus $7 for every kW between 51 kW and 250 kW, plus $5 for every kW over 250 kW. Open-ended valuation based fee structures are inconsistent with State law.

Initial Status: Inspection request turnaround time is within 2 days.

Guidance: County at best practice.

Initial Status: Inspection appointment window given to installer is 2 hours.

Guidance: County at best practice.

Initial Status: Multiple inspection visits required.

Guidance: Require only a single permit inspection. If additional inspections are required during installation, conduct in a manner that does not require installer to halt work.

Initial Status: No inspection checklist currently in use.

Guidance: Utilize a standard inspection checklist for PV systems. The checklist serves as a guide for inspectors and installers containing points of emphasis and common issues.

Initial Status: No structural exemptions.

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements.

Initial Status: Currently on 2014 NEC, awareness of recent solar updates.

Guidance: County at best practice.

Initial Status: No existing ordinance to streamline process for qualifying projects.

Guidance: Create an ordinance to expedite and streamline the permitting process for residential rooftop solar energy systems under 10kW. This ordinance must substantially conform to the recommendations, standard plans and checklists found in the most updated version of the Office of Planning and Research's Solar Permitting Guidebook (OPR Guidebook).

Initial Status: State laws provide limited protection for solar rights and solar access, but no local ordinance.

Guidance: County currently at best practice at the state-level. Consider creating local ordinances go beyond the CA Solar Rights Act and Solar Shade Control Act, which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: Statewide solar ready requirements for new residential construction; no local ordinance.

Guidance: County currently at best practice at the State level. Consider creating a municipal ordinance that goes beyond California's "solar zones" mandate in the 2013 CA Energy Code (§110.10).

Initial Status: Solar is not required in new construction.

Guidance: Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock

Initial Status: Focuses on some solar information in Energy Action Plan

Guidance: County currently at best practice. Amador County has an Energy Action Plan which was created by the Sierra Business Council. Ideally, the County will integrate these solar-related goals into long-term planning documents such as comprehensive plans, energy action plans, or climate action plans to support a growing market in the community. The strategic energy resources report can be found here: http://www.co.amador.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=20326

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar.

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations do not adversely affect property owners' ability to install solar. CA Solar Rights Act requires that local governments use an administrative, non-discretionary review process for on-site solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar.

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations in aesthetically sensitive areas do not adversely affect property owners' ability to install solar. Allow staff members to review and approve applications when possible rather than requiring committee or planning commission review. CA Solar Rights Act requires that local governments use an administrative, non-discretionary review process for on-site solar energy systems that do not place restrictions on visual or aesthetic concerns.

Initial Status: No restrictive ordinances creating a barrier to solar.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Amador County has not adopted an AB 2188 related ordinance

Guidance: Look to adopt an ordinance related to streamline the permitting process for residential systems < 10 kW in order to be in compliance with AB 2188.

Initial Status: Local implementation of PACE financing pilot program.

Guidance: County currently at best practice.

Guidance: Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Limited promotion of solar finance options and tools

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via webinars, marketing materials, or by providing links and information online.

Initial Status: No such programs known to exist locally.

Guidance: Consider collaborating with agencies across the region to aggregate government facilities, including municipal buildings and schools, for solar evaluation and cost-effective procurement to demonstrate leadership and reduce energy costs while strengthening the economy and environment.

Initial Status: County installed solar PV system at Administration builing in 2008.

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at additional municipal facilities, including landfill and water treatment sites.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these resources locally.

Guidance: Provide online access to training programs and resources for the installer community and potential workforce and organize an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding.

Initial Status: County aims to promote solar education resources as mentioned in its Energy Action Plan

Guidance: Help promote the availability of online tools and resources for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks.