City of Mountain View, CA

Initial Status: No PV-specific application form

Guidance: Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects under 10kW.

Initial Status: Permit application form available online

Guidance: City currently at best practice. Information on permitting and inspections can be found at: http://www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/depts/comdev/building/default.asp

Initial Status: Submittals can be made online, but most are made in-person

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: 1 submittal

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Permit process information posted online, but not solar specific.

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: Small projects can usually be approved the same day, but this is not guaranteed.

Guidance: Consider formalizing an expedited or over-the-counter permit 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: $160-190 based on valuation with exclusions

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Based on valuation, but doesn't exceed state cap

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: Within 2 business days

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: A specific time can be requested. Appointment window is typically between 3-4 hrs.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Typically, single comprehensive inspection; some projects will require 2 if they are very complex.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No PV inspection checklist used

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: Structural approvals necessary for typical installation.

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

Initial Status: Awareness of solar standards from most recent code cycles

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No local ordinance to protect solar rights and access

Guidance: Create local ordinances which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: No local ordinance to mandate solar readiness, but included on Build It GREEN checklist.

Guidance: Create local ordinances that 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: Solar goals in GHG reduction plan

Guidance: City currently at best practice. Plan is available at: http://www.mountainview.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=10700 . Consider including solar priorities in the upcoming Climate Action Plan and Roadmap.

Initial Status: Zoning ordinance standards are solar friendly

Guidance: City currently at best practice. SEC. 36.06.50 in the Municipal Building Code exempts solar collectors from zoning permit requirements.

Initial Status: Solar is not addressed in local zoning standards in historic and viewshed areas

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.

Initial Status: Residential and Commercial PACE financing available through CaliforniaFIRST

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No known local solar loan program

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

Initial Status: Information available on energy rebates, but not for solar financing.

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 at http://www.mountainview.gov/city_hall/public_works/energy.asp.

Initial Status: No such programs known to exist locally

Guidance: Support the creation of a working group of community leaders and funding providers. This group would evaluate options and determine the most viable approach for aggregating residential solar based on best practices to date.

Initial Status: No known program in place

Action Taken: City is participating in CASE-SV, a regional commercial solar purchase program

Guidance: City is at best practice.

Initial Status: Participating in a region-wide collaborative for solar

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Solar on several public facilities

Guidance: City currently at best practice. Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites.

Initial Status: No known solar development at local brownfield sites

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify Brownfield sites and solar development options across the state, following the best practices and case studies provided. Share information with market stakeholders.

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: Limited awareness of these resources locally

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