City of Palo Alto, CA
PALO ALTO'S SOLAR ENERGY INFORMATION HUB
Find the latest resources and information available for installing solar power and expanding the solar market in the City of Palo Alto, whether you're a resident, business, installer or local government agency.
The City is well positioned for solar market growth due to a mix of renewable energy goals and supportive policies. Transitioning to solar power not only provides environmental benefits like enhanced air quality, but it also delivers a host of economic benefits from green job creation to market development. Below, there is a direct link to the City's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to "go solar".
Palo Alto is a part of the San Francisco Bay Area region.
Community Profile
Residential Solar Potential
Upgrade to LEADER plan to display your community's solar potential.Roadmap
The ASTI team has worked in close coordination with the City to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing guidance on how to transform the local solar market. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, examples, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.
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1 of 14 Goals In Progress 7 of 14 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P1-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Use Standard Permit Application Materials Specific to PV Systems(32)
Solar PV permit application in use; Solar ABCs template in use for projects of 15 kW and under.
City currently at best practice.
[P2] Make Permit Application Form Available Online(176)
No permit application form available online, but available through email upon request
Make the standard PV application form available online at https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/utl/residents/resources/pcm/pv_permitting_and_interconnection.asp.
[P3] Allow Electronic Submittal of Application Form(87)
Residential permit application can be submitted via email
Digital submittal review process is under development.
City currently at market best practice for residential systems. Make application available online (Goal [P2]) to make this process easier, and consider electronic submittal for commercial projects.
[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(164)
[P5-CA] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedule Online(40)
Comprehensive process information available online, including fee schedules.
City currently at best practice. Permitting and inspection information available at https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/utl/residents/resources/pcm/pv_permitting_and_interconnection.asp.
[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(75)
Within 5 days residential, 10 days commercial. OTC expedited review available by appointment.
City currently at best practice for expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying systems (under 15 kW). For all projects, issue or deny permit within 3 business days of submittal for residential and within 5 business days for commercial.
[P7-CA] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
[P8-CA] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(37)
[P9] Minimize Inspection Turnaround Time(147)
[P10] Offer Convenient Inspection Scheduling(94)
Appointment window of 4 hours within an AM/PM block.
Provide an appointment window of 2 hours or less if possible. Provide real time updates prior to arrival so contractor is aware and prepared.
[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(82)
2 inspections required for small residential systems, 3 required for commercial/large residential.
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.
[P12-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Adopt an Inspection Checklist(13)
Inspection checklists for residential and commercial projects are available online.
City currently at best practice. Residential PV Checklist: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/11785 Commercial PV Checklist: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/13906
[P13-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Allow a Structural Exemption for Qualifying Systems(26)
Approval from structural engineer required for residential systems.
For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements.
[P14-CA] Understand New California Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes (Title 24)(55)
Awareness of solar standards from most recent code cycles
City currently at best practice.
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2 of 4 Goals Achieved |
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[Z1-CA] Develop a Local Ordinance that Protects Solar Rights and Access(36)
City has a Daylight Plane ordinance that protects access to natural light.
City currently at best practice.
[Z2-CA] Develop a Local Ordinance that requires Solar Ready Construction(15)
No local ordinance for solar ready construction
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require all new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready, which go beyond California's "solar zones" mandate in the 2013 Energy Code (Section 110.10). Starting July 1, 2014, the building codes will require certain new construction to pre-wire for solar.
[Z4-CA] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive, Energy or Climate Action Plans(45)
Aggressive solar development goals addressed in City's Climate Protection Plan
City adopted a seperate solar plan.
City currently at best practice.
[Z6-CA] Update Local Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations - Historic and Viewshed Areas(14)
No solar ordinances specific to historic and viewshed areas
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.
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1 of 3 Goals In Progress 1 of 3 Goals Achieved |
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[F5a] Explore Implementation of Local PACE Financing Pilot Program (73)
Commercial PACE available throughout the County with CaliforniaFIRST; no PACE for residential
City currently at best practice for Commercial PACE, but will determined whether to implement Residential PACE program.
[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
No known local solar loan program, but under consideration
Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Solar rebates and incentives publicized through PV Partners Program
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. Rebate and incentive information is available at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/utl/residents/sustainablehome/pvpartners.asp.
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3 of 6 Goals In Progress 5 of 6 Goals Achieved |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
Exploring a residential group buy program.
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.
[M2] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Commercial Sector(6)
No working group.
City is participating in a commercial group buy program, CASE-SV.
City at best practice. Find information about CASE-SV at: http://www.solarroadmap.com/case-sv/
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
No working group.
Working with schools to collectively procure solar.
City at best practice.
[M6] Explore Installing Solar at Municipal Facilities, Including Landfill and Water Treatment Facilities(62)
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
City has provided workshops and trainings in the past, but not consistently and not publicized.
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. These programs can be linked to Palo Alto Green program and information should be easily accessible online.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
Some educational resources provided online
City currently at market best practice, but should consider holding more events to educate constituents about how to adopt solar PV. Information available at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/utl/residents/sustainablehome/pvpartners.asp
Resources
