City of San Carlos, CA
SOLAR ENERGY INFORMATION HUB FOR THE CITY OF SAN CARLOS
Find the latest resources and information available for installing solar power and expanding the solar market in San Carlos, 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".
San Carlos 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
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5 of 15 Goals In Progress 13 of 15 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P1-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Use Standard Permit Application Materials Specific to PV Systems(32)
City does not have solar-specific application form
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.
[P2] Make Permit Application Form Available Online(176)
Application forms are not available online
Permit application is available online.
City 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. Permit application form is available here: http://www.cityofsancarlos.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=2153
[P3] Allow Electronic Submittal of Application Form(87)
[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(164)
One submittal for residential projects and one submittal for commercial projects
City currently at best practice.
[P5-CA] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedule Online(40)
Permit and inspection process information and fee schedules are available online
City currently at best practice.
[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(75)
Less than 3-5 business days.
Permit application turnaround time for solar PV projects is 1-3 days.
City currently at best practice.
[P7-CA] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
Residential permit fee is $193.00
Residential PV solar fee is $198.
City currently at best practice.
[P8-CA] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(37)
Commerical permit fee is $280.00
Commercial PV solar fee is $285.
City currently at best practice.
[P9] Minimize Inspection Turnaround Time(147)
[P10] Offer Convenient Inspection Scheduling(94)
Call the day of scheduled inspection for a 30 minute time window.
City currently at best practice.
[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(82)
Multiple inspection visits required.
Single comprehensive inspection.
City currently at best practice.
[P12-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Adopt an Inspection Checklist(13)
No inspection checklist available
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.
[P13-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Allow a Structural Exemption for Qualifying Systems(26)
[P14-CA] Understand New California Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes (Title 24)(55)
Awareness of recent solar updates in 2013 California Codes
City currently at best practice.
[P15-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Adopt An Expedited Solar Permitting Ordinance(4)
No existing ordinance for expedited, streamlined process for qualifying projects.
Permit Streamlining Ordinance adopted July 2015.
City currently at best practice.
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3 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(15)
Statewide solar ready requirements for new residential construction, but no local ordinances.
City 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).
[Z4-CA] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive, Energy or Climate Action Plans(45)
Solar-related goals are included in the Climate Action Plan.
City currently at best practice. See Climate Action Plan here: http://www.cityofsancarlos.org/generalplanupdate/whats_new_/climate_action_plan___adopted.asp
[Z5-CA] Update Local Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(32)
[Z6-CA] Update Local Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations - Historic and Viewshed Areas(14)
No standards exist to inhibit solar on historical sites
City currently at best practice.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)
Status unknown
Private solar covenants are restricted by state legislation. Work with condo owner and homeowners associations to ensure that their covenant, conditions, and restrictions and bylaws do not create undue barriers to solar installations. HOA convenents cannot increase the cost of solar systems by more than $1,000, and cannot decrease the efficiency of systems by more than 10%. HOA must approve or deny plan within 45 days. This is a CA AB2188 mandate.
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2 of 3 Goals In Progress 3 of 3 Goals Achieved |
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[F5a] Explore Implementation of Local PACE Financing Pilot Program (73)
[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
No local solar loan program.
Various financing mechanisms are available.
Effective finance options are offered in the regions. Most vendors provide financing options.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Limited awareness within the community currently.
City has a dedicated webpage listing financing information, educational resources.
City currently at best practice. Webpage can be found here: http://cityofsancarlos.org/depts/cm/green_programs_n_climate_protection/default.asp
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3 of 5 Goals In Progress 4 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No such programs known to exist locally
Participated in Peninsula SunShares - a group education and purchasing program for homeowners.
City currently at best practice. More information on Peninsula SunShares can be found here: http://www.mygroupenergy.com/group/peninsula
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
Not participating in any programs currently.
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.
[M6] Explore Installing Solar at Municipal Facilities, Including Landfill and Water Treatment Facilities(62)
Solar is installed at City Corp Yard.
City currently at best practice. Consider conducting solar feasibility studies at other municipal-owned facilities.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
Limited awareness of these resources locally.
City has a public webpage with workforce development tools.
City currently at best practice. See webpage here: http://cityofsancarlos.org/depts/cm/green_programs_n_climate_protection/default.asp
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
Limited awareness of these resources locally.
City has a dedicated webpage listing solar educational resources.
City currently at best practice. Webpage can be found here: http://cityofsancarlos.org/depts/cm/green_programs_n_climate_protection/default.asp
Resources
