City of Sunnyvale, CA

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

Guidance: Standard PV permit application materials include: submittal requirements information, eligibility checklist for expedited permitting, and PV standard plan. Using standard materials across a region reduces submittal errors and department approval backlog. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

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

Guidance: 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.

Initial Status: Electronic submittal not currently available

Guidance: Application submittals, fee payment, signatures, and permit issuances can be completed through internet, email, or fax. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: 1 submittal

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Comprehensive process information available online.

Guidance: City currently at best market practice! Information can be found at http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/Permits,PlanChecksandFees.aspx

Initial Status: Comprehensive process information available online

Guidance: City currently at best practice. Information can be found at http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/Permits,PlanChecksandFees.aspx.

Initial Status: Review process is over the counter

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Permit fee of $253 for residential projects

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Permit fee is flat fee of $775, which is at cost recovery

Guidance: City is currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Within 2 business days

Guidance: City is currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Next day appointment window with 3-4 hour timeframe.

Guidance: Installer is given specific time or time window less than 2hrs for onsite inspection. Utilize phone and/or email to provide info on anticipated inspection time.This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: 1 inspection visit for residential; 2 visits for commercial

Action Taken: 2 visits for commercial

Guidance: City currently at market best practice for residential projects. Consider requiring only a single, final inspection visit is required for permit and interconnection together. Coordinate inspection among various agencies or schedule multiple agency inspections for the same time. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: No known inspection checklist

Guidance: Use a standard checklist for PV field inspections that is available to applicants prior to inspection. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Approval from structural engineer required for residential systems

Guidance: Allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements for residential systems that meet certain structural criteria. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

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

Guidance: City currently at best practice!

Initial Status: State and local laws protect property owner rights to install solar systems as well as solar access.

Guidance: City currently at best practice!

Initial Status: Sunnyvale Solar Access Ordinance promotes solar ready construction; state solar ready requirements

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Solar development addressed in draft Climate Action Plan and associated planning goals.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Municipal codes contain solar-friendly standards

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: All structures zoned to allow solar PV, but standards are subject to change to minimize adverse effe

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations on historic buildings do not adversely affect property owners' ability to install solar.

Initial Status: Has not adopted ordinance yet

Guidance: California Assembly Bill 2188 requires all local governments to adopt an administrative ordinance that creates a streamlined permitting process for rooftop solar systems <10kW that aligns with the best practices in the California Permitting Guidebook by September 30, 2015.

Initial Status: PACE financing available at state level, but no local program.

Action Taken: City now offering PACE for residential and commercial solar through CaliforniaFIRST

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of solar financing options available from local financial institutions.

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

Initial Status: No solar finance and evaluation resources provided

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: 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 such programs known to exist locally

Action Taken: City supporting CASE-SV

Guidance: Establish a working group of businesses and commercial property owners to leverage their solar purchasing power by aggregating facilities for solar evaluation and procurement to reduce energy costs while demonstrating community leadership.

Initial Status: City is exploring the feasibility of solar development at landfill and water treatment sites

Guidance: City currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: NOVA workforce program includes solar, but industry resources not available

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.