Redwood City, CA
REDWOOD CITY'S SOLAR ENERGY INFORMATION HUB
Find the latest resources and information available for installing solar power and expanding the solar market in Redwood City, 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".
Redwood City 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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4 of 14 Goals In Progress 13 of 14 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P1-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Use Standard Permit Application Materials Specific to PV Systems(32)
No standard permit application form for solar PV projects
Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects under 10kW.
[P2] Make Permit Application Form Available Online(176)
Building permit application form online, but not solar PV specific
City currently at best practice - permit application form available online. If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online in an easily accessible location.
[P3] Allow Electronic Submittal of Application Form(87)
Electronic submittal of application form available
City currently at market best practice - electronic submittal available.
[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(164)
One submittal for residential projects and two submittals for commercial projects
One submittal for residential and 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 online
City currently at market best practice - permit and inspection process and fee information online.
[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(75)
Within 3-5 business days where no fire inspection is required; OTC review available for residential.
City currently at best practice.
[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)
Within 2 business days
City currently at market best practice - inspection turnaround time is less than two days.
[P10] Offer Convenient Inspection Scheduling(94)
2 hour appointment window
City currently at market best practice - two hour appointment window given for inspection.
[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(82)
Single inspection for residential projects; commercial projects require additional fire inspection.
Single inspection for residential projects, and 99% of commercial projects.
City currently at best practice.
[P12-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Adopt an Inspection Checklist(13)
A standard inspection checklist for PV systems is not currently used
City has a standard inspection checklist for PV
City currently at best practice.
[P13-CA] (AB2188 Mandate) Allow a Structural Exemption for Qualifying Systems(26)
Approval from structural engineer not required for residential systems.
City currently at best practice.
[P14-CA] Understand New California Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes (Title 24)(55)
Building department has adopted most recent solar standards
City currently at best practice.
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1 of 3 Goals In Progress 2 of 3 Goals Achieved |
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[Z1] Pursue Protection for Solar Rights and Access(72)
State laws provide limited protection for solar rights and solar access, but no local ordinance
City 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.
[Z2-CA] Develop a Local Ordinance that requires Solar Ready Construction(15)
No solar specific ordinances for construction.
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready (i.e. solar zone on roof, pre-installed conduits, space for inverter, spare breaker space in electrical panel for solar interconnection).
[Z4-CA] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive, Energy or Climate Action Plans(45)
Solar development goals in Climate Action Plan: 900 kW at municipal facilities by 2020
City currently at best practice.
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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)
PACE financing available for commercial, not available for residential.
PACE financing available for residential through HERO program
City currently at best practice.
[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
Competitive loan and financing programs available.
Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Minimal awareness of solar finance options and solar evaluation tools available to home and business
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.
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3 of 6 Goals In Progress 3 of 6 Goals Achieved |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No such programs known to exist locally
City participating in Solarize program in the region
City currently at best practice.
[M2] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Commercial Sector(6)
No such programs known to exist locally
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.
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
Jurisdiction is participating in a regional collaborative procurement initiative.
City currently at best practice.
[M6] Explore Installing Solar at Municipal Facilities, Including Landfill and Water Treatment Facilities(62)
Working on municipal solar project on Red Morton Community Center
City at best practice.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
Limited awareness of these resources locally
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.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
Limited awareness of these resources locally
Help promote the availability of online tools and resources for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks.
Resources
For detailed permitting info, visit this jurisdiction's record at SolarPermit.org here: http://solarpermit.org/jurisdiction/redwood-city-ca/