New Report Released On How California Cities & Counties Are Meeting AB 2188 Requirements

A new report has been released on how cities and counties in California are fulfilling this state’s AB 2188 requirements to adopt expedited permitting processes for residential solar installations. Specifically, the report shows about 70% of these entities have met minimum provisions.

Of note, the AB 2188 Implementation Report assesses adopted ordinances, levels of compliance and new permit application processes among this state’s 540 jurisdictions.

California flag shutterstock_376637839California is the first state to mandate streamlined solar policies across jurisdictions in an effort to reduce costs related to permitting, inspection and interconnection.

The law is viewed by many as a model for other states to set such policies for solar as well as additional clean energy technologies.

Report findings

Approximately just 386 cities and counties have enacted expedited solar permitting practices, with the majority (365) using a model ordinance provided by the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) through the Department of Energy SunShot Initiative’s Rooftop Solar Challenge.

The remaining jurisdictions have yet to adopt ordinances following the initial deadline of Sept. 30, 2015. For those wishing to dig deeper for compliance status, CSE has an online AB 2188 compliance map showing the current status of solar permitting act adoption in each jurisdiction.

 Other CSE resources include the California Solar Permitting Guidebook, online training, template documents and AB 2188 technical assistance for government officials and solar contractors.

As for report specifics, according to the Center for Sustainable Energy, this report assessed the implementation of AB 2188, which amended the Solar Rights Act (SRA) to update requirements under Civil Code Section 714 and require each local jurisdiction to pass an ordinance streamlining permitting for energy systems no larger than 10 kW AC nameplate photovoltaic (PV) or 30 kW thermal under Government Code Section 658505.5.

“This assessment reviewed statewide ordinance adoption and streamlined processes. Many jurisdictions adopted ordinances that meet minimum statutory substantial compliance requirements as well as implemented processes that substantially conform to the Guidebook. Many jurisdictions have not taken any action to either adopt an ordinance or streamline permitting processes. More work is required to fully implement AB 2188.”

Image via Shutterstock

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