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Solar Panel Fees Vary Across Cities

August 1, 2006 | 6 Comments

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Bay area, California [Contra Costa Times] On a day when the power of the sun was all too evident, a survey of city permit fees showed that the cost of harnessing that energy can vary widely depending on where you live. In Walnut Creek, for example, a homeowner can get permits and inspections for an average solar panel for $65. Down the road in Danville, the same job would cost about $850, according to the survey by the San Francisco Bay chapter of the Sierra Club. ...the survey of solar permitting fees in four Bay Area counties found big discrepancies for essentially the same work and in spite of state laws that appear to require, or at least encourage, equal treatment.

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Full story by Mike Taugher

Solar Energy

6 Reader Comments

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1 of 6

paul-wilkins-3795

August 2, 2006

The rulers and regulators always want a piece of everything. Perhaps we should stop asking their permission?

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2 of 6

linda-beasley-51837

August 2, 2006

The fees charged should be minimal to encourage individuals to go solar. How much can it cost for a clerk to type up a permit?

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3 of 6

Danzavitz

August 2, 2006

Any fees relating to the installation and energy production from solar panels should be charged to the taxes recieved from the sale of non renewable energies, locally, state wide and nationally. If there is need for increasing tax revenue it should be carried by the non renewable energy companies.

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4 of 6

Jahvern

August 2, 2006

One step forward, TEN steps backward, Now that's progress!!

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5 of 6

yukon-levenson-18926

August 2, 2006

All energies are equal but some are more equal than others.
- Yukon's understanding of George Orwell

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kurt-newick-13298

August 8, 2006

Below is a web site that documents the work we are doing at the Sierra Club to lower solar permit fees. We have had good results to date (over a dozen cities have lowered the fees for solar power)! This web site has info that makes it easy for anybody to do the same thing in their community (sample letters to City managers, and a recipe on how to lower solar permit fees). I am leading an effort to take on all permitting authorities with high solar fees in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. If you want to help, send me an email at: KurtNewick@yahoo.com. Here is our web site:

http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/global_warming/gwec.htm

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