County Supervisors lower solar fees

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted in January to cut solar permitting fees by half for residents in unincorporated areas of the county.
The unanimous vote came after several months of discussion, and implements a $250 fee for solar permits and inspections, along with a streamlined approval process. The County has developed a series of standard photovoltaic plans for use at the Planning Department or with online application submittals. It has also created a dedicated email for solar permit applications.
“This initiative is about increasing renewable energy, supporting local green jobs and making the permitting process easier,” said Supervisor Ryan Coonerty, who initiated the changes.
The vote makes the County more competitive with other jurisdictions and encourages the expansion of residential solar panels. It comes the same week that the California Public Utilities Commission voted against steep hikes on solar fees sought by the utility industry.
In 2013, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Climate Action Strategy that calls for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The County, along with governments throughout the CentralCoast, is also participating in an exploration of community-choice energy, which would give local residents greater control over their environmental footprint.
For information, go to www.sccoplanning.org or email

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