Solar PV Ordinance

Learn about the Bay Area Solar Photovoltaic Ordinance Toolkit.

The Bay Area Solar Photovoltaic Ordinance Toolkit, a project of the Bay Area Regional Collaborative* and the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN)**, provides guidance for Bay Area cities and counties that are interested in requiring solar photovoltaic, or PV, systems on new single-family and low-rise multifamily residential units.

This effort supports the Bay Area’s 2017 Clean Air Plan, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the building sector to near zero by the year 2030. Working in coordination with the California Energy Commission, this Toolkit walks the user through the process of adopting a basic solar photovoltaic ordinance, and provides the support documents necessary to streamline approval with no additional analysis required.

Bay Area Solar Photovoltaic Ordinance Toolkit:

  1. Toolkit Overview
  2. User Guide and Glossary
  3. The Bay Area Solar PV Ordinance
    1. Instructions for the Bay Area Solar PV Ordinance
    2. Ordinance Template
  4. The Cost Effectiveness Study
    1. Using the Toolkit’s Cost-Effectiveness Study
    2. Cost Effectiveness Study
  5. Getting the Ordinance Adopted
    1. Local Adoption Process and State Approval
    2. Staff Report Template
    3. State Transmittal Letter Template
  6. Outreach Package
    1. PowerPoint Presentation Template
    2. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. Program Support
    1. Technical Assistance
    2. Resources

A complete, printable version of the Solar PV Toolkit is also available to download.

A kick-off webinar to launch the Toolkit was held September 22, 2017. The slide presentation with talking points is available for download.

Local governments that are interested in receiving additional resources to accelerate the installation of solar rooftops in their communities, please contact:

Vijay Kesavan at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
vkesavan@bayareametro.gov

NOTES

*The Bay Area Regional Collaborative coordinates the planning efforts of the Air District, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

**BayREN is a collaboration of the nine Bay Area counties and implements energy efficiency programs across the region.

Contact Us

Abby Young
Manager, Planning and Climate Protection

415.749.4754 ayoung@baaqmd.gov

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Last Updated: 2/21/2018