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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />MARCH 18, 2013 <br />TITLE: <br />RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TWO- <br />YEAR EXTENSION OF THE SOLAR <br />PERMIT FEE WAIVER PROGRAM <br />r <br />CI Y MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />? As Recommended <br />? As Amended <br />? Ordinance on 1s` Reading <br />? Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />? Implementing Resolution <br />? Set Public Hearing For_ <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt a resolution authorizing a two year program to encourage solar installations by temporarily <br />waiving permitting fees. <br />DISCUSSION <br />For the past five years the City Council has adopted a fee waiver program to encourage solar <br />installations for both residential and commercial properties Citywide. The two primary uses of <br />solar energy include using the sun to heat water and/or to generate electricity. Both rely on <br />widely tested and proven technologies however, their application has been limited by the high <br />installation costs compared to potential cost savings. This dynamic continues to shift, however, <br />given the ever increasing cost of energy as well as various programs offered by both the State <br />and local utility companies incentivizing solar installations. Additionally, advances in solar energy <br />manufacturing technologies, as well as expanded markets for solar energy products are <br />continuing to improve the cost/benefit equation. <br />Prior to the adoption of the solar permit fee waiver in 2008, the city processed relatively few solar <br />energy projects (less than five projects per year). This number has increased substantially, and <br />in 2012, the City processed over 65 solar permit applications, a 30 percent increase from 2010. <br />This increase is consistent with growth in solar projects statewide as California leads the nation in <br />solar installations and in 2012 achieved a major milestone by installing over one Gigawatt of solar <br />capacity, enough energy to power 100,000 homes. <br />The City's review of solar energy projects involves both plan check and inspection services. The <br />amount of time required for these reviews depends primarily on the size and complexity of the <br />solar installation. For example, a passive solar water heater requires an average of one staff- <br />hour to review while a large commercial or industrial solar installation may require as many as ten <br />staff-hours. <br />55A-1