According to theSan Francisco Chronicle, David Chiu, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, is proposing legislation to mandate that all new buildings in the city contain solar panels, rooftop gardens, or both. The resolution, calledSolar Vision 2020, would form a permanent program (extending the work of the pilotGoSolarSF) to help building owners pay to install solar arrays, set a goal of doubling the city’s solar energy production, and install 2 megawatts–worth of panels on residences citywide each year.
“Many landlords have told me that if we just had the right financing mechanisms, they’d be interested in doing this,” he told theChronicle.
In addition to the local plans, a statewide bill called theSolar Permitting Efficiency Act—which would streamline the permitting processes around solar power and save customers up to $1,000 each—has passed the legislature and is now waiting for Governor Jerry Brown’s signature. Meanwhile theCalifornia Solar Initiativeand theFederal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Creditboth provide rebates to would-be solar energy installers.
In Los Angeles, the Department of Water and Power offers theSolar Incentive Program, which provides rebates on photovoltaic installations, and supportsGo Solar LA, established to reduce customers’ cost of installing solar PV systems.
