City of Hanford, CA

Initial Status: General permit used for all projects

Guidance: Standard application is available for systems <10kW. Using common permit materials, such as checklists and standard plans, across a region reduces permit submittal errors among contractors.

Initial Status: Permit application form online

Guidance: City currently at best practice- building permit application online at http://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/depts/cd/building/permits/default.asp

Initial Status: Electronic submittal available

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: 1 submittal

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Process information online at City of Hanford's Building Division website.

Guidance: City currently at best practice. Consider posting the permit fee schedule in an easily accessible online location.

Initial Status: 2-5 business days residential, longer for commercial

Guidance: City is currently at best practice for residential permit process time. Consider avenues for reducing permit review and approval to fall within 5 business days for commercial solar projects.

Initial Status: Flat fee generally less than $200.

Guidance: City at best practice-- residential permit fee in compliance with state law.

Initial Status: Flat fee less than $300

Guidance: City at best practice-- commercial permit fee

Initial Status: Less than 1 business day

Guidance: City currently at best practice- inspection occurs within less than a business day of request.

Initial Status: Appointment window is AM or PM

Guidance: Provide an appointment window of 2 hours or less if possible. Provide real time updates prior to arrival so contractor is aware and prepared.

Initial Status: 1 permit inspection

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Accept solar standards from most recent code cycles

Guidance: City at best practice.

Initial Status: No local ordinance for solar rights and access

Guidance: Create local ordinances that go beyond the CA Solar Rights Act and Solar Shade Control Act, which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: No local ordinance for solar-ready construction standards

Guidance: Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require all new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready, which go beyond California's "solar zones" mandate in the 2013 Energy Code (Section 110.10). Starting July 1, 2014, the building codes will require certain new construction to pre-wire for solar.

Initial Status: Solar not addressed in planning documents.

Guidance: Integrating solar-friendly standards and guidelines into general plans, sustainability plans, and climate action plans, as well as broader local and regional planning efforts that support a growing market in the community.

Initial Status: No current solar-specific zoning ordinances

Guidance: Restrictive covenants must be appropriately minimized in order to maximize local opportunities to harness and benefit from solar energy.

Initial Status: PACE Financing not available; no working group established.

Guidance: Establish a working group to evaluate the potential of a PACE financing program for clean energy upgrades in your jurisdiction based on national examples by local municipalities.

Initial Status: Aware of limited number of solar PV loan/finance programs

Action Taken: Information uploaded/ linked

Guidance: Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.

Initial Status: ther finance tools

Action Taken: Information uploaded/ linked

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via webinars, marketing materials, or by providing links and information online.

Initial Status: No working group.

Action Taken: City was part of meeting to set up work groups on Feb 6th.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No working group.

Action Taken: City was part of meeting to set up work groups on Feb 6th.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No known solar installations at wastewater treatment plant.

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites.

Initial Status: No event or online resources

Guidance: Provide online access to training programs and resources for the installer community and potential workforce and organize an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding.

Initial Status: No event or online resources

Guidance: Help promote the availability of online tools and resources for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks.