City of Modesto, CA

MODESTO'S SOLAR ENERGY INFORMATION HUB

Find the latest resources and information available for installing solar power and expanding the solar market in the City of Modesto, whether you're a resident, business, installer or local government agency.

The City is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Transitioning to solar power not only provides environmental benefits like enhanced air quality, but it also delivers a host of economic benefits from green job creation to market development. Below, there is a direct link to the City's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to "go solar".

Modesto is a part of the San Joaquin Valley region.

Community Profile

Local popuation, per 2010 census data (available at http://www.census.gov/popfinder)

201,165 population

The state goal for electricity production from renewable energy sources

33% renewables by 2020

37 square miles

Residential Solar Potential

Upgrade to LEADER plan to display your community's solar potential.

Roadmap

The SSTI team has worked in close coordination with the City to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing guidance on how to transform the local solar market. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, examples, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.

Permitting Process

1 of 9 Goals In Progress
8 of 9 Goals Achieved

89%

[P2] Make Permit Application Form Available Online(176)

Initial Status: Permit application form online

Guidance: City currently at best practice- permit form available online at http://www.modestogov.com/forms/pdf/bds_permit-app.pdf

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[P4] Require only 1 Permit Application Submittal(164)

Initial Status: 1 submittal

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Take Action

[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)

Initial Status: Comprehensive process information online

Guidance: City currently at best practice- process information available online at http://www.modestogov.com/development/permits/general.asp

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[P6] Streamline Permit Processing Time and Allow Expedited Process for Qualifying Projects(75)

Initial Status: 2-5 business days residential, 5-10 business days commercial. OTC review available for residential p

Guidance: City currently at best practice for residential permits. Consider any options for reducing commercial permit review and approval to be within 5 business days.

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[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(85)

Initial Status: Residential permit fee of $262, based on cost recovery

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)

Initial Status: Commercial permit fee of $864, based on deposit

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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[P9] Minimize Inspection Turnaround Time(147)

Initial Status: Within 1 business day

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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[P11] Require only 1 Inspection Visit(82)

Initial Status: 2 inspections

Action Taken: 1 permit inspection for residential projects.

Guidance: City currently at best practice for residential projects.

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[P14] Understand New Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes(82)

Initial Status: Accept solar standards from most recent code cycles

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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Planning & Zoning

2 of 3 Goals Achieved

67%

[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(66)

Initial Status: Solar development not directly addressed in General Plan.

Guidance: Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.

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[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)

Initial Status: Solar-friendly zoning ordinances and regulations

Guidance: City currently at best practice- recent update to zoning code protects solar access.

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[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)

Initial Status: No ordinances creating a barrier to solar

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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Financing Options

2 of 2 Goals In Progress

100%

[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)

Initial Status: Not aware of nor publicizes any solar PV loan/finance progra

Action Taken: Brad looking into the progress on the city's PACE program adoption.

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

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[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)

Initial Status: Not aware of nor publicizes any other solar PV finance progr

Action Taken: Brad looking into the progress on the city's PACE program adoption.

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.

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Solar Market Development

1 of 2 Goals In Progress

50%

[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)

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.

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[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)

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.

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