Solar Permit Waivers To Expire in City of Berkeley by kim

The City of Berkeley has waived fees for solar permits, primarily for single family and duplex residential installations since September 2008. This great solar advantage for Berekely residents will now come to an end.

The $25,000 Council appropriated for this purpose has been expended and the waiver will expire as of close of business on August 14, 2009. The permit fee waiver program “was designed to encourage the installation of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems by eliminating the cost of the base electrical and base plumbing permits. Waivers of base electrical and plumbing permit fees as well as other solar-related plan check and permit fees were provided to 151 applicants.”

With the expiration of this waiver program on August 14th, permits for residential solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installations will revert to their previous fee of $119.70 for a base electrical permit and $119.70 for a base plumbing permit. Commercial and multi-family solar electric plan check fees remain based on a fee of $152.00 per hour, plus the minimum electrical and/or plumbing permit fee of $119.70.

Despite the expiration of this great program, the City of Berkeley continues to “support and promote the use of solar and is committed to providing affordable solar permits to encourage clean, renewable energy.” The City of Berkeley also continues to have one of the lowest fee structures for solar permits throughout the Bay Area. Lets hope that this successful waiver program will only lead to more positive solar initiatives in the Berkeley area.

For more information: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=37848