Fall 2009

Municipal Solar Tool Kit

The California Energy Commission's Municipal Tool Kit is intended for review and use by a variety of local municipal officials and staff, including local planners, building and safety officials, city managers, city attorneys and elected officials. Additionally, this Tool Kit can be widely distributed, as there are many ways local government can help encourage developers to install solar on new highly energy efficient homes, and opportunities to support this effort can arise in multiple municipal departments.

This Tool Kit provides an array of strategies and options that local governments can implement to help encourage solar developments in their region. While some strategies require more resources than others, the Tool Kit provides a variety of options that can be tailored to meet the individual circumstances of each municipality. Some of these suggested strategies include: amending general plans, incentivizing energy efficiency measures and solar installations and educating local homebuilders about existing solar incentives.

This Tool Kit also contains an array of useful materials provided to support the implementation of the suggested strategies. These materials include: background information on the New Solar Homes Partnership; supporting materials on the benefits of combining energy efficiency features with solar energy; suggested local municipal strategies for encouraging solar installation; a builder outreach brochure; a recognition certificate for builders; sample model ordinances; sample text for press materials; and available resources and contact information.

The Tool Kit is available at the Adi Liberman & Associates Website.