PV Magazine
By Tim Sylvia
California State Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, has introduced a bill that would implement automated solar permitting in local jurisdictions with over 10,000 residents.
S.B.617, the Solar Access Act, would allow for remote inspections and approvals of residential solar and solar-plus-storage systems, greatly decreasing approval times, cutting permitting costs for local governments and homeowners, and helping California meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals through an easier installation process.
S.B.617 is co-sponsored by SPUR, a California nonprofit focused on logistical solutions for large cities, and Environment California. Assemblymember David Chiu is a principal co-author of the bill, and Sen. Josh Becker San Mateo and Assemblymember Robert Rivas are co-authors.