This study shows that Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) implementation would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create local jobs, and have a substantial positive effect on the local economy. (Homeowners)

County of Sonoma General Services
Dalessi Management Consulting LLC
MRW & Associates

The Solar Implementation Plan (SIP) provides a plan to move Sonoma County forward and encourage widespread adoption of solar energy and energy efficiency concepts. This plan was created by a county wide team of 52 participants from all 10 jurisdictions. (Professionals)

This Plan presents a package of solutions that, when implemented as a large scale public works project, will meet Sonoma County’s goal for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2015. (Professionals & Homeowners)

This guidebook is designed to help local CA governments and their permitting agencies improve permitting of small solar PV systems. It is also designed to help building owners and solar installers navigate permitting as efficiently as possible. (Professionals & Building Owners)

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.

This report presents an expedited permit process for small-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems. The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) recommends that local jurisdictions use this process for awarding building permits to installers of small PV systems. (Professionals)

For CA counties, the streamlining guidebook is designed to incentivize and facilitate the rapid expansion of solar energy facilities while simultaneously protecting important agricultural lands and wildlife habitat areas. (Professionals)

In-depth information about planning, developing and launching a PACE program, and how existing programs are operating.

Roadmap to Group Purchasing for Jurisdictions

Best Practices Guide to Collaborative Solar Purchasing

Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network

Climate Change Initiative Implementation Reference Materials 

Environmental Protection Agency

Clean Energy Collaborative Purchasing Initiative

Department of Energy

Solar America Communities Guidebook for Local Agencies

Achieving Low-Cost Solar PV: Recommendations for Near-Term Balance of System Cost Reductions


Tutorial for local Goverments: How to use the California State Permitting Guide

California Solar Permitting Guidebook

 

Improving Permit Review and Approval for Small Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: This guidebook is designed to help local governments and their permitting agencies improve permitting of small solar PV systems. It is also designed to help building owners and solar installers navigate permitting as efficiently as possible. Practices recommended in this guidebook apply to permitting agencies of all sizes. The guidebook is also written for permit applicants with all levels of expertise.

 

Solar Energy Facility Permit Streamlining Guide

 

 The purpose of this guide is to (1) assist counties and local government agencies in understanding the statewide goals, policies and programs designed to expand SEFs and (2) to develop regulatory incentives that support the expedited processing of SEFs that avoid or minimize adverse impacts to important agricultural lands, scenic resources and sensitive habitats. In particular, this Guide has been drafted to assist local agencies in the development of zoning standards to facilitate permitting and provides additional guidance for larger scale SEFs that require approval of a use permit.