Some people are thinking twice about installing solar power systems in their residences and businesses, because of the high solar power permit fees that are being collected by local agencies. A school, company or a factory wanting to go green might be dismayed to find out the charges they have to pay.
According to a recent survey among the cities in San Mateo, Alameda, and Santa Clara counties, the solar permit fees vary from city to city. This might be something that the federal or state governments should look into. Solar power must be made available for everyone, but with costs that can go as high as $11,737 in the case of Cupertino for medium sized solar systems, most individuals and businesses are turned off from it.
The fees collected are typically for solar panel inspections. According to the survey done by the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, the fees vary and there are a number of reasons stated for the said fees. The fees are imposed by the city’s building inspector.
Among the cities in the area, Cupertino, Daly City, and Emeryville collect the most expensive fees around. For a commercial medium-sized solar power system in Daly City, the fee is $8,426, while in Emeryville, it is $9,543.
Businesses in Hillsborough, Foster City, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, and Belmont are not charged for solar installations at all. If these cities can do it, then why can’t all the cities do away with the fee altogether? This will make solar power system more attractive to everyone, especially small and medium-scale businesses. Solar power systems will be a more cost-effective energy source.
To date, only a handful of Bay Area businesses have solar power systems installed. Cities should be encouraged to lower their permit fees, so that businesses will seriously think of going green. The federal government is issuing rebates and other forms of bonuses for going green, and city governments should be on the same page on this issue.
Once solar power becomes more affordable than fossil fuel, businesses will switch to it. Commercial buildings consume around 18 percent of the country’s total energy output. If that amount of energy begins to be drawn from solar power, there will be a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants.
After the survey, some cities reduced their solar panel permit fees. The most notable one being Berkeley, which decreased its fees from $4,750, down to $120. East Palo Alto also reduced its fees, from $11,500 to $6,019, although this is still a big number.
You can view the complete list of Commercial Solar Power Fees here.
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I totally agree with this because i just thought that the solar power is should be free because of the main source of energy was the sunlight. With some people argument, why would I choose a solar power when the cost will be the same as the normal electricity we used in our home. People should really think twice about this and should be wise in choosing because we only want to save some money and not to spend more.
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