It appears that California cities, specifically across the southland vary in their approach to building
permits and their fees for residential installation of solar energy.

According to a recent article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the Sierra Club examined permit
fees charged by southern California cities and found that cities in the San Gabriel Valley charge
up to three times the average for solar installations, as much as $1,600 such as in La Habra Heights
and San Gabriel.  Apparently, the average permit fee across southern California stands closer to
$470 for a solar system to get you green and to get you off the grid. 

Additionally, an article in the Orange County Register notes that cities charging less than $324 for
solar permit fees earn a "solar friendly city" designation from the Sierra Club, while those charging
more than $700 are said to be hindering the development of solar energy resources. The Register
also says that the move is expected to cost the cities and counties, but they expect to benefit from
the publicity as solar-friendly communities.

On the flip side of this coin, Seal Beach recently joined the ranks of cities in the state trying to promote
solar energy as a home investment by eliminating permit fees for local residents. The Seal Beach City
Council eliminated building permit fees for residential solar installation, fees that were as high as $550.
Other California cities, including Anaheim, Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach already have eliminated these
fees.

Also, a recent proposal by Santa Monica city officials to simplify the permit application process
to install photovoltaic panels has drawn concerns from solar advocates. The issue in question concerns
a section of a new city ordinance that would require solar energy equipment to be installed in a location
that is least visible from adjacent streets as long as it does not significantly increase cost and reduce
performance.

However, given the current economic conditions and the budgetary issues that cities and counties face,
it is surprising that there are communities that eliminated the fees given that the homeowners receive a
tax credit on the cost of the installation.  It appears that California cities and counties are figuratively
all over the board on their best and worst approaches to harnessing the sun.