Rooftop Solar Challenge IIPlanning Meeting

• What was accomplished in Phase I?• What are the plans for Phase II?• How can your municipality get involved?• Parameters and timeframes for Phase II

What is Go SOLAR Broward Rooftop Solar Challenge I?

• U.S. Department of Energy Grant• Broward County and 14 partner cities

collaborating to make solar rooftop systems easier, faster and cheaper for residents and businesses

Why is Browardtaking this Challenge?

1. Increase number of rooftop solar installations by reducing permitting costs

2. Promote an ePermit environment

Permitting 460 (216)Interconnection Process 110 (96)Interconnection Standard 100 (0)Net Metering Standard 100 (95)Financing Options 150 (-20)Planning and Zoning 80 (62)

Key Go SOLAR Accomplishments

• Financial options workshop and Best Management Practices• Zoning coordination– Model ordinance adopted by partners– Best Management Practices

• Net metering and interconnection Best Management Practices

• Online permitting system– Interlocal Agreement

• Marketing and Outreach• Go SOLAR Fest

Current process several weeks

Solar Contractor

Engineer Designs System

Apply in Person at City for Permit

Building Department

Review

Zoning Department

Review

Review Comments/Responses

Process

Go to City to Pay Fee and Obtain

Permit

Streamlined Permitting!

Proposed Process A Few Minutes

Solar Contractor

Apply & Obtain Permit Online

NEW Online Permit System Save Time: Apply online 24/7Save Money: Select pre-approved engineered designs – eliminate complicated plan review processOne Fee: Pay standard permit fee online

Interlocal Agreement• $552 permit fee– Includes BORA and other surcharges

• $50 reinspection fee• County has authority to issue permits under

Go SOLAR• City agrees to amend zoning regulations to

permit Go SOLAR issued permits without zoning review

Go SOLAR Fest

• 2-day event at Broward County Convention Center

• 1,225 attendees• 37 speakers• 54 exhibitors• Participation by Mayors and

Commissioners

Permitting Collaboration

• Coconut Creek• Dania Beach• Davie• Deerfield Beach• Fort Lauderdale• Hallandale Beach• Hillsboro Beach

• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea•Miramar• North Lauderdale• Oakland Park• Pompano Beach• Sunrise• Tamarac

Partnerships… Key to Success

Solar Industry

A Vision for Phase II

ROOFTOP SOLAR CHALLENGE II GOALS

• To build strong regional solar markets by rapidly deploying innovative, transformative, locally-generated solutions on a broad scale;

• To enable solar companies to more efficiently manage their labor, material and cash flows, and customer interactions by introducing process predictability and standardization at the local government level; and

• To increase affordability of residential and small-scale solar PV.

FinancingPhase I• Survey of Local Financing Options, Concerns and Barriers• Financing Workshop to discuss issues• Solar PV Financing Best Practices ReportLessons Learned

• Incentive programs demonstrate local PV demand• More financing mechanisms needed to help cover up

front costs• State legislation prevents using financing

mechanisms popular and effective in other areas of the Country

Financing• Phase II• Consider legislative barriers to financing• Create a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) District as

a mechanism to fund Solar PV installations• Work with local banks to improve access to Solar PV loans

Update: Broward County is working to develop a Turnkey Energy Efficiency Finance and Service Program. The approval of the vendor ranking and direction to begin negotiation is going before the County Commission tomorrow morning. Ygrene Energy Fund is the first ranked vendor.

ROOFTOP SOLAR CHALLENGE II

• Additional Potential Partners

• Alachua County

• Orange County

• Miami-Dade

• Sarasota County

• Monroe County

Your City’s Role

Your City’s RoleCollaborate with Broward County, Partner Cities and Counties to Implement Rooftop Solar Challenge II• Letter of Commitment• Market Maturity Indicators• Approve Interlocal Agreement• Approve Model Zoning Ordinance

Key City Staff

• Point of Contact• Building Official• Zoning Official• Public Information Officer

Benefits

• Become a “solar friendly” city• Provide expedited permitting for your

residents and businesses• Ready to use online permitting system• Educational information and training available

for your residents and businesses• Be part of a statewide initiative to advance

solar

Marketing & Outreach

What’s Next?

Your City’s Mayor HERE

Parameters and Timeframes

GUIDELINES

• $12 million available

• Broward request: $2 million

• Topic Area B: to streamline and standardize processes for solar market transformation at the state or regional level

• Period of performance: Two and a half years

• 20% match required

Grant Application: What do we need?

• Phase I Municipalities:– Letter of Support

• New Municipalities:– Letter of Commitment– Market Maturity Indicators

Letter of Support (Phase I partners)

• City letterhead

• Signed by Mayor

• One-page limit

• Municipality agrees to:

– Monitor Broward County’s new Go SOLAR permitting system and provide feedback

– Share your knowledge and experience with new partners

– Participate in networking meetings to further improve the regional market for residential and small-scale solar PV

Letter of Commitment (new partners)

• City letterhead and Signed by Mayor

• One-page limit

• Municipality agrees to make personnel available:– Point-person to coordinate implementation of Go SOLAR

permitting system and attend periodic stakeholders’ meetings

– Building Officials

– Planning & Zoning Officials

– IT staff to interface with municipal websites and educate staff

• In return, municipality will receive free software/access to Go SOLAR permitting system

Solar Market Maturity Indicators

• Questions about permitting and interconnection processes, planning & zoning practices, financing options

• Helps DOE evaluate progress pre- and post-award

• Results will be verified by independent solar providers

• Contact Alfred Reid for survey

Important Dates

Solar Market Maturity Indicators Feb. 22

Letters of Commitment/Support March 5

Submit application March 7

Awards announced May

Project begins Summer

Contacts

For more information:broward.org/gogreen/gosolar