Division V. Solar Utility
Chapter 13.72
REGULATIONS
Sections:
13.72.010 Established – Intent.
13.72.030 Solar leasing company – Permit required – Fees.
13.72.010 Established – Intent.
It is the intent of this chapter to establish a municipal solar utility within the city for the purpose of facilitating the direct leasing of solar energy equipment and to establish regulatory authority for any solar leasing operation that may be conducted under the program. (Ord. 82-468 § 2).
13.72.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them by this section:
A. “Leasing company” means any person advertising, marketing, placing, installing or maintaining solar energy devices pursuant to a leasing agreement.
B. “Municipal solar utility (MSU)” means any program conducted by a local government or its authorized agent to promote the utilization of renewable energy and energy conservation technologies through educational, consumer protection or financial assistance programs.
C. “Solar energy device” includes equipment and materials that are intended to be located on, or affixed to, real property that uses solar energy directly to (1) heat or cool a building or structure, (2) provide domestic hot water or hot water for recreational or therapeutic uses, (3) provide process heat or mechanical energy or generate electricity.
D. “Solar lease arrangement” means a contract between a lessee and an investor for the leasing of solar energy devices owned by the investor and leased and possessed by the lessee, which is affixed to or located at and servicing the real property owned or operated by the lessee. (Ord. 82-468 § 3).
13.72.030 Solar leasing company – Permit required – Fees.
A. No person shall operate a certified solar leasing company under the MSU program of the city as established herein without having obtained a valid solar leasing permit from the city. Such a permit shall authorize the conduct of solar leasing operations under the MSU program for a period of three years and shall be renewable. After the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, and within 60 days after receiving the first written request from a leasing company for a solar leasing permit, the city council shall by resolution establish all requirements for obtaining certification under the MSU program. Such requirements shall be limited to those which protect consumers against inexperienced or financially unstable leasing companies, substandard equipment or installation practices or unfair lease arrangements.
B. Reasonable fees shall be determined to cover the cost of administering this chapter and may be established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 82-468 § 4).