On April 7, Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation and a news release to proclaim the City of Mountlake Terrace a “Solar Community,” http://www.cleantechalliance.org/news/283412/Governor-Inslee-praises-Solar-Communities.htm. The proclamation means the city has been awarded recognition as a local government that is supportive of solar energy and installation of solar arrays using a simple, standard permitting process to help reduce permitting costs to homeowners. To date, the city has issued eight solar arrays permits.
Single-family homeowners can now obtain a permit over the counter when the proposed installation satisfies the solar array checklist items. A modest review and inspection fee applies. To date, the city has issued eight solar array permits. “Residential Solar Applications” are available online at: http://wa-mountlaketerrace.civicplus.com/177/Building-and-Fire-Permits.
The Northwest Solar Communities program joins local governments, utilities, and solar industry stakeholders from Washington and Oregon to bring down the cost of solar for homeowners by simplifying and standardizing permitting and interconnection, and support for planning and zoning. The various initiatives from jurisdictions have increased residential solar installations by nearly 500% since 2013.
The cities of Bellingham and Snoqualmie, along with the Regional Code Collaboration representing cities in King County were also recognized as “Solar Communities.” They join the existing Solar Communities of Bellevue, Edmonds, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Seattle.
The Snohomish County PUD continues to offer solar energy cash incentives to encourage installation of solar equipment. The PUD webpage describing the program is at: http://www.snopud.com/home/green/solarexpress.ashx?p=1207. For more information on solar energy, contact Senior Planner Edith Duttlinger at (425) 744-6279.
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