The Davis Enterprise
Davis earns Gold Award for commitment to solar
05/01/2017
SolSmart Designees
Davis
California
- Hosts an active energy task force (Natural Resources Commission) that meets regularly to discuss renewable energy and air quality, among other things
- Provided Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for eligible properties
- Created an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers
- Reviewed local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
- Allowed solar by-right accessory use in all zones (so solar installations don’t require special permits or hearings)
- Cross-trained both inspection and permitting staff on solar PV
- Provided a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems
Nearly 3,000 total homes in our community now have rooftop solar, making Davis one of the highest per-capita solar production communities in the nation. In order to sever our reliance on greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuels, we need to build a deeper relationship with the sun. In 2010, we set a goal to produce 5 percent of the peak electricity used in Davis — 2.6 megawatts — from local renewable energy sources by 2015. We exceeded that goal by approximately 10 times.
- Robb Davis, Mayor
