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SolSmart Designees
Palos Verdes Estates
California
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the City of Los Angeles, the South Bay region is home to pristine beaches and business parks, oil refineries and a nature preserve … and now eight new SolSmart designated cities! In 2019, eight communities and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments have all earned SolSmart designation for their cutting-edge work advancing solar energy, along with related technologies like electric vehicles (EVs).
Two cities earned SolSmart Silver designation: Hawthorne and Palos Verdes Estates.
These communities received no-cost technical assistance from the SolSmart team along with EcoMotion, a Los-Angeles based organization which served as the SolSmart Advisor for the region.

- 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