Palos Verdes Estates

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.

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Going Solar in California’s South Bay

• 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