There was legislation that passed in Vermont in May 2011 and Colorado in June 2011 making it easier and cheaper to install residential solar systems. We support adopting similar legislation in Hawaii in the belief that it will add substantially to Hawaii State’s goal to achieve 70% clean energy by 2030.
Links to the relevant Acts are listed below and a copy of the simple permitting process is attached.
sincerely,
Graham
links:-
<http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/Acts/ACT047sum.htm>
<http://blog.syndicatedsolar.com/bid/59801/Fair-Permit-Act-Colorado-Solar-Permitting-Fees-Limited>
Do the VT or CO or other models elsewhere also deal with permitted off-grid alternative energy system installations?
Do they address owner-builder installations for grid-tie and/or off-grid?
Obviously utilities are going to be (and should be) picky about what gets connected to their grid (speaking of which, what will it take for us to get a co-op utility like Kaua’i has, pushing far ahead of all other islands in promoting alternatives and renewable sources?)
However if there’s no grid connection, then what?
At present, if the building is to be permitted, the household AC wiring has to be permitted, and thus has to be done by a licensed contractor (which brings us back to issues of allowing competent owner-builders to do their own electrical work).
And, if an alternative energy system is to be connected to the permitted household AC wiring, that system has to be permitted, which at present requires a licensed electrical engineer design/approval and installation by licensed contractor.
So even when there is no grid-tie, a competent owner-builder is not allowed to legally install their own alternative energy system, increasing cost and limiting their ability to design a system that suits their particular budget and/or needs.
Just wondering if any of this is addressed by what is being proposed.
Not to diminish that what is being looked at is valuable!
cheers,
John S.