In Colorado permit fees can vary widely. “Homeowners in the city of Lakewood, Colorado are charged $761 in permit related fees when investing in a 3 kilowatt (kW) PV system for their home. In Aurora, Colorado permit related fees are $1,350 for a 3.2 kW system. Those costs are equal to several years of those investor’s energy savings. In contrast, Denver residents, installing the same size systems, pay a total of about $100, less than 3 months worth of energy savings.”
Solar energy investments, reducing fossil fuel use, have a positive financial effect on the government infrastructure demands. The renewable energy article also points out that not having to build tax-payer subsidized fossil fuel plants eliminates the security costs to protect these plants.
“Tax-paid subsidies that are currently being given to fossil fuel companies with $8-10 billion quarterly profits should be used to subsidize building permit fees for such projects and investments.” Hard to argue that point! See article at Renewableenergyworld.com
A grass roots effort by elementary school students in Foster City, California, paid off. The students came up with 20 ideas to help their city handle climate change. One idea was that too much electricity comes from coal burning plants, so solar panels are a good replacement. Installing solar panels in Foster City requires a $900 permit. The mayor, convinced by the student’s arguments, took the matter to the city’s council and the permit was reduced in half. The issue was reviewed again last year and the council eliminated the fee completely. See this San Francisco ABC7 broadcast.
