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Atherton rethinks solar energy fees

by Andrea Gemmet

It's going to be cheaper to go green in Atherton. The permit fees for installing solar energy-producing photovoltaic systems will drop to $250, thanks to a May 17 decision by the City Council.

Kurt Newick of the Sierra Club's Loma Prieta chapter asked the council to consider lowering or waiving its fees, saying that a recent study by the organization showed that Atherton had the eighth highest permit fees out of 40 jurisdictions surveyed.

"Solar fees are way out of whack," Mr. Newick said, adding that a $200-$300 fee should cover the actual cost of reviewing plans and inspecting photovoltaic systems.

Atherton bases its fees on the value of the project, said Building Official Mike Hood. For $27,000 photovoltaic system, Atherton was charging $970 in fees, he said.

In the past year, there were only two applications for grid-tied solar energy systems in Atherton, Mr. Hood said. Up until recently, most solar permits were for systems designed to heat swimming pools, he said.

Mayor Charles Marsala and Councilman Jim Janz advocated eliminating the solar permit fee altogether, but failed to get a majority of council members' support.

Councilwoman Kathy McKeithen argued that since it costs the town several hours of staff time to process the permits and inspect the photovoltaic systems, it would be unfair to eliminate the fee.

"The cost should not be borne by other people," she said. "The fee should be minimal, and in direct relation to the actual cost to the town."

The decision to set a flat fee of $250 passed on a 5-0 vote.

Other towns

While several municipalities, including Los Altos Hills, offer free solar power permits, Portola Valley has the lowest permit fee — $50 — on a Sierra Club cost-comparison list.

However, Woodside's fee is actually lower, said Town Manager Susan George. It's only $30, and it has been since 1995, she told the Town Council at its May 9 meeting.

The Woodside fee on the Sierra Club list — $700 — is actually the town's roofing permit fee, she said.

To view the Sierra Club study, go to lomaprieta.sierraclub.org.