BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1534|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1534
Author: Bowen (D)
Amended: 4/1/02
Vote: 21
SENATE ENERGY, U.&C. COMMITTEE : 9-0, 4/23/02
AYES: Bowen, Morrow, Alarcon, Battin, Murray, Sher,
Speier, Vasconcellos, Vincent
SUBJECT : Solar energy systems
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires solar energy systems
installed by property owners to meet the most current
standards for safety and performance, as specified.
ANALYSIS : Current law:
1. Provides that any covenant, restriction, or condition
contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or
other instrument affecting real property, that prohibits
or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy
system is void and unenforceable.
2. Requires solar energy systems to meet the standards and
requirements imposed by state and local permitting
authorities.
3. Requires solar energy systems to be certified by the
Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC), or
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another nationally recognized certification agency.
This bill deletes the existing standards requirements and
replaces them with the most current standards for solar
energy systems, which are established by the National
Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories,
such as Underwriters Laboratories.
This bill also requires solar energy systems to comply with
any applicable rules of the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) regarding safety and reliability.
Background
California is one of a number of states that have laws
encouraging homeowners to install solar systems to reduce
dependence on non-renewable energy sources, supplement
existing energy resources, and reduce air and water
pollution resulting from the use of fossil fuels.
California law protects solar access as a property right by
forbidding community associations from banning the
installation and use of solar panels and solar energy
systems through their Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions (CC&Rs).
This bill updates the existing law by requiring solar
energy systems installed by property owners to meet the
most current standards for safety and performance, which
are established by the National Electrical Code, the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and
accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters
Laboratories. The bill also requires these solar energy
systems to comply with any applicable rules of the CPUC
regarding safety and reliability.
Comments
Standards Update . The bill seeks to update the standards
established in current law, because the industry standard
has changed since the Legislature last updated the law in
1994 (SB 1553 (Alquist), Chapter 382, Statutes of 1994).
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Related legislation
SB 82 XX (Murray), Chapter 10, Statues of 2001-02 Second
Extraordinary Session, which requires solar energy systems
to be installed on state buildings, where feasible, and on
new state buildings constructed after December 31, 2002,
uses the same standards for safety and performance as
prescribed in this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/23/02)
California Solar Energy Industries Association
NC:sl 4/25/02 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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