BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1534|
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 1534
Author: Bowen (D)
Amended: 6/13/02
Vote: 21
SENATE ENERGY, U.&C. COMMITTEE : 9-0, 4/23/02
AYES: Bowen, Morrow, Alarcon, Battin, Murray, Sher,
Speier, Vasconcellos, Vincent
SENATE FLOOR : 35-0, 5/2/02
AYES: Alarcon, Alpert, Battin, Bowen, Brulte, Burton,
Chesbro, Dunn, Escutia, Figueroa, Haynes, Johannessen,
Johnson, Karnette, Knight, Kuehl, Machado, Margett,
McClintock, Monteith, Morrow, Murray, O'Connell, Oller,
Ortiz, Peace, Perata, Polanco, Poochigian, Romero, Scott,
Sher, Soto, Torlakson, Vasconcellos
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not available
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.
Assembly amendments reinstate the existing standards
requirements and provide that the bill's provisions are in
addition to existing law.
CONTINUED
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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
another nationally recognized certification agency.
This bill requires solar energy systems to meet specified
standards. Specifically, the bill:
1. Specifies that solar collectors shall meet applicable
standards and requirements imposed by state and local
permitting authorities.
2. Requires solar energy systems to be certified by the
Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC)<1> or
other nationally recognized rating agency.
3. Requires installed solar energy systems to also meet
applicable safety and performance standards established
by the National Electrical Code, the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited
testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories,
and, where applicable, rules of the California Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) 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.
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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).
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) (unable to re-verify at time
of writing)
California Solar Energy Industries Association
California Alliance for Consumer Protection
NC:sl 8/28/02 Senate Floor Analyses
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SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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