Rhode Island is now one of only two states in the country that has streamlined and standardized its solar permitting process to the benefit of its citizens and the planet.
Governor Gina Raimondo recently signed landmark legislation (S.0562) creating a common process for the application, review and awarding of building and electrical permits for solar. The process will be used by every city and town in Rhode Island starting in January.
Right now, installers like New England Clean Energy deal with hundreds of permitting processes, because each city and town sets its own. This creates an administrative burden that slows the process of going solar for installers and, more important, homeowners and businesses looking to save with solar.
Vermont is the other state with a standardized solar permitting process. New York and California have the next best thing, offering standardized permits that local governments can adopt.
Speaking of Rhode Island becoming a leader in the renewable energy movement, this article by ecoRI News reports that the state has been ranked third in the country for solar-energy friendliness. That’s up from 15 last year, proving what a few good solar policies can do.
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