Solar energy systems.

Existing law creates the right to receive sunlight, which is referred to as a solar easement, and defines it to mean the right of receiving sunlight across real property of another for any solar energy system. Existing law defines a "solar energy system" for this purpose to mean either any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating, or a structural design feature of a building, including a design feature whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating. This bill would revise the definition of "solar energy system" to mean either of the above-described solar devices or features that is designed to serve one or more utility retail customers on the same, adjacent, or contiguous properties, as specified, and is not designed for procurement of electricity by an electric utility, as defined. The bill would include any structural design feature by eliminating the provision that it be a feature of a building. The bill would specify certain structural design features to be included in the definition, including solar racking, solar mounting, and elevated solar support structures, as specified, regardless of whether the feature is on the ground or on a building. Existing law prescribes and limits permit fees that a city or county may charge for a residential and commercial solar energy system and establishes definitions for this purpose. This bill would define "commercial permit fee" to mean the sum of all charges levied by a city, county, city and county, or charter city in connection with the application for a commercial solar energy system, including, but not limited to, a solar energy system that is installed on the property of multifamily housing that has more than 2 family dwellings. The bill would also revise the definition of "residential permit fee" to mean the sum of all charges levied by a city, county, city and county, or charter city in connection with the application for a solar energy system that is installed on the property of a single- or 2-family dwelling.