PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Gov. Gina Raimondo has signed legislation designed to make it easier for people to install rooftop solar panels.
The Democratic governor this week signed into law a proposal that creates a statewide solar permitting process. Towns and cities will have to start using the new permit applications in January.
The state Office of Energy Resources had recommended streamlining a process that can vary by municipality. It said a statewide permit will provide predictability of costs and reduce the amount of time installers spend acquiring permits.
Installers have had to get separate electrical and building permits regardless of a solar project’s size. The cost of solar equipment has dropped over the past decade but the energy agency says that “soft” costs- such as permitting and interconnection -have remained high.
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