Chapter 027

2017 -- H 5575 Enacted 06/19/2017

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATEWIDE MUNICIPAL SOLAR PERMIT

Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Regunberg, Ruggiero, and Donovan

Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Title 45 of the General Laws entitled "TOWNS AND CITIES" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 6768

STATEWIDE MUNICIPAL SOLAR PERMIT

45-6768-1. Legislative purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a predictable and universal process for obtaining

a single permit that encompasses both building and electric permits for solar photovoltaic systems

with municipalities.

45-6768-2. Definitions.

When used in this chapter, these terms shall have the following meaning:

(1) "Commission" means the Rhode Island state building code commission;

(2) "Office" means the Rhode Island office of energy resources; and

(3) "Solar energy permit" means a standard application used by municipalities that covers

both the building and electrical permit aspects of a solar photovoltaic system installation.

45-6768-3. Renewable energy permit.

(a) The office, in consultation with the commission, shall promulgate and adopt rules and

regulations that will create a statewide solar photovoltaic permit application that municipalities

will be required to use beginning on January 1, 2018. The office's rules and regulations shall be

adopted no later than November 1, 2017.

(b) The office shall establish an advisory group for the purpose of creating a statewide

solar energy permit application form.

(c) The advisory group shall include the following members and may be expanded by the

office in its discretion, to include other personnel with experience and/or expertise in the area of

solar energy:

(1) A renewable energy developer with expertise in residential solar photovoltaic

installation;

(2) A renewable energy developer with expertise in commercial solar photovoltaic

installations; and

(3) Three (3) municipal officials with expertise in building and electric permitting

processes.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001352

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