Governor Signs New Solar Legislation   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: September 29, 2004 CONTACT : Craig Reynolds (916) 319-2008 Governor Signs Wolk's Solar Energy Legislation Bill makes it easier for installation of solar energy systems SACRAMENTO - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 2473 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk(D-Davis) this week. The bill will require cities and counties to administratively approve applications to install solar energy systems by issuing building permits, unless there is a specific threat to public health and safety. AB 2473 was a follow-up to last year's signed legislation, AB 1407. Both bills were in response to the unreasonable restrictions a few cities and counties throughout California have placed on the installation of solar energy systems for homeowners. "For the last two years I've sponsored legislation to encourage the installation of solar energy systems by taking away the unreasonable restrictions placed on those systems," commented Wolk. "Unfortunately, there are many instances in California of restrictions put on solar energy systems based on the aesthetics of the system. My bill will fix this." Barry Cinnamon, the President of Akeena Solar in Los Gatos, knows firsthand about unreasonable restrictions. He filed a lawsuit after the city of Los Gatos refused to finalize the building permit because three solar panels were partially visible from the street. "These restrictions have prevented many people from going solar -- and are even an issue for Akeena Solar's own commercial district roof in Los Gatos. Assemblywoman Wolk's leadership with her new Solar Rights Bill, AB 2473, will eliminate these NIMBY barriers and help get our state on the right energy and environmental path," commented Cinnamon. "Solar energy is important to our future - it enhances the reliability and power quality of the electrical grid, diversifies the state's energy supply portfolio, and makes the electricity supply market more competitive by promoting consumer choice," said Wolk. This weekend marks the Solar Homes Tour, a national event sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society. Locally, NorCal Solar will sponsor the Solar Homes Tour for Yolo County. The tour starts in Davis and allows participants to tour homes with solar energy systems and learn more about solar energy. For more information about the Solar Homes Tour, go to www.norcalsolar.org/tour/ davis/. Wolk's legislation, which was sponsored by the California Solar Energy Industries Association, will take effect January 1, 2005 and will be cost neutral to cities and counties.