BB&K In The News

Attorney Warren Diven Writes About Solar Assessment Districts

By Warren Diven

California has an abundance of sunshine, making solar energy a plausible energy generation option for many of the state’s residents and businesses. But with the cost of adding solar panels to a home or business at approximately $30,000 or more, unfortunately, not everyone who wants solar energy can afford it. Realizing that cost is a major factor when deciding whether to upgrade a property to be more energy efficient, the state passed a bill that helps with the affordability issues.

Assembly Bill 811, passed in September 2008, gives all California cities and counties the ability to offer low-interest loans to homeowners and commercial property owners for energy efficient projects and solar panels. The loans are offered through “sustainable energy financing districts” (also called solar or energy assessment districts) that are established by cities and counties.

These districts offer loan programs that are user-friendly in that property owners are not strapped with large down payments or high interest rates.

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