ABC Solar Inc urges Santa Monica to come into compliance with CA State solar laws

ABC Solar Inc urges Santa Monica to come into compliance with CA State solar laws

by Staff Writers

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 14, 2023

The failure of Santa Monica’s “Project Dox” has led Bradley Bartz, founder of ABC Solar Inc., to file a Notice of Tort Claim against the city, urging it to come into compliance with state solar laws. Bartz has been successful in getting other cities, including San Juan Capistrano, Los Angeles County, City of Pasadena, City of Redondo Beach, and others, into compliance with state solar laws. He believes that if red-tape is eliminated, Los Angeles could become the solar capital of the planet, with more roofs in more sun than anywhere else.

The Solar Rights Act was passed in California in 1978, providing citizens with the right to install solar energy systems on their properties. However, despite the state law, many cities are not in compliance with the Solar Rights Act, leading to delays and unnecessary red-tape for contractors like Bartz.

The Net Energy Metering (NEM) program was established to provide incentives for homeowners and businesses to install solar energy systems. NEM 2.0, which is set to expire soon, allows homeowners to receive credits for excess solar energy that they produce and export to the grid. NEM 3.0 will have different incentives, and homeowners who miss the NEM 2.0 deadline will be subject to the new program’s regulations.

Bartz has been successful in getting other cities into compliance with state solar laws, and he believes that if Santa Monica were to come into compliance, the city could lead the way in solar energy adoption. However, Bartz is not optimistic that Santa Monica will come into compliance without legal action.

The filing of Notices of Tort Claim against cities that are not in compliance with state solar laws is the first step in advocacy, as it puts cities on notice that they are not in compliance with the law and gives them an opportunity to come into compliance before legal action is taken.

ABC Solar Inc. is committed to providing the highest quality solar installations and excellent customer service. They believe that solar energy is the key to a sustainable future, and they will continue to advocate for policies that support its growth.

As Bartz files his Notice of Tort Claim against the City of Santa Monica, it remains to be seen whether the city will come into compliance with state solar laws or continue to hinder the growth of the solar energy sector.

The City of Santa Monica has been enforcing state law requiring solar for new construction. However, Bartz believes that the city is not in full compliance with these laws, which is the reason he has filed a Notice of Tort Claim against the city. He urges the city to enforce these laws with the intent of providing benefits for the community.

Bartz has previously filed Notices of Tort Claim against other cities regarding their non-compliance with state laws related to solar energy. He is proud to report that these cities have all come into compliance after his exhaustive efforts. However, Santa Monica is proving to be a more challenging city to work with.

The city has an automated system for citizen intake. This system is meant to facilitate the process of citizens submitting their complaints, suggestions, or requests. However, the system has been criticized for being unresponsive and failing to provide adequate feedback to citizens.

Bartz’s metaphor for Santa Monica’s out of compliance behavior is a tautology rollercoaster with no exit. “Getting Doxed by Project Dox” is the super red-tape hamster wheel that the City of Santa Monica puts citizens and contractors through. ABC Solar only works in the City of Santa Monica by special invitation from existing clients. Bartz knows that he will get the job done, but their current 6-panel solar permit has been stuck for over 100 days. This is for a state-mandated over-the-counter and must be issued solar permit.

The filing of a Notice of Tort Claim against the City of Santa Monica is not the first step that Bartz has taken in advocating for policies that support the growth of solar energy. He has been a vocal advocate for the adoption of solar energy in California, and he believes that the Solar Rights Act is crucial in ensuring that citizens have the right to install solar energy systems on their properties.

Bartz urges the City of Santa Monica to come into compliance with Gov Code 714 and CA Code 65580.5 and related state laws and to take immediate steps to address their concerns. He and his team are available to help the city fix their team and processes. Their 22+ years in the solar business could be a valuable asset for the City of Santa Monica.

ABC Solar Inc. is committed to promoting the use of solar energy in California and beyond. The company is recognized as a B-General and C-46 contractor and is licensed by the California State Contractors Board. They can be reached at [email protected] or 1-310-373-3169, and their CCL#914346.