Berkeley charted new territory with its innovative "sustainable energy financing district". However, questions about the legality of the program have hampered efforts to get other cities to adopt similar measures. That obstacle has been removed with the governor's signing of AB811
Berkeley and Palm Desert may be poles apart when it comes to politics. But the two cities are pioneering a new path to solar energy.
Pushed by these unlikely municipal bedfellows, California on Monday enacted a law that allows cities and counties to make low-interest loans to homeowners and businesses to install solar panels, high-efficiency air conditioners and other energy-saving improvements.
Participants can pay back the loans over decades through property taxes. And if a property owner sells his home or business, the loan balance is transferred to the next owner, along with the improvements.
