City Committee to Review Solar Installation Process, Rate Structure

The Pasadena Municipal Services Committee will review the city’s solar system installations and permitting processes during its regular meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) and the Planning and Community Development Department will present information on residential solar systems, their impact on the power grid, and the current rate structure.

The presentation will highlight several improvements made since the last update, according to a memorandum from David Reyes, PWP’s Interim General Manager.

“We’ve streamlined the process for customers,” Reyes noted in documents prepared for the committee. PWP has eliminated the requirement for customers with systems exceeding 15kW to include the city as an additional insured on their property insurance, and now accepts electronic signatures.

The current solar rate structure will be discussed during the meeting. According to budget documents, Pasadena’s average system rate is $0.2349 per kilowatt-hour for fiscal year 2025, with net credit for excess power produced at $0.0174 per kilowatt-hour.

Officials will also address how Pasadena is handling the evolution of solar incentives. The city reached its cap on the original net energy metering program (NEM 1.0) in 2020 and has since adjusted its approach.

The presentation will cover the city’s requirements that solar systems be appropriately sized to offset a facility’s electrical needs, as mandated by the Pasadena Municipal Code.

PWP will discuss both benefits and challenges of solar integration with the city’s electrical grid. While advancing clean energy goals and reducing peak demand, PWP said excess solar power can cause voltage rise or overloading issues.

Officials said building permit processes have also been improved, with single-family residential roof-mounted solar systems eligible for expedited permitting under state law SB379. The city offers same-day permit issuance through its Solar Express and Over the Counter programs.

The Municipal Services Committee meeting begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber at Pasadena City Hall. It is open to the public.