Solar Energy System Installation Applications in Pasadena Keep Climbing

The number of homes and businesses installing solar energy systems in Pasadena have been steadily increasing over the past few years, according to Pasadena Water and Power (PWP).

At the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee (MSC) on Tuesday, Kelly Nguyen, assistant general manager of power supply for the PWP said the number of applications started to climb since 2008.

“We get a couple hundred a year and it’s been steadily increasing.” 

“Right now for this year in 2023, the data that we have up to the middle of the year is at 300 and that’s only half the year and we are already getting pretty close to our peak for our last year,” said Nguyen.

Currently, PWP gets power from a variety of sources including coal, hydropower, natural-gas-fired generators, renewable energy such as solar and wind power, and power PWP purchases on the wholesale market. 

The city has been accelerating its transition to renewable energy sources in recent years. 

Last January, Pasadena adopted a resolution which sets a goal of sourcing 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030, earlier than the state target of 2045. 

The City Council is now studying the proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) which identifies multiple approaches to transition to the policy goal of sourcing 100% of Pasadena’s electricity from carbon free sources by the end of 2030.

To encourage more people to go solar, PWP recently streamlined the solar permitting and inspection processes. 

Last September 18, PWP also introduced the Pasadena SolarApp Express, a streamlined online application process, which helps expedite the solar installation process for single-family dwellings and ADUs.

“The system is now live and we have had several applications and permits issued through this online portal,” Ron Takiguchi, city building official from the department of planning and community development told MSC. 

The PWP website has also been updated with a new landing page, FAQs, revised application instructions, and updated links and attachments, making it easier for customers to navigate the solar program.

To view the solar application instructions and the benefits of solar electricity visit: https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/water-and-power/psi/