CT HB06435

Requires each municipality to develop or amend a permitting process for residential solar photovoltaic systems (12 kilowatts or less capacity) by January 1, 2016, with effective date of October 1, 2015.

Municipalities must approve or disapprove permit applications within 30 days and may allow electronic submission of applications; review limited to whether systems meet municipal, state and federal health and safety requirements.

Municipalities must inspect installed systems within 30 days and may contract with third-party contractors holding Connecticut PV-1 limited solar electric contractor licenses; only one inspection required unless safety issues are detected.

Municipalities must disclose whether they use third-party contractors for inspections and associated costs; may require special use permits if systems fail to meet health and safety requirements.

Connecticut Green Bank must plan and host at least one training seminar by December 1, 2015 to provide guidance to municipalities on developing compliant permitting processes.