Solar power fees waived by Surprise

Solar power has become a hot topic among Arizona leaders, and Surprise is taking its own aggressive steps to encourage use of the alternative energy source.

Surprise will now waive both building-permit and plan-review fees for those residents and business owners wishing to install solar power systems.

"We feel it's a real incentive that will encourage the use of more solar technology throughout the city," Planning and Community Development Director Jeff Mihelich said.

The fee waivers could save a resident more than $200, Mihelich said. Cost of installing a system varies. A resident looking to install several solar panels to assist in water heating could expect to spend between $1,000 and $2,000, Mihelich said.

The larger the solar operation, the larger amount of money saved in fee waivers, Mihelich said. A business looking to install a large system could save more than $1,000.

The city initially had plans to waive fees for only the first 100 applicants, but the idea was scrapped in order to give everyone an opportunity.

Surprise City Council voted 6-0 on Sept. 25 to waive the fees for anyone interested. Though no residents have yet come forward since the vote, interest is high, Mihelich said.

More than 200 residents attended two solar educational forums held in September.

The hope is that resident interest will eventually lead a solar company to locate in Surprise. Surprise officials say a community that embraces solar could make for a better sales pitch.

"It just shows our commitment to the technology and makes it much more likely that a large corporation would locate here," Mihelich said.

Information: Surprise Planning and Community Development Department, 623-222-3000.

A crew from American Solar Electric installs solar panels on the roof of a home in Surprise.