Mayor Bates explained the value of the move; "A lot of people say, 'I�d love to go solar but I�m not planning to be here the rest of my life,' When they sell, they get the benefit. The new owner will take over the obligation. So, it�s a big giant win-win."
Please don't run to the city office planing to get a loan and have that Solar Power or Solar Hot water system On you roof or your yard yet. City will spend the next 6 to 8 months working out financial, legal and tax details and should have a proposal for final approval of the council by next summer. Cisco DeVries, Bates’ chief of staff who devised the municipal solar financing proposal, said the city hopes to start signing up homeowners by June 2008. The city will likely float a bond to obtain millions in bank financing to pay for the initiative.
Not only home and commercial building owners in Berkeley stand to win, there are others that supports Berkeley's Solar Power Initiative. Bates mentioned that other cities have approached him about replicating the initiative. The city also has the backing of utility PG&E, which itself if promoting green energy. The others, the solar industry has, not surprisingly, been enthusiastic about the program that promises to expand the market for solar panels and Solar Water heaters. Manufacturers, dealers and installers stand to gain.
Way to go Berkeley! and You can go here to learn more;www.cityofberkeley.info/sustainable
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