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Consideration of request by Sustainability Manager for approval of a new annual permit fee waiver program to incentivize solar panel installation on residential and commercial buildings
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Submitted by:
Megan Conway, Sustainability Manager
Department:
Department of Public Works
A. Issue
In order to meet the goal of community carbon neutrality by 2050 adopted in the 2020 City of Wauwatosa Energy Resolution, renewable energy generation on privately owned residential and commercial buildings will need to significantly expand.
Between 2019 and 2024, Wauwatosa's community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have decreased nearly 20%, but there is still significant progress needed to reach the 2050 goal. In 2024, approximately 55% of community GHG emissions in Wauwatosa were from electricity use in residential and commercial buildings (Source: Wauwatosa Sustainability Committee 2024 Annual Report). Increased adoption of on-site renewable electricity through solar panel installation can substantially support the City's sustainability targets.
B. Background/Options
Solar energy development on residential and commercial properties supports Wauwatosa's goal of achieving community carbon neutrality by 2025. Continued expansion of existing residential and commercial solar will further reduce community GHG emissions, improve air quality, increase electricity grid resilience, and provide opportunities for residents and business owners to lessen energy costs.
In recent years, there has been steady but slowly increasing interest in solar energy, evidenced by permits collected for residential and commercial installation (see table below).
Year
Residential Permits
Commercial Permits
Total Permits
Total Permit Fees Collected
2022
19|10 10|20
$3,000
2023
25|1010|26
$3,900
2024
27|1010|30
$4,500
2025 (as of 4/9/25)
10|10 10
10|$1,500
Wauwatosa has already been recognized for leadership in solar energy through designation as a SolSmart community (link: https://solsm...
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