Marin County's Energy Conservation Code is designed to assure new subdivisions provide for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities in the subdivision to the extent feasible. Streets, lots, and building setbacks must be designed so that habitable buildings are oriented with their long axis running east to west (with a possible variation of thirty degrees to the southwest and thirty degrees to the southeast) for the purpose of solar access. The planning director or planning commission may require solar access easements or restrictive covenants to protect solar access.

Although the California Solar Rights Act of 1978 requires local governments to plan for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities in new residential construction, and the California Shade Control Act protects solar systems from shading by vegetation, current state and local laws do not protect installed solar energy systems from shading caused by structures. The County of Santa Cruz has developed a process for registering solar energy systems to provide additional protection to solar energy system owners.

The County's Building Regulations Code requires that any obstructions of solar access to a registered solar energy system be mitigated to

The County of San Diego has established zoning guidelines for solar electric systems of varying sizes in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Photovoltaic (PV) systems which have their electricity consumed onsite are considered an accessory use in all zone types and are generally permitted as long as they meet the height and setback requirements. PV systems which generate power for offsite use and are located on parcels of land not larger than 10 acres may be allowed with an Administrative Permit in all zones. Applicable projects must follow the Administrative Permit Procedure and meet certain PV-specific requirements before

Before a development plan can be approved in the City of Santa Cruz, it must be found that the orientation and location of buildings, structures, open spaces and other features of the site plan preserve solar access of adjacent properties. In addition, buildings and structures should be designed and oriented to make use of natural elements such as solar radiation, wind and landscaping for heating, cooling and ventilation. Developers must also show that heating systems for hot tubs and swimming pools are solar when possible, and in all cases, energy efficient. The orientation and location of the fence or hedge

The County of San Diego has a Green Building Incentive Program designed to promote the use of resource efficient construction materials, water conservation and energy efficiency in new and remodeled residential and commercial buildings. As part of the program, for qualifying resource conservation measures, the County will reduce building permit and plan check fees by 7.5% and grant expedited plan checks. To qualify for these conservation incentives, the project must comply with the program requirements for either natural resources conservation, water conservation, or energy conservation

Other rebates and incentives may be available to those building greener and more efficient homes

In 2003, the Town of Chapel Hill adopted a land-use management ordinance that includes prohibitions against neighborhood or homeowners association covenants or other conditions of sale that restrict or prohibit the use, installation or maintenance of solar-collection devices. This ordinance was adopted prior to North Carolina's statewide solar access law. Chapel Hill's ordinance provides stronger protection for solar energy systems than the state law.

The Town of Chapel Hill also places restrictions on maximum building height depending on the zoning. For lots in new subdivisions, structures shall be placed and arranged so as not to adversely affect adjacent property

NOTE: S.B. 2274, enacted in June 2022, shortens the RES to 2033, but with a target of 100% of electricity demand sourced from renewable energy. The final target created by the previous change, H.B. 7413, was 38.5% by 2035.

Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Standard (RES), established in June 2004, requires the state's retail electricity providers -- including non-regulated power producers and distribution companies -- to supply 100% of their retail electricity sales from renewable resources by 2033. The requirement began at 3% by the end of 2007, and then an increase of an additional 0.5% per year through

Minnesota Power offers a rebate for grid-connected solar-electric (PV) systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. Rebates are worth $0.29/kWh expected production in the system's first year of operation. The expected production is determined by using PV Watts, a publicly available tool developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and accounts for specific characteristics of the system's siting. 

Note: Incentive amounts offered through this program will step down over time based on participation rates.  See website above for the most recent incentive details.

Roseville Electric has implemented solar rebate programs in order to meet the three statewide goals in Senate Bill 1: to install 3,000 megawatts (MW) of distributed solar PV by the end of 2016, to establish an industry in which solar energy systems are a viable mainstream option in 10 years, and to place solar energy systems on 50% of new homes within 13 years. Photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 10 kilowatts (kW) are eligible to

Rebates will only be paid for approved systems installed by approved solar contractors according to the established technical requirements. All systems must conform to the utility's equipment and installation standards in order to qualify for a rebate. These standards include the use of pre-approved equipment; equipment warranty requirements; and the use of a program-approved, NABCEP-certified, and appropriately insured solar installer. Participants must meet a detailed set of home energy efficiency requirements in order to qualify for a solar rebate. Participants must also complete a solar education course to receive the rebate.

Renewable Energy Credits and other environmental credits associated with