Solar industry warns proposal limiting rooftop solar on moderate slopes would hurt installers

Gavin Tennold, speaking for the Washington solar industry association, told the State Building Code Council listening session that proposal 187 would “greatly hamstring our industry's ability to keep jobs, keep people employed, and continue to do the important work that we're doing.” Tennold said most of the association’s installer members are small businesses and that the proposal’s restriction on solar requirements for commercial roofs with slopes steeper than 2:12 could limit projects and employment.

Council members asked Tennold whether he could quantify how often commercial roofs exceed the 2:12 slope threshold and how many small solar installers operate in the state. Tennold said he would follow up with written comments and data because he had only just learned of the listening-session opportunity. Council members encouraged written testimony, noting that the SBCC economic impact questionnaire and email submission are acceptable.

Tennold also raised concerns that the proposal could transfer costs or reduce solar deployment on affordable-housing developments. No formal vote or action occurred; the session recorded oral testimony to inform the council’s cost-benefit and small-business economic impact analyses required under the state rulemaking process.

The council staff reiterated deadlines for written submissions ahead of the CR-102 filing and said written comments will continue to be accepted through the close of the public-comment period in November. Tennold said he would submit follow-up material for the council to consider during the upcoming economic-impact work group meeting.