Commercial zoning for solar power company

Do zoning codes affect solar energy?

Zoning codes have a direct influence on the amount of solar energy installed in a community. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study found a strong correlation between higher levels of installed solar capacity per capita and references to solar in the local code.

Can a zoning ordinance provide guidance for solar installations?

Communities may include guidance for solar installations in design standards rather than a zoning ordinance. If design standards are developed outside of the zoning, they may not be as enforceable, but could still provide direction to developers about how solar energy systems could be installed on historic properties.

What are the best practices for solar and zoning?

SolSmart’s Best Practices Guidance for Solar and Zoning – Accessory Use This guide highlights the key components for organized, transparent, and consistent accessory use solar energy regulations for zoning or land use codes. A local government’s approach to zoning and development can have a significant impact on solar energy growth.

Does planning and zoning discourage solar energy growth?

When done right, planning and zoning can help facilitate the rapid expansion of solar energy, while balancing other development priorities in the community. However, many local planning and zoning approaches inadvertently discourage solar energy growth by increasing the time and expense required for solar installations.

What is model zoning?

Model Zoning for the Regulation of Solar Energy Systems for Massachusetts This document provides model zoning language and guidance to assist Massachusetts cities and towns in establishing reasonable standards to facilitate development of solar energy systems.

Should a local government webpage provide a set of solar permitting requirements?

Providing a set of requirements for the local solar permitting process (for both residential and commercial solar) on an easy-to-find local government webpage represents a major step toward overcoming informational barriers.