solar energy

The city's Coastal Zoning ordinance provides solar energy system design standards intended to incorporate solar into residential neighborhood design, protect systems from shading, and ensure conformance in appearance to the surrounding neighborhood (Sec. 17-46.D). Solar collectors must be roof-mounted in the least visible feasible location, appurtenant equipment must be installed in the attic or screened, and exterior surfaces must have a matte finish and be color-coordinated with the structure. The code also provides for solar access protection, prohibiting structures or vegetation from shading more than 10 percent of the absorption area of a solar energy system at any time (Sec 17-46.E).