Solar Energy

In the Introduction to the city's General Plan, a guiding principle listed under Environmental Resources calls for new development to reduce energy and natural resource consumption through techniques including the use of solar generators (Item 11, p. I-26). In the Land Use Element, a goal of environmentally responsible development includes an objective of acheiving greater energy efficiency in building and site design, with an associated policy of promoting solar panels and renewable energy sources in all projects (Goal LU 7, Objective LU 7.1, Policy 7.1.2). Under a goal of environmental justice, the plan includes an objective of working with service providers to meet the needs of residents, with an associated policy of working with utilities, agencies, and renewable energy companies to remove barriers to renewable energy production (Goal LU 8, Objective LU 8.1, Policy LU 8.1.11). The Conservation and Open Space Element sets a policy of revising codes and ordinances to address energy conservation, in part by requiring solar orientation of buildings (Policy CO 8.1.3, part c). Under an objective of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, it includes a policy of supporting purchase of renewable energy for public buildings, incluing the installation of solar PV systems (Objective CO 8.2, Policy CO 8.2.3), as well as supporting installation of solar PV systems on public buildings (Policy CO 8.2.5). Under an objective of encouraging green building practices, the plan includes policies of encouraging prewiring new residential development for solar energy systems, on-site solar generation for retail and commercial buildings and their associated parking lots, and passive solar techniques in building design and construction (Objective CO 8.3, Policies CO 8.3.4, CO 8.3.5, and CO 8.3.6).