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<br />17 <br /> <br />Solar Resource Calculations <br />Table 2 displays Little Canada’s gross potential and rooftop potential for solar. The gross solar <br />potential and gross solar rooftop potential estimates are based on the Gross Solar Potential map <br />above. These calculations estimate the total potential resource before removing areas that are <br />unsuitable for solar development. Gross generation potential and gross solar rooftop generation <br />potential estimates how much electricity could be generated using existing solar technology. <br />According to the Metropolitan Council, for most cities, the rooftop ge neration potential is <br />equivalent to between 30 and 60 percent of a community’s total electric energy consumption. To <br />be noted, there is no minimum amount of solar resource development required for cities in the <br />Metropolitan Area. <br /> <br />Table 2: Little Canada’s Gross Solar Potential (Megawatt Hours per Year) <br />Gross Potential <br />(Mwh/yr) <br />Rooftop Potential <br />(Mwh/yr) <br />Gross Generation <br />Potential (Mwh/yr)2 <br />Rooftop Generation <br />Potential (Mwh/yr)2 <br />5,225,776 611,196 522,577 61,119 <br />Metropolitan Council Notes: <br />• In general, a conservative assumption for panel generation is to use 10% efficiency for <br />conversion of total insolation into electric generation. <br />• The rooftop generation potential does not consider ownership, financial barriers or <br />building-specific structural limitations. <br />Source: Metropolitan Council, University of Minnesota U-Spatial <br /> <br />Natural Resources Goals and Policies <br />Goals: <br />1. Ensure all development respects the natural aesthetics and environment of Little Canada. <br /> <br />2. Increase overall health and quality of natural resources in Little Canada. <br /> <br />3. Develop and foster relationships with environmental groups and other government agencies. <br /> <br />4. Collaborate with adjacent cities and townships regarding development of land adjacent to Little <br />Canada. <br /> <br />Policies: <br /> <br />1. Enforce federal and state regulations for development on wetlands and in floodplains. <br /> <br />2. Minimize development impacts to sensitive resources and minimize site alterations. <br /> <br />3. Continue to minimize stormwater runoff and mitigate its negative impacts on water quality. <br /> <br />4. Explore options to increase use of native plantings in development plans. <br />