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Model Sustainable Development Ordinances 3 Solar Energy Standards Climate Protection Strategies Solar energy should be part of every commu- nity’s portfolio for addressing climate change or energy transitions (also known as “peak oil”) considerations. Local governments that are par- ticipating in the Cities for Climate Protection program, Mayor’s Climate Protection signato- ries, or the Cool Cities/Cool Counties program can use private solar investment as a vehicle for meeting goals. Additional community benefits that improve sustainability are also spelled out in the findings section. I. Scope - This article applies to all solar energy installations in Model Community. II. Purpose - Model Community has adopted this regulation for the following purposes: A. Comprehensive Plan Goals - To meet the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and preserve the health, safety and welfare of the Community’s citizens by promote the safe, effective and efficient use of ac- tive solar energy systems installed to reduce the on-site consumption of fossil fuels or utility-supplied electric energy. The following solar energy standards specifically implement the following goals from the Comprehensive Plan: 1. Goal – Encourage the use of local renewable energy resources, including appropriate applications for wind, solar, and biomass energy. 2. Goal – Promote sustainable building design and management practices in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to serve the needs of current and future generations. 3. Goal – Assist local businesses to lower financial and regulatory risks and improve their economic, community, and environmental sustainability. 4. Goal – Efficiently invest in and manage public infrastructure systems to support development and growth. B. Climate Change Goals - As a signatory of the Cool Cities program, Model Community has commit- ted to reducing carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy is an abundant, renewable, and nonpolluting energy resource and that its conversion to electricity or heat will reduce our depen- dence on nonrenewable energy resources and decrease the air and water pollution that results from the use of conventional energy sources. C. Infrastructure - Distributed solar photovoltaic systems will enhance the reliability and power quality of the power grid and make more efficient use of Model Community’s electric distribution infrastructure. D. Local Resource - Solar energy is an under used local energy resource and encouraging the use of solar energy will diversify the community’s energy supply portfolio and exposure to fiscal risks associ- ated with fossil fuels. E. Improve Competitive Markets - Solar energy systems offer additional energy choice to consumers and will improve competition in the electricity and natural gas supply market. Comprehensive Plan Goals Tying the solar energy ordinance to Comprehen- sive Plan goals is particularly important when the solar standards include regulatory incentives or solar requirements as described in the last section of this ordinance. If the Comprehensive Plan does not include goals that could address solar energy, and the community does not have some of policy foundation for encouraging pri- vate investment in solar energy (such as climate protection goals) the community should consider creating a local energy plan.