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Model Sustainable Development Ordinances10 Solar Energy Standards local electric distribution system was installed more than twenty years ago, or where the local electric utility has documented a near-term need for additional distribution substation or conductor capacity, require on-site renewable energy systems as a condition for a rezoning or a conditional use permit. 1. The renewable energy condition may only be exercised for new construction or major reconstruc- tion projects. 2. The renewable energy condition may only be exercised for sites that have 90% unimpeded solar or wind energy access, and for which the renewable energy system can reasonably meet all perfor- mance standards and building code requirements. B. Condition for Planned Unit Development (PUD) Approval - Model Community may require on- site renewable energy systems as a condition for approval of a PUD permit, in order to mitigate for: 1. Risk to the performance of the local electric distribution system, 2. Increased emissions of greenhouse gases, 3. Other risks or effects inconsistent with Model Community’s Comprehensive Plan. IX. Solar Roof Incentives - Model Community has identified the following incentives for development applications or subdivisions that will include buildings using active solar energy systems. A. Density Bonus - Any application for subdivision of land in the ___ Districts that will allow the development of at least four new lots of record shall be allowed to increase the maximum number of lots by 10% or one lot, whichever is greater, provided all building and wastewater setbacks can be met with the increased density, if the applicant enters into a development agreement guaranteeing at each one kilowatt of PV or 64 square feet of solar hot water collector installed for each new residence. B. Vacant Lot Preference - When Model Community disposes of vacant parcels of land that are under City ownership through auction, Model Community shall award a 10% bid preference up to $5,000 for every kilowatt of solar capacity that is to be incorporated into the fully-built out parcel, when awarding the bid. The bidder must also meet all land use and dimensional requirements, and must post a bond for the amount of the bid preference granted. C. Combined Building Code Permit - On an existing building that is being retrofit with a solar energ y system, Model Community shall charge no more than one permit fee for a solar energy system that meets the administrative approval requirements of this ordinance. D. Solar Access Variance - On a site where the solar access standards of the subdivision ordinance are difficult to meet due to topography or road connectivity, the zoning administrator shall grant an Solar Roof Incentives This section of the model ordinance includes a series of incentives that can be incorporated into development regulation. Most cities and many counties make requirements or use incentives to ensure that certain public amenities are included in development. These same tools and incentives can be used to encourage private investment in solar energy. Communities will not want to use all these incentives, but should select which ones make the most sense in their community (or cre- ate some other incentive that encourages solar energy). As with any incentive, an important ele- ment of creating the incentive is to engage plan- ning or economic development staff in the cre- ation of the incentive, so that staff can assist the developer in taking advantage of the provisions. Renewable Energy Conditions (previous page) The community can use traditional development tools such as conditional use permits, PUDs, or other discretionary permits to encourage private investment in solar energy systems. This model ordinance notes these opportunities for consid- eration by local governments. In most cases, additional ordinance language would need to be inserted into the community’s ordinances. For instance, a provision that PUDs incorporate so- lar energy would need to be included in the com- munity’s PUD ordinance, or if a condition of a CUP was to make the building solar-ready, this would need to be included in the conditional use permit section of the ordinance.