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Mounds View Planning Commission May 15, 2013 <br />Regular Meeting Page 5 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />goal was to make solar energy competitive with other energy sources by 2020 in order to create a <br />self-sustaining solar energy market. <br /> <br />Mr. Ross explained another goal was to get solar energy cost down to $1 per watt. He noted the <br />cost of solar panels has dropped considerably in the last 20 years. Barriers to solar energy were <br />discussed in detail. He stated local government code and permitting processes were key in <br />moving solar energy forward. The capacity of solar radiation in Minnesota was reviewed along <br />with how it varied by time of day, seasons, local landscape and through weather patterns. <br /> <br />Mr. Ross further defined how a space could be used as a solar resource. Solar technologies <br />available in Minnesota were then discussed. He noted there were building integrated systems, <br />along with roof-mounted and ground mounted systems available. He encouraged Mounds View <br />to remember that solar energy was a renewable energy and belongs in the Comprehensive Plan. <br />He noted solar energy was becoming more cost competitive and people will want to take <br />advantage of this. For this reason, communities need to plan accordingly and make decisions on <br />how and where solar installations are done. <br /> <br />Mr. Ross discussed federal and state laws regarding solar energy. He indicated the best way to <br />regulate solar development within the City was at a local level. He then reviewed the City of <br />Roseville’s Comprehensive Plan regarding the use of solar energy. He encouraged Mounds <br />View to create solar energy best practices at a zoning level. A model ordinance with best zoning <br />practices was then discussed in detail with the Commission. Mr. Ross thanked the Commission <br />for their time this evening and asked for comments or questions. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson questioned how many communities were currently prepared for solar energy <br />development. <br /> <br />Mr. Ross indicated as part of the Solar Challenge he was working with 20 communities at this <br />time. Prior to that, he had only worked with Minneapolis and St. Paul. He understood solar <br />energy to be a new technology and encouraged Mounds View to update their Code to assist with <br />potential future solar development. <br /> <br />Associate Heller asked if wind energy was becoming popular in the metro area. <br /> <br />Mr. Ross indicated wind energy was not as popular in an urban setting because it really doesn’t <br />work well in the city. He stated the primary issue with wind energy is that typically unless the <br />turbine is at least 200 feet away from anything, it is useless and the turbine does not move. <br />There are also problems with them using more energy than they make and noise. <br /> <br />Associate Heller questioned if any communities were not allowing wind energy systems. <br /> <br />Mr. Ross commented this was happening as wind resources were more limited. He indicated he <br />had a model wind ordinance available if the City was interested in reviewing this language. <br />