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Are You Solar Ready?
Seven steps to successfully manage large-scale solar development.March 01, 2020The growing demand for electricity from low-cost, large-scale solar will pose challenges as states and communities struggle to address this new form of land use and development. -
Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future
PAS Report 558by: Scott Shuford, Suzanne Rynne, AICP, Jan Mueller March 15, 2010Planners have an important role to play in helping communities meet energy needs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to a changing climate. This PAS Report showcases communities that have already begun taking steps in these areas.List Price$25.00APA member & PAS subscriber$0.00 -
Dubai's Planning Paradox
A city known for having the biggest and tallest now wants to be known for the smallest (carbon footprint).February 01, 2019Can Dubai, a city transfixed by a growth-oriented approach that overshadows comprehensive planning, become a world leader in renewable energy? -
Integrating Solar Energy into Local Development Regulations
Solar Briefing Papers 4by: Ann Dillemuth, AICP, Darcie White, AICPThis briefing paper provides planners, public officials, and engaged citizens with an overview of three aspects of integrating solar energy into local development regulations. -
Integrating Solar Energy into Local Plans
Solar Briefing Papers 3by: David Morley, AICP, Brian Ross, AICP, Darcie White, AICPThe purpose of this paper is to provide planners, public officials, and engaged citizens with an overview of established and emerging approaches to integrating references to solar energy into local plans. -
Solar Community Engagement Strategies for Planners
Solar Briefing Papers 1by: Ann Dillemuth, AICP, Sarah Baldwin, Chad LaurentThis briefing paper will show how planners can initiate a community conversation about solar energy, respond to common solar myths and misconceptions, and better engage and educate community members about solar energy systems. -
Balancing Solar Energy Use with Potential Competing Interests
Solar Briefing Papers 5by: Erin Musiol, AICP, Kimberly KoolesThis briefing paper focuses on historic properties and historic districts, as planners have indicated that this is where they have experienced the highest potential for conflict. -
Recycling Land for Solar Energy Development
Solar Briefing Papers 6by: David Morley, AICPThe purpose of this briefing paper is to provide planners, public officials, and engaged citizens with an overview of considerations and strategies for cities and counties hoping to promote or pursue solar energy projects on vacant properties with little current demand for reoccupancy or conventional redevelopment. -
Solar Mapping
Solar Briefing Papers 2by: Erin Musiol, AICPA solar map is an internet-based tool that helps educate and inform users about solar technology by estimating the solar energy potential of building sites or open land and providing information about associated benefits. -
Distributed Renewable Energy: Anticipating Energy Development in Communities
PAS Memo — November-December 2012by: Joshua Hohn, AICPThe November-December 2012 issue of PAS Memo defines distributed generation, discusses its benefits and obstacles to its development, and describes how regulatory and policy changes could set the stage for a substantial increase in distributed generation.List Price$10.00APA members & PAS subscribers$0.00 -
Planning for Solar Energy
PAS QuickNotes 40by: Erin Musiol, AICPThis edition of PAS QuickNotes discusses how to support solar goals through five strategic points of intervention.List price$10.00APA member & PAS subscriber$0.00 -
Here Comes the Sun
Community solar, or shared solar, is growing nationwide as a means of giving people a local source of solar energy, even if they don’t own a home.March 01, 2017Community solar power installations are growing across the U.S., improving access for low-income housing residents. -
Solar Energy and Land-Use Regulation
Zoning Practice — November 2010by: Brian Ross, AICP, Suzanne Rhees, AICP November 01, 2010This issue of Zoning Practice provides an update on the Solar America Cities (SAC) program and shares how SAC cities have made code changes in response to the program’s call to identify and remove barriers to the use of solar energy in urban areas.List Price$10.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
Solar Access: Using the Environment in Building Design
Zoning Practice — April 2010by: Mary-Margaret Jenior, AICP April 01, 2010This issue of Zoning Practice highlights the elements of solar building design and discusses how communities can use land use controls to promote and protect solar access.List Price$10.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
Local Solar
What do leading solar communities have in common? It may not be what you expect.December 01, 2015Smaller, less urban communities are starting to generate more solar energy per capita than urban places. -
Play 'Solar Powering Sunnyside' to Sharpen Your Solar Skills
by: Anna Read, AICPA new land-use planning exercise can help communities start a conversation about local solar energy use. -
Balancing the Solar Access Equation
Zoning Practice — April 2009by: Abigail Feldman, Daniel Marks, AICP April 01, 2009This issue of Zoning Practice explores the growing trend to protect light access for solar energy systems and explains how planners may need to guide land-use policy development to avoid unintended consequences.List Price$10.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
Pinecrest, FL, Code of Ordinances
The village permits accessory solar energy systems in all districts and requires solar-ready home construction.Pinecrest, FL -
Tecumseh, MI, Code of Ordinances
The city's zoning ordinance permits accessory solar energy systems in all districts and allows property owners to apply for a solar access permit.Tecumseh, MI -
Kansas City, MO, Climate Protection Plan
The city's Climate Protection Plan offers multiple recommendations for two phases of solar energy implementation.Kansas City, MO -
Orange County, FL, Climate Change Plan
The county's climate change plan sets a goal of establishing and implementing a renewable energy initiative with several solar-related objectives.Orange County, FL -
Novato, CA, Climate Change Action Plan
The city's climate change action plan supports removing barriers to small-scale renewable energy production and discusses current solar initiatives.Novato, CA -
Burlington, VT, Climate Action Plan
The city's Climate Action Plan includes goals and strategies to increase the use of renewable energy sources, including solar.Burlington city, VT -
Paso Robles, CA, Climate Action Plan
This climate action plan includes a measure to pursue renewable energy installations on city property, including installing solar systems on city property when feasible.El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), CA -
San Luis Obispo, CA, Climate Action Plan
This Climate Action Plan calls for solar siting development standards and solar ready homes in new developments and for an increase in solar access to be included in General Plan updates.San Luis Obispo, CA -
San Diego, CA, Climate Action Plan
The city's climate action plan includes a renewable energy strategy area encouraging solar-ready housing.San Diego, CA -
Claremont, CA, Sustainable City Plan
The city's Sustainability Plan includes renewable energy-related goals in its Resource Conservation goal area.Claremont, CA -
Stillwater OK, C3 Plan: Comprehensive Plan 2030
The Environmental Planning and Conservation chapter of the city's comprehensive plan describes the importance of solar resources and encourages their use.Stillwater, OK -
Williams, CA, Design Review Manual
The city's design guidelines promote solar orientation and solar panel installations integrated into roof design for both residential and nonresidential development.Williams, CA -
Ridgecrest, CA, General Plan
The Community Design and Open Space and Conservation elements of the city's general plan include goals, policies, and implementation measures to promote use of solar energy resources.Ridgecrest, CA -
Piedmont, CA, Climate Action Plan
The city's climate action plan addresses solar throughout; several objectives and strategies address solar energy use and the plan establishes indicators and targets for percentage of building with solar energy systems.Piedmont, CA -
Virginia Beach, VA, Oceanfront Resort District Form-Based Code
This form-based code allows accessory solar panels to exceed setback and height requirements and includes design guidelines that address solar access.Virginia Beach, VA -
Tiburon, CA, Municipal Code
The city's zoning code requires new single-family dwellings to install solar PV capacity calculated using either a prescriptive or a performance method.Tiburon, CA -
Golden, CO, Municipal Code
The city's subdivision regulations require lot layouts to address solar access; the zoning code allows small accessory solar energy systems by right in all districts subject to standards and requires special use approval for large accessory solar energy systems, and offers required sustainable design points for solar design and installation in multifamily and nonresidential development.Golden, CO -
Martinez, CA, Municipal Code
The city code's Health and Safety title includes a view and sunlight preservation ordinance.Martinez, CA -
Perryville, MO, Municipal Code
The city's zoning code provides requirements for structuring and recording solar access easements.Perryville, MO -
Overland Park, KS, Municipal Code
The city's unified development ordinance permits accessory solar energy systems in all districts, subject to standards.Overland Park, KS -
Orange, CT, Municipal Code
The town's subdivision regulations require solar lot design and address solar access considerations in street tree plantings.Orange town, CT -
St. Helens, OR, Municipal Code
The city's zoning code includes a chapter establishing solar access and solar balance point requirements.St. Helens, OR -
Orange, MA, Municipal Code
The town's zoning code includes solar access provisions to promote the use of solar design.Orange town, MA -
Torrance, CA, Municipal Code
The city's land use code building design compatibility requirements address solar access.Torrance, CA -
West Sacramento, CA, Municipal Code
The city's subdivision ordinance allows for solar access easement dedication requirements for tentative map approval.West Sacramento, CA -
Douglas, WY, Master Plan
The Economic Development and Parks and Recreation sections of the city's master plan include goals and policies that promote increased development of solar energy resources.Douglas, WY -
Escondido, CA, Municipal Code
The city's zoning code generally exempts solar energy systems from conditional use permit and design review requirements.Escondido, CA -
Sahuarita, AZ, General Plan: Aspire 2035
Several policies within the town's general plan promote solar orientation and solar energy use.Sahuarita, AZ -
Irvine, CA, General Plan
The Energy Element of the city's general plan includes goals and a range of specific policies encouraging solar design and solar energy system use.Irvine, CA -
West Covina, CA, General Plan
The Housing Element of the city's general plan includes energy efficiency goals that promote solar energy use.West Covina, CA -
Santa Clara County, CA, General Plan
The Housing Element of the county's general plan promotes green building certifications that address solar resources.Santa Clara County, CA -
Santa Clara County, CA, Solar Potential Map
This collection of maps show the land-use factors affecting solar potential in different areas of the county.Santa Clara County, CA