In the town's Master Plan, the Neighborhoods and Housing chapter contains a goal and policies related to establishing standards for the use of sustainable practices in housing rehabilitation and new construction, which includes ensuring that zoning provides for the use alternative energies (i.e., solar) where appropriate (5.d).

The Open Space chapter discusses enhancing opportunities for renewable energy and making New Bedford the center for manufacturing renewable resources, such as wind, solar, and biomass (p. 8-2).

The City Services and Resources chapter includes objectives related to reducing energy consumption, including the installation of solar panels on municipal properties where appropriate (1.d).