Workshop to Focus on Solar Energy Planning, Zoning, and Permitting
Many cities agree that renewable energy is important for the future. But has your community really assessed its local renewable energy resources? Attend one of five free events to learn about solar energy best practices in planning, zoning, and permitting, and about the free assistance available through the Minnesota Solar Challenge for implementing them.
Every community has a solar energy resource. Solar installation costs are rapidly coming down, and solar energy systems are coming soon to your community. But most local governments have little experience with renewable energy from a land use or economic development perspective. This workshop will review the rapidly evolving world of community-scale solar energy markets, technologies, and regulation, with a special emphasis on addressing renewable energy resources in plans, development regulation, and building code permitting.
The workshop will address:
- Market trends in solar energy and solar energy technologies.
- The hows and whys of addressing solar resources in local plans and policies.
- The different technologies for harvesting local renewable energy and how different technologies can create different considerations in development regulation and permitting requirements.
- Steps for local governments to encourage the development of a local solar energy market by removing barriers and limiting uncertainty.
- What potential conflicts might arise from solar energy installations, and distinguishing between real and perceived nuisances.
- Opportunities for local renewable energy incentives to meet your sustainability, economic development, or energy independence goals.