HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-27 PACKET WORKSHOPCottage
J Grove
4/,,ere Pride and Prosperity Meet
TO: Planning Commission Members
FROM: John McCool, Senior Planner
DATE: March 23, 2017
RE: Solar Collection Systems — Contemplating Ordinance Amendments
Introduction
The City's Solar Collection System ordinance was adopted on October 7, 2015 (Ordinance No. 948).
Since that time, questions have been asked whether or not the following solar regulations should be
amended:
• Setbacks from residential uses;
• Community solar collector systems on rooftops located in the Metropolitan Urban Service Area
(MUSA) or Transition Planning Areas;
• Conditional use permit versus interim conditional use permit; and
• Modifying Exhibit A in Ordinance No. 948 (designated areas allowing solar collection systems).
Background
At the time the Solar Collection System ordinance was adopted, it included a map (Exhibit A) that
depicted where solar collections systems could potentially be located in the community. Exhibit A is
shown below.
Exhibit A in Ordinance No. 948
EXHIBIT A
Solar Collection System Areas
Cottage Grove, MN
•y
r
i
LEGEND
_•tit; Solar Couection System Areas
--
- `-;T-
CG Gty Boundary
-+—�— Railroad
r
Mississippi River
W
5
4t�
0 05 1
2 3
f!I�:
Exhibit A in Ordinance No. 948
Planning Commission Memorandum
Solar Collection Systems — Ordinance Regulations
March 23, 2017
Page 2 of 4
Since the adoption of Ordinance No. 948, five conditional use permit applications for community
solar gardens and two solar collector text amendment applications were filed with the City. Four of
the five conditional use permit applications were approved by the City. One conditional use permit
application was eventually withdrawn by the applicant. Based on public testimony and conversations
by City Council and Planning Commission, certain solar collection ordinance regulations were iden-
tified as possibly being amended. Both text amendment applications were withdrawn by the appli-
cants. The requested amendment applications both proposed to allow large utility sola systems in
the MUSA and in the Transition Planning Areas as designated on the Future Land Use map in the
Future Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
Setbacks from Residential Land Uses
Minimum setbacks for community solar gardens or solar farms are required to comply with the min-
imum setback standards for principal structures in the zoning district in which they are located. For
example, in the agricultural zones, the minimum front yard setback is 100 feet, side yard is 25 feet,
and rear yard is 50 feet. In the R-1 and R-2 Districts, the minimum front yard setback is 30 feet, side
yard is 25 feet, and rear yard is 50 feet.
The question was asked if large solar utility systems should setback a greater distance from adjoining
residential properties or dwellings. This would provide a larger separation between solar collection
systems and neighboring residential structures.
Community Solar Gardens on Rooftops in the MUSA
The solar collection ordinance does not allow large solar utility systems within the Metropolitan Urban
Service Area (MUSA). The MUSA boundary is depicted in the illustration below:
Planning Commission Memorandum
Solar Collection Systems — Ordinance Regulations
March 23, 2017
Page 3 of 4
Certain businesses within the MUSA have expressed interest in mounting solar panels on their com-
mercial or industrial buildings to collect solar energy and sell all or excess of that energy to Xcel
Energy. To some extent, these solar farms would generally be smaller and potentially be on property
that is less than the five -acre minimum land area requirement for community solar gardens and solar
farms. The solar ordinance currently allows solar collection systems on commercial and industrial
buildings, but was intended to allow the business to supplement their electric energy use. Should
community solar garden systems also be permitted on all non-residential structures (e.g. schools
and churches) that are located within residential districts?
Conditional Use Permit versus Interim Conditional Use Permit
On May 23, 2016, the Planning Commission asked why community solar gardens are allowed by a
conditional use permit versus an interim conditional use permit. A memo to the Commission was
prepared on June 23, 2016, regarding this question. At the June 27, 2016, Planning Commission
meeting, staff reported that the Planning Commission had briefly discussed this issue at previous
meetings. A summary of solar ordinances by other communities in the metropolitan area was pre-
sented at the June 22, 2015 meeting. At that time, it was reported that not many communities had
adopted solar ordinances and of the few communities that did have ordinances, a conditional use
permit was typically required. It was also noted that large utility solar collector systems are generally
a long-term venture that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to construct with a return on invest-
ment to be more than ten years. An interim conditional use permit is typically for short-term events
that are usually granted for a three -to -five year period. Based on development costs and the premise
that the success of solar collection systems might become a semi-permanent land use, a conditional
use permit application made the most sense at that time.
Conversely, the other option is for an interim conditional use permit, given the projection of future
development in the community, large scale solar utility systems should only be approved as an
interim use. In doing so, the City has the option to approve or deny an extension to the existence of
a large scale solar collection system at the end of a 25 -to -30 year lease.
Representatives from the solar industry attended several of the Planning Commission meetings
during the process of developing the solar ordinance. They generally described large scale solar
collection systems as operating for 25 to 30 years.
Modifying Exhibit A in Ordinance No. 948
Exhibit A in Ordinance No. 948 was created to graphically show where large solar utility systems
could be located within the community. On several occasions, representatives from solar collection
systems testified that not all properties within the "red -hatch" areas in Exhibit A are ideal sites for
large scale solar collection systems because of their remoteness to existing electric distribution utility
lines or proximity to rural residential developments.
At the time Exhibit A was prepared, only three primary criteria were considered in determining where
large scale solar collection systems should be allowed in the community. The criteria were: 1) pro-
hibiting large scale solar collection systems on land area designated "Transition Planning Area" on
the City's Future Land Use Map in the Future Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan; 2) must be outside
the MUSA; and 3) away from the State Highway 10/61 corridor so as not to be seen from the arterial
highway.
Planning Commission Memorandum
Solar Collection Systems — Ordinance Regulations
March 23, 2017
Page 4 of 4
City staff was asked to modify Exhibit A to eliminate areas of land that might be considered environ-
mentally sensitive areas, too close to residential neighborhoods, or remoteness from existing electric
distribution lines. If the Planning Commission has other criteria that should be considered, city staff
would appreciate your input on modifying Exhibit A.
Interim Ordinance Prohibiting Acceptance or Consideration (Ord. No. 965)
On July 20, 2016, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 965, which is an interim ordinance pro-
hibiting acceptance or consideration of applications for community solar gardens and/or solar farms,
in order to undertake a study to effectuate changes to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code. The
study is also to include, but not be limited to, review if community solar gardens and/or solar farms
would be allowed by conditional use permit or interim conditional use permit and to determine ap-
propriate setbacks from adjoining property lines and structures. This ordinance created a moratorium
for community solar gardens and/or solar farms for 12 months from July 20, 2016.
The purpose of this moratorium is to ensure that the solar collection ordinance is consistent with the
goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. A Steering Committee was appointed last year by
the City Council to update the City's Future Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The Steering Com-
mittee has been working on other elements of the Comprehensive Plan and has not yet had the
opportunity to review or prepare goals and policies relevant to solar energy systems
The Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires that comprehensive plans contain "an element for the
protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems" (Minn. Stat.
473.859). A handout titled "Planning for Solar" from the Metropolitan Council's Local Planning
Handout is attached.
It is evident that the community's goals, policies, and strategies for solar collection systems in the
updated Comprehensive Plan will not formally be approved before July 20, 2017. If the solar collec-
tion ordinance is amended, the goals and policies for solar energy should be consistent with the solar
collection ordinance and adopted amendments hereafter. Generally, the adoption of city ordinances
is to implement the goals and policies established in the Comprehensive Plan, but in this scenario,
it will be necessary to reverse the process in order to achieve the purpose of the solar collection
moratorium before the July 20, 2017 deadline.
Recommendation
If the Planning Commission wants to amend the solar collection system ordinance, please provide
City staff with specific direction on what the amendments should be. Any amendments to the solar
collection system ordinance that are adopted in the future would not change the four already ap-
proved community solar garden projects. A public hearing on this topic will be scheduled for a future
Planning Commission meeting.
Attachments:
— Ordinance No. 948
— Ordinance No. 965
— Planning for Solar
1 ORDINANCE NO. 948
2
3 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA AMENDING
4 TITLE 11, CHAPTER 4, SPECIAL ZONING PROVISIONS BY ADDING SECTION 10,
5 SOLAR COLLECTOR SYSTEMS TO THE CITY CODE
6
7
8 The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, does hereby
9 ordain as follows:
10
11 SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Title 11, Chapter 4, Special Zoning Provisions is amended
12 by inserting Section 10, Solar Collector Systems and shall read as follows:
13 11-4-10: SOLAR COLLECTOR SYSTEMS:
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
A. Purpose. Cottage Grove supports the use of solar collection systems as an accessory use in
all zoning districts and as a conditional use in special zoning districts whereby it is
determined that rural and urban agricultural land is unproductive farmland. The development
of solar energy farms should be balanced with the protection of the public safety and the
existing natural resources in Cottage Grove. The ordinance is to provide for the regulation of
the construction and operation of solar collector systems in Cottage Grove, subject to
reasonable conditions that will protect the environment, public health, safety, and welfare.
The provisions of this section of the ordinance shall apply within all zoning districts; allowing
solar panels as an appurtenance to rooftops and exterior walls, and allow modest
adjustments to regulations to allow applicants access to solar resources on their property. In
no case shall the provisions of this ordinance guarantee rights to solar access.
B. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
Alternative Energy System: A ground source heat pump, wind or solar energy system.
Community Solar Garden: A solar -electric (photovoltaic) array that provides retail electric
power (or a financial proxy for retail power) to multiple community members or businesses
residing or located off-site from the location of the solar energy system, under the provisions
of Minn. Statutes 216B.1641 or successor statute.
Photovoltaic System: An active solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into
electricity.
Solar Collector: A device, structure or a part of a device or structure for which the primary
purpose is to capture sunlight and transform it into thermal, mechanical, chemical, or
electrical energy.
Ordinance No. 948
Page 2 of 7
42 Solar Collector Surface: Any part of a solar collector that absorbs solar energy for use in the
43 collector's energy transformation process. Collector surface does not include frames,
44 supports and mounting hardware.
45
46 Solar Daylighting: A device specifically designed to capture and redirect the visible portion of
47 the solar spectrum, while controlling the infrared portion, for use in illuminating interior
48 building spaces in lieu of artificial lighting.
49
50 Solar Energy: Radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat
51 or light by a solar collector.
52
53 Solar Energy Device: A system or series of mechanisms designed primarily to provide
54 heating, cooling, electrical power, mechanical power, solar daylighting or to provide any
55 combination of the foregoing by means of collecting and transferring solar generated energy
56 into such uses either by active or passive means. Such systems may also have the
57 capability of storing such energy for future utilization. Passive solar energy systems shall
58 clearly be designed as a solar energy device such as a trombe wall and not merely a part of
59 a normal structure such as a window.
60
61 Solar Energy System: A device or structural design feature, a substantial purpose of which is
62 to provide daylight for interior lighting or provide for the collection, storage and distribution of
63 solar energy for space heating or cooling, electricity generation or water heating.
64
65 Solar Energy System, Building4ntergrated: A solar energy system that is an integral part of a
66 principle or accessory building, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural
67 component of the building. Building -integrated systems include but are not limited to
68 photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems that are contained within or substitute for
69 roofing materials, windows, skylights, awnings and shade devices.
70
71 Solar Energy System, Roof -Mounted: A solar energy system mounted directly or abutting the
72 roof of a principal or accessory building.
73
74 Solar Energy System, Grid-Intertie: A photovoltaic solar energy system that is connected to
75 an electric circuit served by an electric utility company.
76
77 Solar Energy System, Off -Grid: A photovoltaic solar energy system in which the circuits
78 energized by the solar energy system are not electrically connected in any way to electric
79 circuits that are served by an electric utility company.
80
81 Solar Energy System, Ground -Mount: A freestanding solar system mounted directly to the
82 ground using a rack or pole rather than being mounted on a building.
83
84 Solar Farm: A commercial facility that converts sunlight into electricity, whether by
85 photovoltaic (PV), concentrating solar thermal devices (CST), or other conversion
86 technology, for the principal purpose of wholesale sales of generated electricity.
87
Ordinance No. 948
Page 3 of 7
88 Solar Heat Exchanger: A component of a solar energy device that is used to transfer heat
89 from one substance to another, either liquid or gas.
90
91 Solar Hot Air System (also referred to as Solar Air Heat or Solar Furnace): An active solar
92 energy system that includes a solar collector to provide direct supplemental space heating
93 by heating and re -circulating conditioned building air. The most efficient performance
94 typically uses a vertically mounted collector on a south -facing wall.
95
96 Solar Hot Water System (also Thermal System): A system that includes a solar collector and
97 a heat exchanger that heats or preheats water for building heating systems or other hot
98 water needs, including residential domestic hot water and hot water for commercial
99 processes.
100
101 Solar Mounting Devices: Racking, frames, or other devices that allow the mounting of a solar
102 collector onto a roof surface or the ground.
103
104 Solar Resource: A view of the sun from a specific point on a lot or building that is not
105 obscured by any vegetation, building, or object for a minimum of four hours between the
106 hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Standard Time on any day of the year.
107
108 Solar Storage Unit: A component of a solar energy device that is used to store solar
109 generated electricity or heat for later use.
110
111 C. Standards.
112
113 1. Building -Integrated Solar Energy System. A building -integrated solar energy system shall
114 be allowed only on principal structures in all zoning districts and regulated as any other
115 building element. Wall mounted solar collection systems are prohibited on the side of a
116 principal structure facing a public street.
117
118 2. Minimum Lot Size. A minimum lot area of five acres is required for ground -mounted solar
119 energy systems for all residential properties in any zoning district.
120
121 3. Height. Roof -mounted solar energy systems shall comply with the maximum height
122 requirements in the zoning district that the property is zoned. In nonresidential zoning
123 districts, ground -mounted solar energy systems may be permitted in the front, side or
124 rear yards, but must setback a minimum of 20 feet from the property line.
125
126 4. Roof -mounting Devices and Roof -mounted Solar Energy Systems. Roof -mounting
127 devices and roof -mounted solar energy systems shall be flush mounted on pitched roofs.
128 Solar energy systems located in non-residential districts or on non-residential uses may
129 be mounted at an angle to the roof to improve their efficiency; however, the highest point
130 of a solar panel shall not be more than five feet, measured in a straight line above the
131 roof upon which the panel is mounted. Roof -mounted devices and roof -mounted solar
132 energy systems shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which
133 the system is mounted or built, unless the collector and mounting system has been
Ordinance No. 948
Page 4 of 7
134 explicitly engineered to safely extend beyond the edge, and setback standards are not
135 violated. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems is prohibited to extend beyond the
136 perimeter of the building.
137
138 5. Mirror Reflecting Designed Solar Energy Systems. Mirror reflecting designed solar
139 energy systems are permitted only on properties with five acres or larger and located
140 outside the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). A conditional use permit is
141 required.
142
143 6. Easements. Solar energy systems shall not encroach on public drainage or utility
144 easements.
145
146 7. Aesthetics. Reflection angles from solar energy systems shall be oriented away from
147 neighboring windows. Where necessary, screening may be required to address glare.
148
149 8. Ground -Mounted Solar Energy Systems. Ground or pole -mounted solar energy systems
150 shall not exceed 15 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt. Ground -mounted solar
151 energy systems shall comply with the accessory structure setback standards for the
152 applicable zoning district in which they are located. Community solar gardens or solar
153 farms shall comply with the principal structure setback standards for the applicable
154 zoning district in which they are located. Solar energy systems may not extend into the
155 minimum side or rear yard setbacks when oriented at minimum or maximum design tilt.
156
157 9. Standards. Solar energy systems shall meet the minimum standards outlined by the
158 International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the American Society of Heating,
159 Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), ASTM International,
160 International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Underwriter's Laboratory (UL), the
161 Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or other standards as determined by
162 the Community Development Director.
163
164 10. Certification. Solar energy systems and components shall be certified by Underwriters
165 Laboratories, Inc. (UL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Solar Rating and
166 Certification Corporation (SRCC), or other appropriate certifications) as determined by
167 the City. The City reserves the right to deny a building permit for proposed solar energy
168 systems deemed to have inadequate certification.
169
170 11. Building Permit Required. All solar energy systems require a building permit. A building
171 permit application and plan submittal must comply with the following requirements:
172
173 a. Applications for Solar Energy Systems. An application to the City for a building permit
174 under this section shall contain the following information, including but not limited to
175 the following:
176
177 i. A building permit application.
178
179 ii. A site plan of existing and proposed site conditions.
Ordinance No. 948
Page 5 of 7
IT;
181 iii. Number of solar collectors to be installed.
182
183 iv. Location and spacing of solar panels.
184
185 V. Ground mounted system applications shall identify existing vegetation on
186 installation site (list vegetation type and percent of coverage; i.e. grassland,
187 plowed field, wooded areas, etc.), and provide a maintenance plan for controlling
188 vegetative growth on site upon installation of the solar energy system.
189
190 vi. A description of the method of connecting the array to a building or substation and
191 a signed copy of the interconnection agreement a copy of the application to with
192 the local electric utility be included with the conditional use permit application or a
193 written explanation outlining why an interconnection agreement is not necessary..
194
195 vii. Planned location of underground or overhead electric lines connecting the solar
196 electric system to the building, substation or other electric load.
197
198 viii. New electrical equipment other than at the existing building or substation that is
199 the connection point for the solar electric system.
200
201 ix. Manufacture's specifications and recommended installation methods for all major
202 equipment, including solar panels, mounting systems and foundations for poles or
203 racks.
204
205 X. Existing and proposed (if existing grade will be altered) topography at two foot
206 contours.
207
208 12. Feeder Lines and Grid-Interties. All power lines shall be placed underground within the
209 interior of each parcel. The collection system may be placed overhead near substations
210 or points of interconnection to the electric grid. All grid-intertie systems shall have an
211 agreement with the local utility prior to the issuance of a building permit. A visible external
212 disconnect must be provided if required by the utility. Off -grid systems are exempt from
213 this requirement.
214
215 13. Special Exceptions. A solar collection system with a cumulative area of six square feet or
216 less is permitted in all zoning districts and does not require a building permit. No more
217 than three solar collection panels are permitted. Examples of these systems are outdoor
218 accent lighting systems, power supply for traffic control systems, powering a water pump
219 for water gardens, tele -communication systems, backup power systems during power
220 outages, and etc.
221
222 D. Community Solar Garden or Solar Farm. A conditional use permit is required for community
223 solar garden or solar farm systems and must be located within the designated areas shown
224 in Exhibit "A". Utility -scale solar energy systems are allowed in all zoning districts. A
225 minimum of five acres of land is required.
Ordinance No. 948
Page 6 of 7
226
227 E. De -commissioning. A de -commissioning plan shall be submitted with all applications for
228 community solar garden or solar farm systems.
229
230 1. De -commissioning plans shall outline the anticipated means and cost of removing the
231 system at the end of its serviceable life or upon its becoming a discontinued use. The
232 cost estimates shall be made by a competent party, such as professional engineer, a
233 contractor capable of decommissioning or a person with suitable expertise or experience
234 with decommissioning. The plan shall also identify the financial resources that will be
235 available to pay for the decommissioning and removal of the system. Owners of
236 residential solar energy systems may rely on manufactures data to submit estimates.
237
238 2. De -commissioning of the system must occur within 90 days from either of the following:
239
240 a. The end of the system's service life; or
241
242 b. The system becomes a discontinued use.
243
244 c. A system shall be considered a discontinued use after one year without energy
245 production, unless a plan is developed and submitted to the Zoning Administrator
246 outlining the steps and schedule for returning the system to service.
247
248 d. The City may at its discretion require the owner and/or operator of the commercial or
249 utility scale system to provide financial security in the form of a cash escrow, bond, or
250 irrevocable letter of credit in an amount equal to 125 percent of a cost estimate for de -
251 commissioning the system.
252
253 3. The owner of a utility -scale system must notify the City in writing when feeder lines and/or
254 grid-interties are disconnected from the local utility transmission line.
255
256 F. Abandonment. If the solar energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative:for a
257 continuous period of one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall
258 constitute a public nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their
259 expense after a demolition permit has been obtained. Removal includes the entire structure
260 and components.
261
262 SECTION 2. SUMMARY PUBLICATION. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section
263 412.191, in the case of a lengthy ordinance, a summary may be published. While a copy of the
264 entire ordinance is available without cost at the office of the City Clerk, the following summary is
265 approved by the City Council and shall be published in lieu of publishing the entire ordinance:
266 The new solar energy ordinance includes requirements regarding permitting, screening,
267 setbacks, maximum size array, minimum lot size, designated zoning districts, etc. for all types of
268 solar energy systems.
269
270 SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and
271 after its adoption and publication according to law.
Ordinance No. 948
Page 7 of 7
272
273 Passed this 7th day of October, 2015.
274
275
276
277
278
279 Attest:
280
281
282
283 Joe Fischbac , City Clerk
A
1111111111111111 11 MINE�_
W
AN INTERIM ORDINANCE PROHIBITING ACCEPTANCE OR
CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR
COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS AND/OR SOLAR FARMS
(SOLAR COLLECTION SYSTEMS)
WHEREAS, many cities have adopted interim ordinances or regulations on
aspects of planning and zoning regulations to study their impacts and determine
whether the regulations are appropriate in order to protect the public health, safety and
welfare of their citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City is undertaking a study to effectuate changes to the Zoning
Ordinance and City Code that would regulate community solar gardens and/or solar
farms (solar collection systems) and may implement many of the suggestions from the
study.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.355
subdivision 4, the City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County,
Minnesota, does ordain:
SECTION 1. No applications related to the license, use, development, variances,
conditional use permits or any other planning or licensing applications for community
solar gardens and/or solar farms, (area referenced in Exhibit A) shall be accepted or
considered for twelve (12) months from the effective date of this ordinance or until
ordinances further amending such uses become effective, whichever occurs first. This
section may be extended as provided in Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.355
subdivision 4.
SECTION 2. City Staff is directed to conduct a study to gather information and make a
recommendation to determine how the Zoning Ordinance and City Code need to be
amended regarding this use to better protect the citizens of Cottage Grove. The study
will include but not be limited to review of whether community solar gardens and/or solar
farms would be allowed by conditional use permit or interim conditional use permit and
to determine appropriate setbacks from adjoining property lines and structures.
SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from
and after its passage and publication according to law.
SECTION 4. AMENDMENT. SUMMARY PUBLICATION. Pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes Section 412.191, in the case of a lengthy ordinance, a summary may be
published. While a copy of the entire ordinance is available without cost at the office of
the City Clerk, the following summary is approved by the City Council and shall be
published in lieu of publishing the entire ordinance: "Ordinance No. 965 creates a
moratorium on community solar gardens and/or solar farms for 12 months from the
Ordinance No. 965
Page 2 of 3
effective date of this ordinance, or until ordinances further amending such uses become
effective, whichever occurs first."
Passed this 20th day of July 2016.
.a
,,I� 4. ?9f6n Bail yor
Attest:
9�
Joe F schbach, City Clerk
Published in the South Washington County Bulletin on 7/27/2016.
Ordinance No. 965
Page 3 of 3
THE REQUIREMENT OF PLANNING FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
The Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires that the comprehensive plan shall contain "an element for the protection
and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems" (Minn. Stat. 473.859).
THE SOLAR RESOURCE PROTECTION REQUIREMENT
In order to satisfy the solar resource protection requirement within
statute, the Metropolitan Council will provide the Minnesota Solar
Suitability Analysis map clipped to your community, along with
calculations of your community's gross solar and rooftop solar resource.
The map will be available within the Community Pages section of
the online Local Planning Handbook. The community solar map and
calculations should be included in your community's comprehensive plan
to satisfy the solar resource protection requirement of the statute.
THE SOLAR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENT
In order to ensure success in incorporating the solar resource development requirement within the comprehensive plan,
it is important to highlight a generalized comprehensive planning flow chart, for reference:
Existing
Conditions
Desired
Conditions - Strategies &
Goals & Evaluation
Policies
In order to satisfy the solar resource development requirement within statute, your community should include a
policy or policies pertaining to the development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems within the
comprehensive plan. Your community should also include any strategies needed to implement the policy or policies.
In order to formulate your community's policies and strategies, you can begin by setting solar visions or goals
within the comprehensive plan. Please see examples below of solar goals and visions, solar policies, and solar
implementation strategies:
Solar Goals by Community Type
1. Urban Goal - Balance between the benefits of urban forests and the benefits of enabling solar development.
2. Urban Goal - Create local community solar garden opportunities for residents and businesses who have limited on-
site solar resources or do not own land or buildings.
3. Urban Goal - Redevelopment projects will evaluate on-site solar resources and incorporate solar development into designs.
4. Suburban Goal - Encourage residential solar development that maintains community character.
5. Suburban Goal - Increase energy resilience of critical facilities such as police, fire, and emergency and hazard
response centers.
6. Suburban Goal - Fairly balance the development rights of land owners with solar resource with the community
character rights of adjacent landowners.
7. Suburban Goal - Protect access to solar resources in new developments and subdivisions, enabling individual land
owners to choose to self -generate energy.
8. Agricultural Goal - Encourage solar garden or farm development on marginal farmland rather than prime agricultural soils.
9. Rural Goal - Enable solar garden development that enhances the community's and landowners' ability to limit non -
rural housing or commercial development.
Continue to next page —�
Solar Goals by Plan Element
1. Economic Goal — Increase use of local energy resources to capture job creation opportunities and diversify local
economic base.
2. Housing Goal — By 2030, all new housing has solar generation or is built to "solar -ready" standards.
3. Land Use Goal — Encourage solar garden development on closed landfills and brownfields.
4. Resilience Goal — Encourage investment in electric grid infrastructure and solar development that makes electric
service more reliable and resilient to weather-related disruptions.
Solar Policies - Distributed (Accessory) Solar Development
1. City encourages development of distributed solar energy systems that are in keeping with the community's
character and use community solar resources.
2. City supports the development of zero net energy buildings and use of local renewable and energy efficiency resources.
3. City sets a local renewable energy standard to meet 10% of community -wide electric energy use with on-site
renewable energy.
Solar Policies - Solar Farm/Garden (Principal) Solar Development
1. City encourages development of community solar gardens on lands outside the MUSA that retain community
character and capture co -benefits such as creation of pollinator habitat.
2. City will develop solar resources on its closed landfill sites and buffer lands around industrial uses.
3. County supports the use of local solar resources, but discourages utility scale solar development that diminishes
preferred agricultural use of prime soils or conflicts with rural residential priorities.
Solar Strategies - Solar Farm/Garden (Principal) Solar Development
1. Adopt solar zoning and permitting best practices for accessory use solar development.
2. Become certified as a "solar -ready" community under the Department of Energy's SolSmart program.
3. Participate in a community solar garden project for a set amount (i.e., 30%) of public facilities' electric energy use.
4. Sponsor a community solar garden on a public building or land, for the benefit of city residents and non-profit institutions.
5. Enable and promote PACE financing for local energy efficiency and solar energy projects on private buildings.
FOR MORE RESOURCES
Metropolitan Council staff are in the process creating workshops and more Local Planning Handbook resources for
community use:
• Local Planning Handbook: http://metrocounci1.org/Handbook
• Resilience Plan Element: https:Hmetrocouncil.org/Handbook/Plan-Elements/ResiIience.aspx
• Planit Training series: https:Hmetrocouncii.org/Planit
• Grow Solar Local Government Toolkit: http://www.growsolar.org/toolkit/
• SolSmart program: http://www.gosparc.org/
• MN GreenStep Cities: http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact Eric Wojchik, Senior Planner, at 651-602-1330 or at eric.wojchik@metc.state.mn.us
November 2016
Metropolitan Council Main: 651.602.1000
390 Robert Street North TTY: 651.291.09044
SaintRob
Saint Paul, MN 55101 Public Information: 651.602.1500
public.info®metc.state.mn,us
METROPOLITAN
metrocouncil.org c o U N c I L