Solar Energy

The County's General Plan addresses solar briefly in several elements. Chapter 2, the Land Use Element, includes a general land use policy of allowing solar energy generation projects in open space areas where consistent with other uses and values (Goal LU.P-40). Chapter 4, the Resources Element, notes in a section on Energy Resources and Conservation that the county has been a leader in renewable energy production and will continue to increase its use of these alternative fuels (p. RS-51), and that the county will promote the numerous opportunities for small-scale solar energy development (p. RS-53). Policies include enabling renewable energy sources such as solar to be produced in the county to reduce reliance on external energy sources (Policy RS.P-53), providing information and education to support the use of renewable energy sources (Policy RS.P-56), and encouraging on-site renewable energy production and use (Policy RS.P-59). Implementation programs include developing standards to require the incorporation of renewable energy generation in new residential and commercial buildings (RS.I-46), requiring the design and orientation of all buildings to maximize passive solar heating and opportunities for on-site solar generation (RS.I-55), and protecting and facilitating use of the county's renewable energy resources by protecting solar access for buildings and streamlining permitting processes (RS.I-58).