Commercial Solar Energy Conversion Systems

Commercial solar energy conversion system uses shall comply with all of the requirements of this section. Such uses are not allowed on any land designated Agriculture—Large scale (over 10,000 sq ft). Such uses may be allowed on lands with a general plan designation of Agriculture—Medium scale (between 2,400 and 10,000 sq ft), provided that the subject lot is deemed by the decision-maker to be of marginal quality for agricultural purposes. 

The systems are not allowed on any land located within the -d 1 (Santa Clara Valley Viewshed) and -d 2 (Milpitas Hillsides) design review combining

In proposed subdivisions where a building configuration has been developed solar access easements shall be designed to protect solar access to proposed south roof and south wall areas and any proposed site for a solar energy system. For those subdivisions that have not been developed, solar access to the southernmost boundary of the buildable portion of a lot shall be protected. In establishing the dimensions of a solar access easement, specific considerations must be made.

In cases where a building configuration is not able to reasonably protect solar access to a proposed south facing element, the advisory agency may require

The intent of Solar Access for Subdivision Development (Part 9) is to implement and enforce the requirements of the California Solar Rights Act, that the design of all subdivisions for which a tentative map is required shall utilize natural heating and cooling opportunities to the maximum extent feasible and that the dedication of solar easements may be required as a condition of tentative map approval for new parcels in order to protect solar access. It is intended that the provisions of this part shall prevail over any other provisions of this Ordinance Code which may conflict with any of these

The City of Oakland adopted mandatory green building standards for private development projects on October 19, 2010. This ordinance prescribes minimum green building (see link for definition) requirements for private development (non City of Oakland) projects in Oakland.

On April 21, 2010, the City Planning Commission approved the proposed ordinance for forwarding to the City Council. The regulations apply to new construction, additions or alterations of a certain size, mixed-use, affordable housing, and large landscape projects, as well as the demolition of historic resources. The ordinance will become fully effective starting January 1, 2011, after which the project applicant will

San Bernardino County’s Solar Energy Development Standards include standards and permit procedures for the establishment, maintenance and decommissioning of solar energy generating facilities.

Setbacks: Solar energy generating equipment and their mounting structures and devices shall be set back from the property line either pursuant to the standards in the Land Use Zoning District, or 130 percent of the mounted structure height, whichever is greater.

Glare: Solar energy facilities shall be designed to preclude daytime glare on any abutting residential land use zoning district, residential parcel, or public right-of-way.

Night Lighting: Outdoor lighting within a commercial solar energy generation

Title 22 – Planning and Zoning of the Los Angeles County Code establishes development standards for non-commercial wind energy conversion systems (WECS-N) and temporary meteorological towers. The ordinance requires a conditional use permit prior to the installation of a non-commercial wind energy conversion system in the unincorporated areas of the county, and it establishes a procedure for the director of planning to grant a minor conditional use permit for applications that are limited in scope and impacts.

Wind energy conversion system, non-commercial (WECS-N):

A facility consisting of a tower, wind turbine generator with blades, guy wires and anchors, and associated

Allows bonus building capacity within the urban core zone for LEED-certified Silver, Gold, or Platinum buildings or for buildings in a T5 Transect zone within 1/2 mile of a Metrorail, Brightline, or Tri-Rail station certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). 

The capacities for buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) are as follows:

• Silver: For buildings under 50,000 sf, 2.0% of the floor lot ratio (FLR)
• Gold: 4.0% of the floor lot ratio (FLR)
• Platinum: 13.0% of the floor lot ratio (FLR)

The capacities for buildings certified by the FGBC are as follows:

• Silver: 20% of

Solar collectors may extend up to seven feet above the maximum height limit with unlimited roof coverage. Solar collectors may extend up to 15 feet above the maximum height limit, as long as the coverage does not exceed 20 percent of the roof area, or 25 percent if the total includes stair or elevator penthouses or screened mechanical equipment.

San Bernardino County’s Accessory Wind Energy System Permit provides a uniform and comprehensive set of standards, conditions, and procedures for the placement of accessory wind energy systems on parcels in unincorporated areas of the County. These regulations are intended to ensure that accessory wind energy systems are designed and located in a manner that minimizes visual and safety impacts on the surrounding community.

A permit is required for an accessory wind energy system as defined by § 810.01.250 (Definitions, “W”). A single accessory wind energy system that is 35 feet or less in height shall be exempt from the requirement

City of Fresno requires that the design of any new city-owned building containing at least 7500 square feet shall include an alternative design for installation of a solar energy system.

The report to Council for each award of a contract for a new city-owned building shall include information related to compliance with this section every other year.

Each of the following is exempt from application of this section:

· A building for which the design is 30% or more complete on or before the effective date of this section.

· A building for which another renewable energy source(s) is available