Rebates

The Land Development Code for Hillsborough County outlines the appropriate uses and guidelines for the operation of a solar energy production facility and a wind energy conversion system (WECS).

For a solar facility in an agricultural zone, the proposed lot size shall be a minimum of five (5) acres. There should be a setback of 50 feet from all boundaries of the site. The solar panels should be ground mounted and have a maximum height of 15 feet.

Ground-mounted facilities must be enclosed with a fence. On-site power lines and interconnections shall be placed underground. Facilities will be considered abandoned

This ordinance is intended to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens by removing barriers to the installation of alternative energy systems and encourage the installation of rooftop photovoltaic solar systems.

There are no standards or guidelines within the code of ordinances that can prohibit the installation of rooftop solar systems as accessory equipment on residential or commercial buildings.

The height of the rooftop photovoltaic solar systems cannot be higher than the roofline (top of the roof). For flat roofs, the system cannot be greater than five (5) feet above the roof.

The permit does not guarantee

The intent of this policy is to define appropriate locations for wind energy conversion systems, to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses, and to promote safe, effective and efficient use of wind energy conversion systems to increase opportunities for generation of renewable energy. 

Building mounted wind energy conversion systems shall be permitted in all zoning districts. The systems shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height. Structures must be less than four (4) stories and forty-two (42) feet in height. If the building is nonresidential, the wind energy system must be setback at least ten (10) feet from the building.

Freestanding

The purpose of this policy is to help define appropriate locations for solar energy systems, to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses, and to promote safe and effective use of solar energy to increase opportunities for renewable energy generation.

In general, solar energy systems are allowed in all zoning districts. Solar energy system must comply with the minimum yard requirements of the district where they are located. Screening of solar energy systems is not required. All lots in subdivisions of forty (40) acres or more shall be platted in an orientation to maximize solar exposure.

For building-mounted solar energy systems, the

The City of Chicago has published a solar zoning policy to illustrate and streamline the requirements for zoning review of solar PV systems within the city. The published policy consists of guidelines and is not an ordinance; the City reserves the right to deny zoning approval to any PV system even if it meets the requirements listed in the policy.

The purpose of this chapter is to enhance public health and welfare and assure that green building principles and practices are incorporated into new development to limit impacts to the natural and human environment within unincorporated Santa Clara County, The green building provisions referenced in this chapter are designed to achieve the following goals: 

• Increase energy efficiency in buildings
• Reduce potable water demand
• Encourage natural resource conservation
• Reduce waste generated by construction projects
• Provide durable buildings that are efficient, cost effective, and economical to own and operate
• Promote the health and productivity of residents and workers who occupy and live

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

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