The world's oldest energy source could become the newest way for Huntsville residents to save on their utility bills.
A proposal working its way through City Hall would permit the use of solar panels in all residential and business zones. They could be mounted on the ground, on poles or on rooftops.
However, homeowners would not be able to stick solar panels in their front yard. Also, the panels could reach only as tall as the maximum allowable building height in each zoning district. And any glare has to be directed away from the neighbors.
"This is very much in line with what other cities have," urban planner Lisa Leddo said Thursday.
But Morton Archibald, president of the Alabama Solar Association, worries the proposed rules are too restrictive.
"It's better than nothing," Archibald said Friday. "But it's a long way from a good ordinance."
Archibald said the most glaring weak spot is that the city is going to allow solar energy systems only strong enough to power the attached home or business. People would have the option of selling a portion of their solar-generated electricity to Huntsville Utilities for use in TVA's Green Power Switch program.
The problem with capping the size of home and business systems, said Archibald, is that people won't be able to generate excess power for use elsewhere.
Archibald's own yard in south Huntsville is too shady for a solar system, he said, "but I'd love it if one of my neighbors had a system that could help generate the electricity I need for my home."
He said the city should follow the Tennessee Valley Authority's lead and allow solar systems up to 50 kilowatts. That's enough to run about 10 energy-efficient homes.
"To me, this ordinance is solar-tolerant, but it's not solar-friendly," said Archibald.
Four other solar advocates who spoke at Thursday's City Council meeting agreed with Archibald that the proposal does not go far enough.
"We're a technology city," said Douglas Elgin. "We should be leading the way in all technology."
The solar panel ordinance grew out of Mayor Tommy Battle's Green 13 task force, which recommended steps the city could take to become more environmentally friendly.
Battle called the proposal "a good starting ordinance" that will give more people the option of using solar panels. The handful of systems around the city now required special variances.
Battle said limiting the height and placement of solar panels allows people to have solar systems while also respecting the property rights of others.
"We support solar, we want to see solar throughout this community," the mayor said Friday. "But it's got to be done in a responsible manner."
City Councilman John Olshefski, an outspoken advocate of solar power, said he agrees solar panels should not be allowed in front yards for aesthetic reasons. But he said he is willing to sponsor sensible changes to make the ordinance better.
The council will hold a second public hearing on the issue at its Aug. 23 meeting.
"Is it perfect? No," Olshefski said Friday. "But up until now, if you wanted solar you had to go through the whole variance process."
"I think this is a step in the right direction."
The proposed ordinance also allows solar energy production facilities of up to 5 acres in commercial and industrial districts. Redstone Energy Group recently opened the area's first solar power energy demonstration center near the corner of the Parkway and Airport Road.
The company, led by retired Army Lt. Gen. James Pillsbury, has said the project will generate enough electricity to power 487 homes and ultimately cut more than 163,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the environment.
Archibald said he expects a rush on solar systems once the city ordinance passes. He said his solar installation company is getting more calls each week than it used to get in a year.
Going solar isn't cheap. Archibald said a 5-kilowatt system capable of powering a typical 1,800-square-foot house costs about $20,000.
However, federal tax credits and grants can cut that amount almost in half, he said.
Source: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/07/here_comes_the_sun_huntsville.html
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| Workers recently installed the last of 39 solar panels on the roof of the new Madison Fire Station No. 2 on Hughes Road. The power generated by the panels will be sold back to TVA through the Generation Partners program. |
A proposal working its way through City Hall would permit the use of solar panels in all residential and business zones. They could be mounted on the ground, on poles or on rooftops.
However, homeowners would not be able to stick solar panels in their front yard. Also, the panels could reach only as tall as the maximum allowable building height in each zoning district. And any glare has to be directed away from the neighbors.
"This is very much in line with what other cities have," urban planner Lisa Leddo said Thursday.
But Morton Archibald, president of the Alabama Solar Association, worries the proposed rules are too restrictive.
"It's better than nothing," Archibald said Friday. "But it's a long way from a good ordinance."
Archibald said the most glaring weak spot is that the city is going to allow solar energy systems only strong enough to power the attached home or business. People would have the option of selling a portion of their solar-generated electricity to Huntsville Utilities for use in TVA's Green Power Switch program.
The problem with capping the size of home and business systems, said Archibald, is that people won't be able to generate excess power for use elsewhere.
Archibald's own yard in south Huntsville is too shady for a solar system, he said, "but I'd love it if one of my neighbors had a system that could help generate the electricity I need for my home."
He said the city should follow the Tennessee Valley Authority's lead and allow solar systems up to 50 kilowatts. That's enough to run about 10 energy-efficient homes.
"To me, this ordinance is solar-tolerant, but it's not solar-friendly," said Archibald.
Four other solar advocates who spoke at Thursday's City Council meeting agreed with Archibald that the proposal does not go far enough.
"We're a technology city," said Douglas Elgin. "We should be leading the way in all technology."
The solar panel ordinance grew out of Mayor Tommy Battle's Green 13 task force, which recommended steps the city could take to become more environmentally friendly.
Battle called the proposal "a good starting ordinance" that will give more people the option of using solar panels. The handful of systems around the city now required special variances.
Battle said limiting the height and placement of solar panels allows people to have solar systems while also respecting the property rights of others.
"We support solar, we want to see solar throughout this community," the mayor said Friday. "But it's got to be done in a responsible manner."
City Councilman John Olshefski, an outspoken advocate of solar power, said he agrees solar panels should not be allowed in front yards for aesthetic reasons. But he said he is willing to sponsor sensible changes to make the ordinance better.
The council will hold a second public hearing on the issue at its Aug. 23 meeting.
"Is it perfect? No," Olshefski said Friday. "But up until now, if you wanted solar you had to go through the whole variance process."
"I think this is a step in the right direction."
The proposed ordinance also allows solar energy production facilities of up to 5 acres in commercial and industrial districts. Redstone Energy Group recently opened the area's first solar power energy demonstration center near the corner of the Parkway and Airport Road.
The company, led by retired Army Lt. Gen. James Pillsbury, has said the project will generate enough electricity to power 487 homes and ultimately cut more than 163,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the environment.
Archibald said he expects a rush on solar systems once the city ordinance passes. He said his solar installation company is getting more calls each week than it used to get in a year.
Going solar isn't cheap. Archibald said a 5-kilowatt system capable of powering a typical 1,800-square-foot house costs about $20,000.
However, federal tax credits and grants can cut that amount almost in half, he said.
Source: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/07/here_comes_the_sun_huntsville.html
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