Office of Planning Moves to Bring Solar Power to Every DC Neighborhood
✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.
Update: The Zoning Commission has approved the text amendment on an emergency basis for the next 120 days; a public hearing will be scheduled during that time for a vote on the permanent amendment.
Could solar power soon be readily available in every DC neighborhood?
Two weeks after a community solar installation was applied for in Ward 8, the Office of Planning (OP) is proposing to make similar projects by-right across the city.
OP has put forth an emergency text amendment which establishes what a "Community Renewable Energy Facility" (CREF), or Community Solar Energy System, is and also authorizes CREFs as matter-of-right in every zone in the city. A CREF is defined as a "facility used for the generation and subsequent assignment of renewable energy generated by a community solar energy system." Examples include roof-mounted solar arrays, ground-mounted solar arrays, and solar canopies.
story continues below
loading...story continues above
The zoning application cites the recent passage of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018, which sets a goal that the entire city will be using 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2032, as an impetus behind the proposal. Concurrently, the District Department of Energy and the Environment's Solar for All program aims to cut the energy bills of at least 100,000 low-income households in half by the end of 2032.
CREFs would be exempt from being considered a "utility" use and will not factor into mechanical equipment measurements atop garages. In residential zones, CREFs would still be required to adhere to the existing height and yard standards.
See other articles related to: dc office of planning, dc solar panels, office of planning, renewable energy, solar energy, solar panel, solar panels, solar power, zoning changes, zoning code, zoning commission
This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/office-of-planning-proposes-option-of-community-solar-for-all/14988.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever
Today, we take a closer look at home insurance.... read »
Monument Realty and Mosaic Realty Partners redevelopment plans for a surface parking ... read »
A new report shows that apartment rents rose ever so slightly in DC over the last yea... read »
Plans to convert a downtown DC office building into a large apartment project continu... read »
Another missing middle development has been proposed along Brookland's main throughfa... read »
- A Look at What is Covered By Home Insurance
- 235-Unit Development With Public Park Pitched For Downtown Bethesda Looks To Move Forward
- A Snapshot Of Apartment Rents Across The DC Area
- 400-Unit Office-To-Residential Conversion Pitched in DC's West End Heads To BZA
- From One Home to 9 Apartments Along Brookland's Main Drag
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro