In-Depth Policy Workshop Land Use Planning for Solar Energy Presented by the NY-Sun PV Trainers Network

In-Depth Policy Workshop Land Use Planning for Solar Energy Presented by the NY-Sun PV Trainers Network 1

About the PV Trainers Network The NY-Sun PV Trainers Network aims to lower the installation cost and expand adoption of solar PV systems throughout the state. training.ny-sun.ny.gov 2

NY-Sun Initiative Significantly expand installed solar capacity Attract private investment Enable sustainable development of a robust industry Statewide Goal of 3 GW $961 Million Total Budget Create well-paying skilled jobs Improve the reliability of the electric grid Reduce air pollution Make solar available to all New Yorkers that want it Stimulate the Market Place Reduce Soft Costs 3

About the PV Trainers Network Lead Organizations Supporting Organizations 4

PVTN Services Offered In-Depth Trainings Intro to Solar Policy Community Strategy Session Technical Assistance Resources 5

US Solar Market Value $16 $14 $12 Billion USD $10 $8 $6 $4 $2 $0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: SEIA/GTM Research 2009/2010/2011/2012/2013 Year in Review Report 6

Solar Job Growth in the US 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 SEIA Estimates The Solar Foundation 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: SEIA Estimates (2006-2009),The Solar Foundation s National Solar Jobs Census 2010 (2010),The Solar Foundation s National Solar Jobs Census 2013 (2011-2013). 7

NY State Solar Market 350 300 250 MW-DC 200 150 100 50 Annual Installed Capacity Cumulative Installed Capacity 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: 2007-2013 data: Sherwood, L. International Renewable Energy Council. U.S. Solar Market Trends Report: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013: http://www.irecusa.org/publications/ ; 2014 data: NYSERDA, LIPA Incentive Data, LI Solar Farm, NYPA & Con Edison 8

Value of Installed Solar in NY by Year $500,000,000 $450,000,000 $400,000,000 $350,000,000 $300,000,000 $250,000,000 $200,000,000 $150,000,000 $100,000,000 $50,000,000 $0 Solar installed since 2007 represents $1.76 billion for New York State economy 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013* * 2013 figures through 11/7/2013 based on NYSERDA and LIPA data Source: Data 2007-2012: International Renewable Energy Council; data 2013-2014 NYSERDA and LIPA 9

US Solar Costs $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $ per Watt $3.00 $2.00 Total Installed Cost $1.00 $- US Solar Cost Source: NREL 10

US Solar Costs $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $ per Watt $3.00 $2.00 Non-Hardware Cost Hardware Cost $1.00 $- US Solar Cost Source: NREL, LBNL 11

US Solar Costs $6.00 $5.00 $ per Watt $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 Profits, Taxes, & Overhead Column1 Non-Hardware Cost Hardware Cost $1.00 $- US Solar Cost Source: NREL, LBNL 12

US Solar Costs $6.00 $1.60 Solar Soft Costs $5.00 $1.40 Other Paperwork $ per Watt $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $ per Watt $1.20 $1.00 $0.80 $0.60 $0.40 Permitting & Inspection Column1 Non-Hardware Cost Financing Costs Hardware Cost Customer Acquisition $1.00 $0.20 Installation Labor $- US Solar Cost $0.00 German Solar Cost Source: NREL, LBNL 13

Why We Are Here Workshop Goal: To enable policymakers to replicate successful solar practices that reduce soft costs and expand local adoption of solar energy. 14

Your Trainers Today John Nolon Land Use Law Center Pace Law School jnolon@law.pace.edu (914)422-4262 Tiffany Zezula Land Use Law Center Pace Law School tzezula@law.pace.edu (914)422-4262 Jessica Bacher Land Use Law Center Pace Law School jbacher@law.pace.edu (914)422-4262 15

Who s in the room? A. Land Use Board member B. Planning staff C. Building Department staff D. Elected officials E. County government F. Solar industry G. Developer H. Property Owner I. Planners, Attorneys or other professional J. Community member K. Other

Are you familiar with --? A. Solar Planning B. Solar Regulation C. Solar Permitting D. Solar Financing E. Solar Technology

Agenda 11:30 12:00 12:00 12:15 12:15 12:45 Registration & Networking Lunch Introduction & Overview of NY Sun PV Trainers Network Role of Local Governments & Becoming a Solar Friendly Community 12:45 01:15 01:15 02:00 02:00 02:15 02:15 02:45 02:45 02:55 02:55 03:00 Policy Development Plan Making Break Community Engagement Next Steps Evaluation 18

Solar Technologies Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Hot Water Concentrated Solar Power 19

Scale Residence 5 kw Factory 1 MW+ Office 50 500 kw Utility 2 MW+ 20

Role of Local Government $0.17 Per watt 1,550+ local jurisdictions in NY With land use authority Source: NREL 21

Delegation of Authority: Local Governments 22

What are the top 3 benefits solar can bring to your community? A. Econ. Development & job creation B. Environ. & public health benefits C. Reduced & stabilized energy costs D. Energy independence & resilience E. Value to utility F. Community pride G. Other

Solar Friendly Communities Solar Friendly Characteristics: Policies and plans address solar Solar allowed in regulations Clear and reasonable requirements Protection for solar access Practical permitting and inspection processes Coordination with electric utility Public investment in solar resources 24

Solar Friendly Communities Resource: Planning for Solar Energy 25

Solar Friendly Communities Resource: solarcommunities.org 26

Solar Friendly Communities Resource: Solarroadmap.com 27

Solar Friendly Communities Resource: Planning for Solar Energy U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge II 28 Planning & Zoning Working Group Members CUNY LEAD Pace- Land Use Law Center City of Albany City of Ithaca City of Poughkeepsie City of Rochester City of Schenectady City of Syracuse City of White Plains Town of Clifton Park Town of Hempstead Town of South Hampton Village of Warwick Working Group DOE Deliverables Model NYS Solar Zoning Ordinance Promotes Solar Zoning Best Practices Supports solar friendly language Increases transparency Increases project conformity to local zoning ordinances NYS Solar Ombudsman Support Adoption

Solar Friendly Communities Federal State State & Utility Investment Tax Credit Accelerated Depreciation Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds 3 Steps to prepare for solar development: 1. Establish solar goals in planning process Tax Credits & 2. Rebates Loan Programs Exemptions Adopt solar code language 3. Define a clear & simple permitting process by adopting NYS Unified Solar Permit Net Metering Interconnection Standards CLEAN Contract Renewable Energy Certificates Local Planning & Zoning Permitting Financing Market Development 29

Policy Development Adopt a Resolution or Mayoral Proclamation that: Lists solar benefits and findings States intention to plan and regulate for solar Adopts a task force Authorizes research and studies Establishes a training program Authorizes an inter-municipal partnership Seeks state and federal funding and assistance 31

Policy Development Adopt a Resolution or Mayoral Proclamation 32

Policy Development Adopt a Task Force 33

Policy Development Authorize Studies 34

Activity: Solar in Your Community Part 1: Please look at the questions in the Developing Effective Solar Policies in Your Community handout. 35

Policy Development Establish a Training Program for Staff and Boards 36

Policy Development Partner with Adjacent Communities 37

Policy Development Leverage State & Federal Assistance and Grants Solar PV Programs & Incentives Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Program 38

Planning Process: Where Does Solar Fit? 40 Enabling solar adoption can help local governments meet planning goals: Economic development Energy Goals Climate resilience Public health Livable built environment

Plan Making Communitywide Comprehensive Plan Neighborhood Plans Corridor Plans Special District Plans Green Infrastructure Plans Energy Plan Climate Action Plan 41

Establish Goals Plan Making Comprehensive Plan Goals Objectives Strategies Implementation 42

Establish Goals Plan Making Goals Objectives Strategies Implementation What are the benefits solar can bring to your community? 43

Establish Goals Set Solar Specific Goals How closely does solar help meet existing community goals? What scales and contexts are appropriate? How much development is possible within the appropriate scales and contexts? 44

Establish Goals Is solar on residential rooftops appropriate in your community?

Establish Goals Is solar on commercial rooftops appropriate for your community?

Establish Goals Is solar on historic structures appropriate for your community?

Establish Goals Is solar on brownfields appropriate for your community?

Establish Goals Is solar on greenfields appropriate for your community?

Establish Goals Is building-integrated solar appropriate for your community?

Establish Objectives Plan Making OBJECTIVES Goals Objectives Strategies Implementation Statements of measurable midterm outcomes in furtherance of a certain goal 51

Establish Strategies Plan Making STRATEGIES Goals Objectives Strategies Implementation Actions to accomplish each objective. 52

Establish Strategies Plan Making Resource 53

Establish Strategies Plan Making Resource 54

Establish Strategies Plan Making Best Practice Examples Clifton Park, NY allow solar by special use permit Iola, KS & Ashland, OR solar access protections 55

Establish Strategies Plan Making Bedford, NY Best Practice Examples waive height limits for solar West Bloomfield, NY waive setbacks for solar Austin, TX, & Howard Co, MD allow solar in historic districts 56

Implementation Plan Making IMPLEMENTATION Goals Objectives Strategies Implementation An implementation plan: Designates the board or officials responsible for each strategy, Identifies necessary resources, and Establishes time periods for completing each action 57

Implementation Plan Making Comprehensive Plan Best Practice Example 58

Implementation Plan Making Comprehensive Plan Best Practice Example 59

Implementation Plan Making Subarea Plan Best Practice Example 60

Implementation Plan Making Functional Plan Best Practice Example 61

Implementation Plan Making Functional Plan Best Practice Example 62

Implementation Community Engagement 64

Stages of the Required Legal Planning Process 1 Plan Filed 2 Plan Reviewed 3 Public Hearing 4 Decision Announced

Minimum Requirements Legal Planning Process An impartial legislative council A fair, orderly, and open process Decision made is based on facts on the record

The Required Decision Making Process DOESN T prevent or avoid challenges from being made by the public DOESN T help create conversation between local boards and the affected public DOESN T reduce the possibility of opposition DOESN T get community support

Community Engagement 68

Supplementing the Process Advantages Saves time Better ideas and shared problem solving Builds relationships Satisfactory result Creates buy-in Range of interests considered Encourages future involvement Boosts confidence in government Increase compliance

Community Engagement Goal Primary Audience for Plan Purpose of Information Skills Role of Public Required Technical viable plan that conforms to all laws, rules and regulations Decision-makers Ensure the plan conforms to professional practice and passes technical review Technical (engineering, design, fiscal, legal) Input and Advice at Public Hearing Supplemental Technical viable plan that integrates stakeholder interests Decision-makers and stakeholders Ensure the plan is feasible and addresses stakeholders issues and concerns Technical, legal, and facilitation/community engagement Engage in discussion, join problem-solving 70

POSITIONS VS. INTERESTS What are POSITIONS? What are INTERESTS? Parties assertions, wants, demands, offers, and solutions A person s needs and concerns

Community Engagement Potential Competing Interests & Priorities 72

Community Engagement Principals of a Collaborative Approach: Engage Early Listen & Learn First Build on Interests, Not Positions Design an Effective Process Be Inclusive &Involve Many Be Transparent & Responsive Use a Skilled Facilitator 73

Community Engagement Process Design Outline Step 1: Define the Issue What are the benefits? What are the concerns? What are some strategies to overcome the concerns? 74

Community Engagement Process Design Outline Step 2: Identify Who Should Participate Municipal Officials HOAs Environmental Advocates Historic Preservation Advocates Developers Landowners & Farmers 75

Community Engagement Process Design Outline Step 3: Create a Positive Environment Distribute Detailed Agendas Establish Ground Rules Offer Refreshments Schedule Convenient Meeting Venues & Times Hold Multiple Meetings Distribute Meeting Summary Ask Who Else Should We Inform & Update? 76

Community Engagement Process Design Outline Tools to Engage Participants Interviews, Polls & Surveys & Hotlines Websites, Email, Social Media & Texting Focus & Advisory Groups Community Meetings Neighborhood Walks 77

Community Engagement Process Design Outline Step 4: Maintain & Continue to Open Lines of Communication 78

Next Steps In-Depth Trainings Intro to Solar Policy Community Strategy Session Technical Assistance Resources 80

Next Steps Facilitated dialogue to assist local decision makers in identifying market barriers, opportunities, solutions, and next steps to meeting goals In-Depth Trainings Intro to Solar Policy Community Strategy Session Technical Assistance Resources 81

Next Steps Intro to Solar Policy Quickly get up to speed on key solar policy issues: Developing a Solar Strategy. Land Use Planning for Solar Energy. Community Strategy Session Zoning for Solar Energy. Streamlining Solar Permits. Growing your Solar Market. Expanding Solar with PACE. Solar Procurement for Local Governments. In-Depth Trainings Technical Assistance Resources 82

Next Steps Intro to Solar Policy Targeted consulting to support implementation: Solar ordinance. Community Strategy Session Solar ready guidelines. Streamlined permitting. Smart permit fees. Engaging lenders. Solarize program. In-Depth Trainings Technical Assistance Resources 83

Next Steps In-Depth Trainings Intro to Solar Policy Community Strategy Session Technical Assistance Webinars. Podcasts. Toolkits. Model documents. Case studies. Resources 84