Orange County NC Website
RES- 2015 -046 <br />K <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />Resolution of Support for Small Solar <br />Whereas, the widespread adoption of solar technology would reduce the necessity to build <br />additional nuclear or fossil -fuel generating plants with their attendant problems; and <br />Whereas, the County has endorsed the development of a pilot solar photovoltaic system <br />within its own County facilities; and <br />Whereas, the County's 2030 Comprehensive Plan establishes several goals and objectives <br />encouraging the development of alternative energy sources in accordance with applicable <br />land use regulations; and <br />Whereas, the price of small residential solar voltaic arrays has recently fallen and kits <br />containing all of the necessary electrical components have become readily available, and <br />Whereas, recent local efforts to promote the development of small residential solar have <br />been successful, including the Solarize Orange project which has resulted in new solar <br />installations on over 150 homes and small businesses across Orange County in 2014 and <br />2015; and <br />Whereas, the average residential solar array installed in Orange County over the past 2 <br />years is approximately 5 kilowatts, and solar installations up to 20 kilowatts are allowed as <br />an accessory use for a residential property; and <br />Whereas, Orange County has previously adopted comprehensive land use regulations in <br />order to distinguish the permit submittal and review process for small residential solar <br />projects and large, commercial, solar utility operations in an effort to further promote the <br />development of small residential solar facilities; and <br />Whereas, the County wishes to empower the residents of Orange County to take advantage <br />of these recent advances in this promising renewable energy technology; <br />Now Therefore, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, declare our support for <br />this technology and direct the County Manager and staff to encourage and facilitate its <br />adoption by individual residents. <br />This 15th day of September, 2015 <br />Attest: <br />Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board Earl McKee, Chair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />