solar energy

The city's Climate Action Plan incorporates solar and renewable energy sources as a major strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One focus of the strategy is energy efficiency in the built environment, with a related goal calling for increasing alternative energy options in the city as a third step in energy efficiency actions after the lower-hanging fruit of changing behavior and weatherization (Goal EE2). Related measures include promoting installation of alternative energy facilities through zoning to allow small and medium-sized systems, requiring new nonresidential construction or conversions to meet half of modeled energy needs through on-site renewable generation or meet other energy-saving standards, requiring conduit installations for future solar energy systems, and promoting on-site renewable energy in new and existing projects, including multifamily and mixed use development (Measure 4.1); and reducing the cost of alternative energy installations through streamlining permit approvals and encouraging use of state and regional financial incentives (Measure 4.2).