City of San Jose, CA Solar Roadmap
Roadmap Goals and Progress
The ASTI team has worked in close coordination with the City to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing guidance on how to transform the local solar market. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, examples, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.
These roadmap goals are derived from attributes of successful solar communities nationwide, along with input from industry experts. Each goal represents a step toward making solar easier and more cost effective for all residents within the community. Your specific roadmap has been customized using the attributes that are relevant at the city-level in the local solar market.
Expand each focus area below to show its related goals, and click the 'Take Action' button to access the relevant resources designed to help you achieve these goals.
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Planning & Zoning[Z1] Pursue Protection for Solar Rights and Access(0)
State laws provide limited protection for solar rights and solar access, but no local ordinances
[Z1-CA] Develop a Local Ordinance that Protects Solar Rights and Access(0)
No local ordinance for solar rights and access
Create local ordinances which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.
[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(0)
Statewide solar ready requirements for new construction (CA Title 24), but no local laws
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready.
[Z2 old] Solar Rights Law Enforcement(0)
[Z2-CA] Develop a Local Ordinance that requires Solar Ready Construction(0)
No local ordinance for solar-ready construction standards.
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require all new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready, which go beyond California's "solar zones" mandate in the 2013 Energy Code (Section 110.10). Starting July 1, 2014, the building codes will require certain new construction to pre-wire for solar.
[Z3] Require Solar on New Construction(0)
Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock
[Z3 old] Solar Easements Law(0)
[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(0)
[Z4-CA] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive, Energy or Climate Action Plans(0)
City of San Jose's Green Vision Plan promotes renewable energy development, including solar.
City currently at best practice-- see Goal 3 of the Green Vision Plan at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?NID=2948
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(0)
City currently at best practice.
[Z5-CA] Update Local Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(0)
[Z6] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations - Historic and Viewshed Areas(0)
City currently at best practice.
[Z6-CA] Update Local Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations - Historic and Viewshed Areas(0)
All structures are zoned to allow solar as a matter of right.
City currently at best practice.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(0)
State law protects against restrictive covenants.
Work with condo owner and homeowners associations to ensure that their covenant, conditions, and restrictions and bylaws do not create undue barriers to solar installations.
[PL 1-A] Address Solar in the Zoning Code and Adopt a Solar Ordinance(0)
[PL 2-A] Adopt a Solar Access Ordinance(0)
[PL 2-B] Engage Homeowners Associations(0)
[PL 3-A] Develop Solar Ready Guidelines(0)
[PL 3-B] Adopt a Solar Ready Ordinance(0)
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(0)
No such programs known to exist locally
Support the creation of a working group of community leaders and funding providers. This group would evaluate options and determine the most viable approach for aggregating residential solar based on best practices to date.
[M2] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Commercial Sector(0)
No such programs known to exist locally
Establish a working group of businesses and commercial property owners to leverage their solar purchasing power by aggregating facilities for solar evaluation and procurement to reduce energy costs while demonstrating community leadership.
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(0)
[M4 old] School Aggregation Program(0)
[M5] Make Solar Educational Resources Available to Customers(0)
[M6] Explore Installing Solar at Municipal Facilities, Including Landfill and Water Treatment Facilities(0)
No known solar at San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility.
Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites.
[M6a] Survey Brownfield Sites for Solar Development Opportunities(0)
No known solar development at local brownfield sites
Establish a working group to identify brownfield sites and solar development options within the City, following the best practices and case studies provided. Share information with market stakeholders.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(0)
Limited awareness of these resources locally
Provide online access to training programs and resources for the installer community and potential workforce and organize an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(0)
City provides online resources, including the Silicon Valley Energy Map.
City currently at best practice-- see the Silicon Valley Energy Map http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=1504
[M9] Publicize Innovative Solar Market Development Tools(0)
Limited awareness of these tools locally
Help promote the availability of innovative market development tools for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks
[M10] Explore Joining Clean Energy Action and Recognition Programs(0)
Not participating in any such programs currently
Establish a working group to explore options for setting clean energy goals for the community, including setting renewable energy development goals in long term planning documents or joining programs designed to encourage, support, and provide recognition for clean energy action.