La Plata County, CO
This webpage has been created to help improve local solar market conditions and share the latest industry information to residents and stakeholders in La Plata County. Below you will find key solar market indicators and essential resources for residents, businesses, solar industry and government officials. There is also a direct link to the County's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to ‘go solar’.
La Plata County is located on the southern border of Colorado. The County is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource.
Community Profile
Residential Solar Potential
Upgrade to LEADER plan to display your community's solar potential.Roadmap
The ASTI team has worked in close coordination with the County 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.
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2 of 4 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P1] Use a Standard Permit Application Form Specific to PV Systems(18)
Town typically does not require permits for PV systems
Be aware of standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects <10kW, and considering using if requesting permit applications for PV systems in the future.
[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)
Permit information, forms, and fees online. No solar specific info online.
Post information on the solar permitting and inspection process online in an easily accessible location. This should include the process flow, timelines, fees, point of contact, and any other pertinent information.If not required, simply include a specific note stating that solar permits are handled through DORA.
[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(85)
No fee is currently assessed
No fee is assessed for residential solar PV projects..
County currently at market best practice
[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
No fee is currently assessed
No fee is assess for commercial solar PV projects.
County currently at market best practice
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1 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(15)
No solar specific ordinaces for construction
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready
[Z3] Require Solar on New Construction(4)
No solar specific standards for new construction
Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock
[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(66)
Current (2001) does not have any language addressing solar
Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)
No reference to solar in land use code, no formal design review standards
Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations, such as setbacks, height limits and lot use provisions, do not restrict property owners' ability to install solar.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)
No ordinances creating a barrier to solar
The County does not have ordinances that create a barrier to solar.
County currently at market best practice
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1 of 2 Goals In Progress |
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[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
Minimal awareness of finance options now
Two local banks started offering solar loans as part of the Solarize La Plata campaign
The First National Bank of Durango provided a fixed term loan with low closing costs and First Southwest Bank provided a variable prime plus one percent rate with no closing costs.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Minimal awareness of these tools now
Consolidate and provide online tools for potential solar system buyers to evaluate and value solar projects for their homes and businesses.
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3 of 5 Goals In Progress 4 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No similar aggregations known to exist locally
Solarize program launched county-wide in 2013, over 260 applications received as of Jan 2014.
Learn more and find the program report at http://www.fourcore.org/Residential/Solarize.aspx
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
No similar aggregations known to exist locally
Consider collaborating with agencies across the region to aggregate government facilities, including municipal buildings and schools, for solar evaluation and cost-effective procurement to demonstrate leadership and reduce energy costs while strengthening the economy and environment.
[M6a] Survey Brownfield Sites for Solar Development Opportunities(12)
Possible development at uranium mill disposal site
The County is looking into developing some areas of the uranium mill disposal site.
Establish a working group to identify brownfield sites with solar potential across the County, following the best practices and case studies provided.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
Minimal level of information currently available
An outreach event was held in January 2013, with the Southwest Solar Industries Association being invited and attending, promoting local solar programs and resources.
There is a strong group of contractors in the region
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
Minimal level of information currently available
The Fourcore website now has extensive solar info online
Learn more at http://www.fourcore.org/
Resources
