Town of Crested Butte, CO
This webpage has been created to help improve local solar market conditions and share the latest industry information to residents and stakeholders in the Town of Crested Butte. 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 Town's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to ‘go solar’.
Crested Butte is located in the East River Valley. The Town 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 Solar Roadmap team has worked in close coordination with the Town 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)
No standard form for PV, typically permitted in conjunction with larger construction projects
When reviewing and issuing solar PV permits, consider using a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects.
[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)
Extensive general, permitting, fees and inspection information online, but not solar specific info
Post information on the solar permitting and inspection process online in an easily accessible location. This should include the process steps, timelines, fees, point of contact, and any other pertinent information.
[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..
Town 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.
Town currently at market best practice
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3 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 mandates 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)
Provisions in Town Code 17-7-160 to protect solar access in subdivisions.
Town Code has provisions for solar.
Town currently at best practice.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)
Solar friendly zoning ordinances. Solar allowed by right in all zones, subject to design guidelines
Solar friendly zoning ordinances. Solar allowed by right in all zones, subject to design guidelines
Town currently at market best practice in regards to zoning ordinances. Ensure ordinances that govern solar installations, such as setbacks, height limits and lot use provisions, do not restrict property owners' ability to install solar. Consider explicitly adding solar as a land use type permitted by right in all zones.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)
No ordinances creating a barrier to solar
The Town does not have ordinances which create a barrier to solar.
Town currently at market best practice
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0 of 2 Goals Not Started |
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[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
Some awareness of finance options now within the community
Help create awareness of regional solar finance options to increase visibility and understanding by residents. This could be accomplished through the Town website, periodic communications such as a newsletter or in person via existing meetings/networks.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Minimal awareness of these tools now
Help market the availability of online tools for potential solar system buyers to evaluate and value solar projects for their homes and businesses. This could be accomplished through the Town website, periodic communications such as a newsletter or in person via existing meetings/networks.
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0 of 4 Goals Not Started |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No similar aggregation programs currently exist locally
Support the creation of a working group of community leaders and funding providers to evaluate aggregated purchasing options for residential solar based on successful case studies.
[M2] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Commercial Sector(6)
No similar aggregation programs currently exist locally
Support the creation of a working group of businesses and property owners to aggregate their facilities and buying power for solar evaluation and procurement to decrease energy costs while demonstrating their leadership.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
No solar industry training program currently
Provide online access to regional and statewide standards and best practices as a resource to the installer community, and organize an outreach/training event to generate awareness and understanding.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
No market outreach and education programs currently
Help promote the availability of online tools and resources, provide online as a resource to the consumer market (residential and commercial), and organize an outreach/training event to generate awareness and understanding across the community.
Resources
