A few years ago, a doctor in Valdosta applied for a variance for solar panels over his parking lot. The Zoning Board of Approvals (ZBOA) tabled it, because Valdosta’s Land Development Regulations (LDR) did not permit that. I think he then made the panels connected to his building, which put them a different and already-permitted category.
What if Valdosta and other local governments updated their codes to enable parking lot and other solar power?
When:
4-6PM Monday, March 12, 2018
Where:
National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Library (NESPAL)
2356 Rainwater Road, Tifton, GA 31793
Event: eventbrite
What: “The Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and University of Georgia have come together to develop a model solar zoning ordinance to provide county and city officials and other decision-makers in Georgia access to best practices and a common baseline from which to work. We will produce a comprehensive document that addresses multiple scales and types of solar energy systems that counties and cities can adopt and adapt to their needs.”
More about the event:
“To ensure transparency and neutrality in developing the model ordinance, we have scheduled a series of public meetings to give all interested parties a voice in the process. We welcome your attendance at any and all of the meetings, where we will solicit your input on the draft ordinance, and discuss the opportunities, concerns, and envisioned outcomes. These meetings will also introduce the Renewable Energy Technical Assistance Program (ReTAP) a USDA funded program at the University of Georgia which provides technical assistance and education to individuals, businesses and communities interested in deploying solar and other renewable energy projects.”
There are two other workshops, four hours away in Savannah and Atlanta. Tifton is much closer.
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Here’s the NREL solar resource map for Florida:
Comparing it with the Georgia one, it looks like Georgia has more sun. But that’s only because the scales are different. This detail from a national NREL map found on Georgia Power shows south Georgia and north Florida have similar amounts of sun, with more in southwest Florida.
Thanks to Tim Carroll for the tip.
-jsq
Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!
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