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Develop your Community’s Solar Energy Resources: Attend a Planning, Zoning & Permitting Workshop – Brainerd

December 12, 2012 @ 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Develop your Community’s Solar Energy Resources: Attend   a Planning, Zoning & Permitting Workshop
We invite you to attend one of five free events to learn about   solar energy best practices in planning, zoning, and permitting, as well as   the free assistance available through the Minnesota Solar Challenge for   implementing them.  See dates & locations >> 

Many   communities agree that renewable energy is important for the future. But has   your community really assessed its local renewable energy resources? Is solar   energy addressed in your comprehensive plan, your development regulation, and   your economic development priorities? What standards does your community use   to balance                                                                          between productive   renewable energy resources and protecting community character? What is   “distributed generation” and why should planners and building officials care?

 

Every   community has a solar energy resource. Solar installation costs are rapidly   coming down, and solar energy systems are coming soon to your community. But   most local governments have little experience with renewable energy from a   land use or economic development perspective. This workshop will review the   rapidly evolving world of community-scale solar energy markets, technologies,   and regulation, with a special emphasis on addressing renewable energy   resources in plans, development regulation, and building code permitting.

 

These workshops will address:

  • Market trends in solar energy and solar energy        technologies
  • The hows and whys of addressing solar resources in local        plans and policies
  • The different technologies for harvesting local renewable        energy and how different technologies can create different        considerations in development regulation and permitting requirements
  • Steps for local governments to encourage the development        of a local solar energy market by removing barriers and limiting        uncertainty
  • What potential conflicts might arise from solar energy        installations, and distinguishing between real and perceived nuisances
  • Opportunities for local renewable energy incentives to        meet your sustainability, economic development, or energy independence        goals

Who   should attend? Elected and   appointed officials, planners and zoning administrators, building and   inspections administrators, sustainability staff

 

Cost: Free!

Dates, Times &   Locations:

 

 Rochester Workshop 

Thursday, November 29, 2012: 12:30-4:00pm

RSVP   now >>

 

 Statewide Webinar 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012: 9:00-10:30am

RSVP now >>

 

 Brainerd Workshop 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012: 12:30-4:00pm

RSVP   now >>

 

 Duluth Workshop 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013: 12:30-4:00pm

RSVP   now >>

 

 Saint Paul Workshop 

Wednesday, February 6, 2013: 12:30-4:00pm

RSVP   now >>

 

 

To learn   more, visit http://mncerts.org/solarchallenge
What   is the Minnesota Solar Challenge? The   Minnesota Solar Challenge provides support for communities across Minnesota   that may be interested in capturing the benefit of their local solar   energy resource. Minnesota Solar Challenge partners will work with   communities across Minnesota until February 2013 to implement local   government best practices in permitting and zoning. The project   aims to create a mature solar energy industry and create opportunities   for homeowners and businesses to more effectively use their solar energy   resource.Who’s behind this effort? The   local government team working on the Minnesota Solar Challenge is comprised   of the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, CR Planning, Clean Energy   Resource Teams, Minnesota Department of Commerce, League of Minnesota   Cities, and Metropolitan Council, among others. The Minnesota Solar Challenge   is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the   Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.

Details

Date:
December 12, 2012
Time:
12:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Venue

Organizer