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Solving Tucson's Solar Land Use Challenges through Zoning Modifications

This conference summary highlights Tucson's journey in solar energy adoption from small projects to large installations like solar farms. It discusses the utilization of city land, zoning changes, and specific projects like the Plaza del Sol PV project. The presentation by Bruce Plenk, the Solar Energy Coordinator for the City of Tucson, sheds light on how zoning modifications facilitated the development of solar projects on unused city land and closed landfills. Through new land use codes, the city allowed for solar farm applications in various zones with increased public involvement as potential conflict levels rose. Case studies like the Plaza del Sol PV project exemplify successful implementation under the revised zoning regulations. This holistic approach aims to address solar land use issues effectively, paving the way for more sustainable energy practices in Tucson.

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Solving Tucson's Solar Land Use Challenges through Zoning Modifications

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  1. Solving a Solar Land Use Issue Bruce Plenk, City of Tucson Solar Energy Coordinator AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  2. 2011 Tucson Solar Summary • Tucson’s first 10 Years of Solar- 1999-2009- mostly small projects • 5% solar in new city buildings; solar ready ordinance. • 2009 Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) projects- 1 MW. • 2011 CREBs/CDP projects: 2MW+ • CAVSARP PPA-1MW • City leases for FRV and NRG Solar Farms-50 MW total AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  3. Older solar projects on city buildings Pennington Street Garage Shaded Parking - 64 kW Fire Station #22 –LEED Gold Adaptive Recreation Center - Solar pool heating Solar lights at dog park AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  4. 2009 CREBs Project Sites AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  5. 2009 CREBS Project Details • 7 sites (4 roof and 3 ground) - 23 kW to 475 kW; total 1 MW (200 home systems) • 4614 traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels plus 260 Solyndra panels • Single axis trackers for ground mounted systems • Matched system size with roof space & electrical load El Pueblo AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  6. 2009CREBSProjects Roger Road Reclaimed Water Reservoir110 kW El Pueblo 97 kW ballasted system AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  7. Solyndra panel close-up- a new kind of solar panel & in the news!! AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  8. 2011 CREBs/CDP plans AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  9. So far so good, but… • All of the early solar projects and the CREBs projects were accessory uses to existing buildings, so no zoning issues • Zoning official had ruled that commercial solar facilities were generating plants AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  10. The Problem-Good land, bad zoning • Large plots of unused city land • Closed City landfills Zoning of closed landfills: R-1, R-2, SR, RX-1 AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  11. Why it mattered • TEP 2009 RFP for wholesale power looking for sites for large solar farms near distribution lines and close to customers • Solar developers looking for land close to transmission lines too • City of Tucson Land Use Code only allowed a generating system for the production of energy in Industrial Zones • Closed landfills in various other zones, thus not available for solar!! AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  12. 2010 Land Use Code changes • New definition of Renewable Energy Generation (LUC 6.3.12.3) which includes solar, wind, landfill gas, etc • Established process for application for solar farms in most zones, with increasing levels of notice and hearing as move from Industrial to Commercial to Residential AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  13. 2010 Land Use Code changes • Basic premise: more public involvement in zones with more potential conflict • Industrial zones: Permitted use subject to performance criteria • Commercial zones: Limited Notice Procedure (staff review + opportunity for hearing upon request) • Residential zones: Full notice and hearing AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  14. First case under new code-Plaza del Sol PV Project • Ordinance adopted June, 2010 • Special Exception Use Zoning sought per revised City Ordinances • Zoning Examiner hearing Dec 9, 2010 • Zoning Examiner decision Dec 16, 2010 recommending approval • Construction started late Dec 2010 AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  15. A large mobile home community with master meter and unused land AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  16. Plaza del Sol PV project AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  17. Project details: 630 kW; single axis trackers Meets 20% of mobile home community’s electrical load On-line May 2011 Financed with help of TEP REC purchase and §1603 grant Next?? Plaza Del Sol PV Project AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  18. Contact Information • Bruce Plenk, Solar Energy Coordinator • (520) 837-6322, bruce.plenk@tucsonaz.gov Soaring Heights Project at Davis-Monthan AFB AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

  19. Questions &Comments ? AZ APA Conference September 29, 2011

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