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Policy Guidance for Regulating Solar Energy Systems' <br /> Department of Energy Resources <br /> Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs <br /> March 2014 <br /> [7hzs Guidance,along ivtth the companion Model Zoning for the Regulation of Solar Energy <br /> {System wasprepaYed Uy a consultant htz ed byhe 1Yl assachtsetts Depaz tment of Energy Resources` <br /> E(DOER)to assist cttLes==and towns throughoutMassachusetts zn estalzlas`12ng easonable standai ds to i <br /> faczlttate development of�mall- medium and large scale ground zrtounted and roof_-mounted solar. <br /> energy systems OORR ac this Gutda#ce represents our own understandtng of <br /> state law and has made eves effort to cat efri-- -research this zsstce-While DOUR Ifelteve ,out <br /> trzterpretataon zs reasonable,we antzcipatedt Zocatnuntctpal couselJnay�offer;a different .a <br /> tntetpretatzon aril that contnatnzttes vtll neerZto consoler these alternattvesmovtng fotnvart7 Itzs-_2 <br /> fhzghly Yecoznmended"that any,local regulatozy language developed fi om this Guidance be z evzewed , <br /> The Problem <br /> Today,people are searching more than ever for ways to cut their personal energy consumption <br /> costs. More broadly,as awareness of problems associated with greenhouse gas(GHG) <br /> emissions continues to increase,there is more demand for locally-based renewable energy <br /> sources as alternatives to burning imported fossil fuels. Small-,medium-and large-scale <br /> ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar energy systems,both photovoltaic and solar thermal, <br /> are increasing in popularity across the state and are proving to be a viable source of renewable <br /> energy.3 As the installation of these systems has become more widespread,local officials are <br /> asking how or whether these systems should be regulated. Can we regulate height, aesthetics,or <br /> 1 This material is based upon work supported by the U.S.Department of Energy under Award Number DE- <br /> EE0005692.This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States <br /> Government.Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof,nor any of their employees,makes any <br /> warranty,express or implied,or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy,completeness,or <br /> usefulness of any information,apparatus,product,or process disclosed,or represents that its use would not infringe <br /> privately owned rights.Reference herein to any specific commercial product,process,or service by trade name, <br /> trademark,manufacturer,or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,recommendation,or <br /> favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.The views and opinions of authors expressed <br /> herein do not-necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. <br /> 2 This material was prepared by the Horsley Witten Group. <br /> 3 For the purposes of this guidance,large-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems are those that'are at least <br /> 40,000 square feet in area or over 250 kW of energy production. DOER chose this threshold because solar energy <br /> systems larger than this size would often be a primary use(i.e.,power generation),rather than accessory to a home <br /> or other use.The model zoning associated with this guidance further defines small-scale systems as those that <br /> occupy 1,750 square feet of surface aredor less(equivalent to a rated nameplate capacity of about IOkW)and <br /> medium-scale systems as those that occupy more than 1,750 but less than 40,000 square feet of surface area <br /> (equivalent to a rated nameplate capacity of 10-250 kW).For the purposes of local regulation,communities may <br /> want to change the dividing line between what they call"small","medium",or"large"systems depending on local <br /> conditions and opportunities. <br /> - 1 - <br />