The Loma Prietan
September/October 2003
Solar Power: Urban Conflicts Close to Home
by Barry Cinnamon, President, Akeena Solar
Rooftop solar power is key to our country's energy future, just as overhead electric wires powered our homes in the 20th century and chimneys kept us warm before then. The advantages of clean, renewable, distributed generation power are obvious. And our State's support of these energy sources--both financially (through rebates and tax credits) and legally (with California's Solar Rights Act)--are substantial. But surprisingly, local barriers still exist that inhibit the widespread use of these technologies.
Locally, the town of Los Gatos has created such a barrier. They recently decided by a 5-0 vote to continue their policy of requiring that solar panels be completely hidden from view from the street. This is, in effect, a restriction on clean energy, and may discourage many homeowners from switching to solar, due to the increased complications and costs of having to install solar panels in a "hidden" area.
The Los Gatos leaders are discouraging the installation of solar panels because they don't like the way it looks. Aesthetics appear to be the issue. But clean power does not have to be ugly. To many people, existing solar technology is good enough. Tens of thousands of people are proud of the space-age blue and silver solar electric modules they have on their roofs. Moreover, new buildings are constructed with integrated solar electric systems that function as the roof membrane itself. Black frame and triangular modules are becoming available that blend in with the existing roof line.
How should we as a community react to explicit or implicit restrictions on clean energy? These practical restrictions are exactly what California's Solar Rights Act was intended to address--preserving some degree of local control while still considering global energy issues. If aesthetics are the priority, who gets to decide what looks good and what looks bad? And when should regional power needs overrule local aesthetic considerations?
We at Akeena Solar are very interested in finding ways in which we can get the power we need in an environmentally and aesthetically friendly way. Our immediate inclination is to stand up to selfish local barriers to clean power, but we also want to be sensitive to local zoning regulation. If you have suggestions on practical ways that we can encourage our local, state and federal governments to make these compromises, please contact us at www.akeena.net or 408/395-7774.
What you can do
Write the Los Gatos City Council. Let them know what a poor decision this was! Address letters to:
Los Gatos City Council
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95031