Solar access is a property owner’s right to receive a certain amount of sunlight on their property. Solar Access Protection includes measures to provide legal protection through ordinances to property owners who invest in solar energy systems or design structures for solar performance.  

On-line Articles 

Community Solar Access, an Energy Savers Fact Sheet from DOE.

Tomorrow's Energy Today for Cities and Counties: Solar Access: A Winning Strategy, DOE

Many local communities are now enacting solar access protection ordinances. For examples of solar access protection ordinances and provisions, see Boulder, Colorado's Land Use Regulations, the City of Springfield Oregon's Development Code Solar Access Guarantee (pdf), or the City of Davis, California's Solar Access Easement.

The State of Minnesota Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires that all local comprehensive plans include "an element for the protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems." This requirement is discussed in the Metropolitan Council's Local Planning Handbook. Specific local applications can be found in the City of Cottage Grove (Minnesota) Comprehensive Plan 2020 Energy and Solar Access Element (pdf) and the Farmington, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan Solar Access Protection Element (pdf).

Last updated: December 20, 2004

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