State approaches to solar legislation: a survey
As recently as 1975, few states had enacted significant solar legislation. Since that time, the pace of consideration and passage of state statutes designed to encourage the application of solar technology has accelerated. A complex and significant body of state law has evolved. This article is a comprehensive survey of that body of state statutes through early 1979. Most such legislation falls into several broad categories. A large majority of the states have enacted financial incentives designed to stimulate solar energy use. Commonly, these incentives include special property tax treatment of solar systems, and income tax benefits to solar users. There are a wide variety of other tax provisions as well. Some states have loan or grant programs for solar installation. States have also attacked the problems of real estate law and land-use planning, which have often been seen as barriers to the use of solar technology, e.g., solar access and restrictive covenants and zoning. In addition to removing obstacles to solar energy use, the legislation of several states provides affirmative recognition of the potential of real property law to serve as a spur to solar development. The growing group of statutes governing building codes and performance, testing, and materials standards is also assessed. A number of states have legislated in the utility regulation field, attempting to affectthe important questions of the price for utility backup to solar systems, nondiscrimination, and cogeneration. Appendices give information on how to locate state solar statutes, and on state legislation promoting a variety of solar activities. 2 figures, 4 tables.
- OSTI ID:
- 5953683
- Journal Information:
- Sol. Law Rep.; (United States), Journal Name: Sol. Law Rep.; (United States) Vol. 1:1; ISSN SLRED
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
New initiatives in energy legislation. A state-by-state guide: 1979-1980. [Monograph]
State solar energy legislation of 1977: a review of statutes relating to buildings
Related Subjects
140400* -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
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