Providing solar access: using restrictive covenants and solar envelopes in planning solar subdivisions. Case studies

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6891514

Stangl, D

Solar access - the prevention of shading of a solar collecting surface - remains the primary legal issue involved in implementing widespread use of solar energy. This case study discusses the planning of two solar subdivisions in the State of Nebraska and the use of restrictive covenants and solar envelopes to provide solar access protection. To date, there are basically three legal mechanisms which can be used to provide legal protection for solar access: zoning regulations, easements, and restrictive covenants. Zoning regulations have been enacted in only a handful of communities. Easements are rarely used to provide solar access protection for subdivisions. Restrictive covenants in new subdivisions offer the greatest potential for providing specific long-term protection for solar access. In the hands of far-sighted developers and planners, entire neighborhoods can be planned from the beginning to provide maximum solar access. Properly planned and developed now, these subdivisions will provide continued access for decades to come. In developing restrictive covenants for solar access, of primary concern is defining precisely which areas of the subdivision are protected from shading. The concept of solar envelopes - a three-dimensional space defined on a particular lot within which buildings can be built and vegetation grown while not shading the collecting surfaces on surrounding lots - proved to be very practical and workable in these subdivisions.

• OSTI ID: 6891514
• Report Number(s): CONF-820629-Vol.5-Pt.2
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140400* -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
COMMUNITIES
ENFORCEMENT
LEGAL ASPECTS
PLANNING
PLANTS
RIGHTS-OF-WAY
SOLAR ACCESS
ZONING