Density Bonus for Installation of Solar Energy Systems

• Author: Gabby Gelozin
• Pages: 52-55

52 Sustainable Development Code: Climate Change

DENS ITY BON US F OR

INSTALL ATIO N OF SOL AR

ENER GY SYSTEM S

Gabby Gelozin (author)

Darcie White, Sara Bronin, Brett DuBois, & Jonathan Rosenbloom (editors)

INTRODUCTION

Solar power is increasingly popular a nd aordable for residential use.1 A

majority of the residential installations in recent years have been on mid-

dle-cla ss homes.2 Providing density bonuses in exchange for installing solar

energy systems encourages the growth of green energy while mitigating

sprawl. Density bonuses are an “incentive-based tool that permits a devel-

oper to increase the maximum a llowable development on a site in exchange

for either funds or in-kind support for specied public policy goals.”3 e

most popular type of density bonus is an of-right incentive.4 is ty pe of

incentive grants the density bonus if the developer provides a set amount

of the specied public interest, such as installing solar panels.5 Loca l gov-

ernments can apply this type of incentive to solar power by granting den-

sity bonuses to developers if a certain portion of the new development gets

its power from solar or renewable energy.6 Local governments can create a

tiered system where the more solar or renewable energy installed (measured

by energy output or percentage of energy needed on-site), the higher the

density bonus. ese ordinances require local governments to determine the

proper incentive and the corresponding property requirements. ese ordi-

nances may also require certication or review prior to receiving a certicate

of oc cup anc y.

EFFECTS

Solar energy can provide numerous benets once installed. Such benets

include low maintenance costs and an increase in home value.7 Solar panels

can add an average of approximately 20,000 dolla rs to the value of a home.8

is increase in value benets both t he developer when they sell the house

and the loc al government when they col lect propert y taxes.