North East solar law is worth pursuing

Clean energy is a good thing. Saving energy, too, is a very good thing. Both can be obtained by pursuing solar power — which is exactly what the town of North East is hoping to do through a new solar law it’s considering.

The concept for a solar law was presented by Solar, Sign and Wind Committee Chairman Jon Arnason at a North East Town Board meeting held on Friday, April 20. Arnason’s group was formed at the recommendation of North East town Supervisor George Kaye, to examine how the town should regulate solar energy, wind energy and signs.

Arnason explained that the solar law proposed by his committee is based on a similar law in Rhinebeck, which sets certain requirements for solar systems. Solar systems are divided into three categories in the proposed law: roof-top solar systems or integrated solar systems, free standing or ground-mounted solar systems and solar farms or large installations generating electrical power to be fed into the grid.

While Arnason said he believes solar power is permitted, subject to either a building permit and inspection or a special-use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), both he and Kaye acknowledged there’s some confusion as to what’s allowed and what’s not. Regulations would help solve that.

Arnason also acknowledged issues “remain to be solved by the town,” like how large solar farms can be and if there are parts of town where they should be prohibited.

We’re so pleased the town is looking into this, and that the town supervisor took the initiative to pursue the issue. Solar energy is a renewable and nonpolluting way to power our towns, that “can prevent fossil fuel emissions and reduce a municipality’s energy load,” explains a draft of the proposed law. What’s not to like?

The benefits go beyond fighting global warming. Solar provides energy reliability, energy security and energy independence; solar power creates jobs; and solar power saves municipalities and property owners a lot of money. 

According to www.cleantechnica.com, “Putting solar PV panels on your roof is likely to save you tens of thousands of dollars. The average 20-year savings for Americans who went solar in 2011 were projected to be a little over $20,000. In the populous states of New York, California and Florida, the projected savings were over $30,000. In the sunny but expensive paradise known as Hawaii, the projected savings were nearly $65,000.”

And the savings go beyond the financial. We all know the burning of fossil fuels for energy is the number one source of global carbon dioxide emissions. Solar power, on the other hand, is practically zero emissions, according to www.homeguides.sfgate.com, though the construction of new utility-scale solar energy projects does result in some greenhouse gas emissions. 

But there’s no denying that going solar could help save our planet — and the fact the town of North East is trying to establish parameters for the community to work within so it can make use of such a clean energy source is commendable. We look forward to seeing how things progress, and take comfort in the fact that our local leaders are so forward thinking. 

Let’s face it: going solar — and creating laws that help support going solar — is a very bright idea.