SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM DESIGN GUIDELINES & SOLAR RECOGNITION PROGRAM Solar Energy System Design Guidelines..How to Use These Guidelines ARE THE GUIDELINES MANDATORY OR VOLUNTARY? These guidelines are generally voluntary. They are not intended to prohibit, restrict or condition the use of any solar energy system for aesthetic reasons nor do they mandate solar energy use. The City encourages thoughtful consideration of these guidelines to achieve the goals …

Purpose of These Guidelines These guidelines provide guidance to property owners, architects, contractors and others who may be interested in using solar energy in their buildings. The guidelines include general principles as well as specifi c techniques for designing solar energy systems that can take advantage of solar energy. The purpose of these guidelines is to achieve the following goals: • Encourage solar energy system installation designs which are compatible with their neighborhood and which preserve the City’s historic and visual resources. • Implement the Solar Recognition Program to publicly recognize high-performance, aesthetically designed solar installations which voluntarily comply with these guidelines. • Promote early design consideration for integration of solar energy systems into new structures, additions and reroof projects….. INTRODUCTION The City of Santa Barbara enjoys an average of 300 sunny days per year. This sunny weather makes Santa Barbara well-suited for environmentally friendly solar energy use. Energy conservation and solar energy use are integral to sustainable building. The City encourages aesthetically designed solar energy use to protect and enhance the natural environment. Solar energy benefits include natural environment preservation and energy independence and security. Government rebates and tax incentives increase solar energy system affordability. Both photovoltaic systems, which produce electricity, and solar thermal systems, which heat air or water, are discussed in these guidelines. Million Solar Roofs Million Solar Roofs is a federal initiative with a goal of solar energy systems to be installed on one million roofs in the U.S. by the year 2010. The City of Santa Barbara participates in the Million Solar Roofs Partnership in Santa Barbara County. The Partnership brings together business, government, the energy industry, and community organizations to further solar initiatives. One barrier to solar energy use identified by the Santa Barbara County Million Solar Roofs Partnership is that the panelized design of solar electric systems is often not considered compatible with existing community aesthetic standards and architectural requirements. This document encourages solar energy systems by providing specific guidance on how to create solar energy systems with positive aesthetic qualities. Also, the Solar Design Recognition Program within these guidelines provides a way to publicly recognize high-performing, aesthetically designed solar projects.

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