CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: April 7, 2020
Agenda Date: April 22, 2020
Prepared By: Nancy A. Bunt, Community Services Director
Through: Matt Fuhrer, Interim City Manager
Requested Action:
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Seek Council direction on the temporary waiver of building permit fees related to the installation of solar photovoltaic and thermal systems previously approved by City Council.
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BACKGROUND:
On May 8, 2019, Council approved Resolution 2019-032 providing for a temporary waiver of building permit fees related to the installation of solar photovoltaic and thermal systems for a period of one year; expressing the City's support for the Solar United Neighbors of Florida (FL SUN) Initiative of the League of Women Voters and the intention of the City to partner with those organizations to further adoption of solar energy in the City and Brevard County. The City assisted by:
* Promoting the FL SUN information meeting on May 22, 2020 about solar energy to increase interest in renewable energy and help recruit co-op members and/or help promote other FL SUN informational meetings, and
* Providing information about the FL SUN co-op partnership opportunities on the City's website and in the City's newsletter.
Solar energy is a renewable energy source. An increasing number of residential and commercial property owners are therefore making significant investments in solar electric systems. Solar cells do not require much maintenance once brought up to their maximum efficiency and are considered quiet collectors. Unlike other energy sources, energy harvested from solar radiation by photovoltaic systems is clean energy, they produce no noise, can be very reliable, and can last longer than most other energy sources. The cost of installing photovoltaic systems and thermal systems serving individual residential and business properties is approaching parity with the cost of centrally generated electrical power obtained through the electrical grid.
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