Ordinance No. 19400 - Laserfiche WebLink

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citizens, As indicated i n the summary provided to the Planning Commission by staf f enti tl ed "Solar Access Protection -Summary of Economic Rationale" : ~1} A BPA funded study found that the potential energy savings from installation of solar energy systems i n existing metro area housing would be nearly 22 percent of the area's resi denti a1 needs. Based on 1985 electricity prices, this could be over $9 mi ]lion annually; t2y A 1983 survey by Lane County found that 75 percent of those surveyed were interested in solar energy systems, and over 18 percent of those planned to buy a system within the following two years, Given the degree of interest, i t i s important to insure those investments in solar energy systems are protected; ~3~ Research has also indicated that a vast majority of homes in the metro area benefit from solar access by default. That is to say, a typi cal home saves from 5 percent to ~0 percent of its space heating needs because of solar radiation that falls upon the roof, walls and windows. The economic value of this incidental solar benefit to Eugene i s estimated to be over $800, 000 annually. Con- versely, aSolar Study funded by BPA found that only 44 percent of the residences in the metro area have clear solar access to their south-facing walls and 65 percent clear access to the roofs. The value of this lost solar development potential to single family housing was estimated to be over $7 million annually; and ~4~ Analyses developed by the Northwest Power Planning Council and E~1EB have determined that passive solar buildings offer .the most cost-effective means for meeting energy efficiency standards. F. The proposed amendments are also consistent with adopted energy con- servati an goals, including Goal 1 of the Energy Element of the Eugene- Ordinance - 2