The city council finds that due to present and anticipated costs
and uncertain availability of conventionally-produced energy supplies,
the public health, safety and welfare will be served by requiring
installation of solar water heating systems as defined herein. Affected
properties will benefit during the useful life of such systems through
reduced consumption of energy for domestic purposes. The city council
further finds that installation and operation of solar heating systems
as defined herein will be cost-effective, within the meaning of California
Public Resources Code Section 25402.1.
(Ord. 2020-81 § 1)
"Solar water heating system"
shall mean any solar collector or other solar energy device
or arrangement of devices, the primary function of which is to collect,
store and distribute solar energy for heating water used for domestic
purposes.
"Residential buildings"
shall mean buildings designed for occupancy by one or more
families, whether in detached or multiple-family attached configurations.
No distinction shall be made between rental, ownership or other forms
of tenancy, for purposes of this chapter.
"Primary means of heating"
shall mean designed to heat to at least one hundred twenty
degrees (Fahrenheit) a minimum of fifty-one percent of that average
amount of domestic hot water predicted for residential structures
of similar size and type, as specified in those "Energy Conservation
Standards for New Residential Buildings," as amended, promulgated
by the California Energy Commission pursuant to applicable provisions
of the California
Public Resources Code. The chief building official
is authorized and directed to provide current copies of such formulae
and standards as may be required by affected applicants for permits.
(Ord. 2020-81 § 1)
The director of community development may grant an exemption
from the requirements contained in this chapter when any of the following
conditions exist:
(a) Lack of solar access: When topographic conditions, adjacent structures
(or probable adjacent development allowed by existing zoning), existing
trees on or surrounding the residential site, or location of the solar
collection system preclude effective use of a solar energy system
due to shading; or
(b) Not cost-effective: Solar water heating is not cost-effective for
the owner if the present value lifecycle cost, as established annually
by the city, over twenty years for solar water heating is greater
than that for any other commercially available water heating technology
which is or shall be used at the site.
(Ord. 2020-81 § 1; Ord. 2242-88 § 1)