City Council to Consider Solar Energy Incentives

In an effort to help homeowners conserve energy, the City Council is considering adopting incentives for builders to incorporate solar energy systems into new residential construction.

Council members this week directed city planners to devise a proposal containing several such incentives. A comprehensive plan is expected to come before the council for debate this summer.

One proposal would ease restrictions requiring that roof-mounted solar equipment on multifamily units be screened so that it cannot be seen by neighbors.

Planners say only four property owners in the city have installed solar panel systems this year in response to the energy crisis--a number they would like to increase substantially.