Boulder's Eternal Sunshine

Here's a bright idea. You've heard of protecting open space - farms and forests and the like. Well, Boulder, Colo. (Pop. 91,685) is protecting open air space. The idea is to maintain the free flow of sunlight onto the south-facing walls of many of the city's buildings, so they can reap the benefits of passive solar energy now and preserve the option of installing photovoltaic panels later. Using the sun to help light and heat buildings is an old idea that was largely forgotten during the nation's long suburban building craze. With sun streaming in from the south during the winter, properly oriented windows can help homes save significant energy. Boulder's "solar access" law restricts the height of buildings, so they don't shadow neighbors to the south. Boulder has been uniquely positioned to take advantage of local, state and federal incentives that make installing solar panels more affordable. "We have seen a tremendous spike in the last two years," said Chris Toebe, a project specialist in the city's planning department. While many states and cities allow for voluntary easements to protect solar access, Boulder's law has teeth. "There were people who had to chop off parts of their roofs," said Steve Pomerance, who drafted the city's law as a councilman in the 80s. "One of the spin-off benefits is that it quantified how much sun you deserve, so to speak. You have a legitimate gripe if someone builds in the excess of the solar access permit." The ordinance has been on the books for about 25 years, but it remains one of only a half dozen of its kind around the country. That could change. Boulder planners presented information about their ordinance to an audience of more than 300 at the American Planning Association conference this month. The Innovators The Daily Green highlights innovative strategies being used to better the environment. For more innovators, click these links: Plymouth's Local Food Web Chicago's Green Roof Revolution Clean Mobility in the Twin Cities