ENERGIZED: City gets ‘proactive' as it lays out regs for solar, wind generation systems in Destin

During Tuesday night’s city council meeting, city leaders discussed the regulation and use of alternative energy systems in Destin.

“We are trying to prepare the city best for things that are not currently here, but might be coming in the future,” Community Development Director Ken Gallander told The Log. “It’s a very comprehensive ordinance.”

The city’s proposed ordinance would allow for the use of small-scale energy generation systems such as solar panels and wind turbines as an accessory use in all zoning districts. The city currently has no regulations to this effect.

City documents say the ordinance was designed to “protect and promote public health, safety, community welfare and the aesthetic quality of the city, while encouraging the use of alternative energy sources for their environmental, cost savings and sustainability benefits.”

Small-scale solar systems are defined as, according to city documents, a solar collection system consisting of one or more roof and/or ground mounted solar collector devices and solar related equipment. The system is only considered small-scale if it supplies electrical or thermal power solely for on-site use.

According to the website solarhome.org, solar power is the ultimate renewable energy source whether you're an eco-minded consumer or practical individualist. It also states that Florida is home to the largest photovoltaic power plant in North America — the DeSoto Next Generation Energy Center. The plant consists of more than 90,000 solar panels.

Small-scale wind systems are defined as, according to city documents, a wind energy conversion system consisting of a wind turbine, tower and associated control or conversion electronics, which has a rated capacity of less than or equal to 10 kilowatts and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power. The system is only considered small-scale if it supplies electrical power solely for on-site use, just as with the solar generation system.

According to the American Wind Energy Association’s website, wind energy is now one of the most cost-effective sources of new electricity generation, competing with new installations of other energy sources in wind-rich regions. And utilities can lock in wind energy prices for 20 to 30 years because the fuel is free.

It also noted that wind power has added 35 percent of all new generating capacity to the U.S. power grid since 2007, “twice what coal and nuclear added combined.”

The city would only allow for one unit to be placed on a business or residential home and it must be properly permitted and approved by the city staff.

While he said these alternative energy systems might not be “gaining a lot of steam” locally, Gallander said they are becoming more and more common in other states.

While he said that everyone was probably in favor of this ordinance, Councilman Dewey Destin wanted to know if the city was making it more likely or not that alternative energy systems could come to Destin.

“Are we in fact encouraging it?” he asked.

“I don’t think we are stifling it,” Gallander responded.

When The Log asked if any businesses or residents have inquired about possibly adding an alternative energy system, Gallander said no.

“We want to be proactive, not reactive,” he said.

The ordinance passed its first reading by a 5-1 vote, with Destin voting against and Councilman Larry Hines absent from the meeting.