The Chapel Hill Town Council recently heard a petition from the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board which would require all new building construction and renovations in Chapel Hill which require a rezoning with a Special Use Permit to install roof-mounted solar energy systems.

The petition would cover over 80 percent of eligible roof areas, including all sunshade flat roofs and pitched roofs facing between southeast to southwest.

Mayor Pam Hemminger says that while solar energy is part of the town’s climate action plan, demanding solar energy systems may not be the right way.

“We want to make it better than that,” says Hemminger. “We want to give options, because sometimes putting solar on means you might cut trees down and that might not be the right way.”

The mayor says the town is more likely to offer a range of different options when it comes to renewable energy for new development.

“We want buildings to [use] more renewable energy and to be more energy efficient than they already are, but we want a menu of options to help promote that,” says Hemminger.

The town also discussed incentives for owners of existing properties to convert to solar energy.

“I’ve seen other towns do things like rebate the inspections cost or put out the information of all the places you can find information about solar companies who do this, get estimates, those kinds of things,” says Hemminger.

UNC is also investigating the possibility of building a solar farm to generate energy for the campus.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Solar Energy Company Moving to Durham
Chapel Hill-based energy company Strata Solar is relocating to downtown Durham. Multiple outlets reported the company, which has been headquartered in Chapel Hill since its founding in 2008, will be moving to Durham’s Golden Belt campus. Strata has over 1.3 gigawatts of solar power to date and another 3.5 gigawatts “in our development pipeline,” according […]
UNC Unveils New Solar Energy Project
A new solar energy project was unveiled at UNC on Tuesday. “How cool is this?” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp asked at the Frank Porter Graham Student Union on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the ribbon cutting for a solar energy project at Carolina. The UNC Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee unveiled its newest […]
The Evening News: CHCCS Decision on Glenwood, Jamezetta Bedford Memorial, Jordan Shipp
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the evening news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear from CHCCS leaders on their mixed decision on Glenwood Elementary's World Language Program, Jean Hamilton remembers Jamezetta Bedford ahead of this weekend's memorial, and more. In sports, we hear a profile of Tar Heel football star Jordan Shipp, and more.
Chapel Hill: Council Look Ahead, Parks and Rec Updates, Back to School
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, August 20, discussing town news and events. She looked ahead to the start of school for k-12 students in the community next week. She also previewed the town council's priorities and business going into the fall. She also updated some ongoing parks and rec projects, including the reopening of the tennis courts at Cedar Falls Park, and more.
The Morning News: First Week at UNC, Fire Station #4, Hillsborough Water Main
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey fills in for Aaron Keck with the morning news. In this edition of the news we hear more about the first week of classes for the fall semester at UNC, including a clip from the opening convocation, and words from new student body president Devin Duncan. Jess Anderson shares details of the plan for Fire Station #4 in Chapel Hill, and Mark Bell explains a boil water advisory from Hillsborough Over the weekend. In sports, we learn of individual accolades for Tar Heel athletes, and more.
On Air Today: South Creek Update from Beechwood Organization President Steven Dubb
Steven Dubb, the Principal and President of the Beechwood Organization spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, August 18. He discussed the latest news from the South Creek development in the southern portion of Chapel Hill. He talked about the importance of having homes in a lower price range than is typical for Chapel Hill, the value of having 80 acres of nature preserve as part of the development, and what future timelines are for South Creek. He also shared some upcoming milestones, and more.
The Evening News - FDOC, New Residence Halls, Football Prep
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we learn of some new residence halls that are under construction on campus. We also acknowledge the First Day of Classes (FDOC) on campus, as the fall semester gets underway. We also hear from the Chancellor on a government program for military officers coming to UNC, and more. In sports, Bill Belichick speaks on new assistant coach Bobby Petrino, and more.
The Evening News: Mark Chilton Steps Down, FDOC on Monday, Fall Sports
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news we learn that Register of Deeds Mark Chilton is stepping down from his position a few months early. We also hear more from UNC leadership on the First Day of Classes (FDOC) coming up on Monday, learn more about Pittsboro's new Planning Director, and hear from Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell on that town's strategic plan. In Sports, UNC Women's Soccer opens the fall sports season with a win, and more.
The Morning News: Mark Chilton Retiring, UNC Returning
In today's news: longtime Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announces he's stepping down, a few months before the end of his term.
Ex-Officer Accused of Plotting New Orleans Attack is Released After Grand Jury Declines to Indict
A Louisiana grand jury declined to indict Christopher Gillum on a state terrorism charge that could have carried up to a 15-year sentence.
›