Responsible & Reliable Clean Energy Supply
<< Return to Focus Areas < Return to Solutions
Promote Education and Incentives for Distributed Renewable Energy and Storage (2.F.4.)
Status Indicators: 
Complete | 
In Progress| 
Not Yet Started
The City of Bozeman will work with local partners to help develop resources and explore incentives to encourage residential and business investment in rooftop solar and energy storage, including current financing resources for renewable energy.
- Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements (C-PACE). was enabled in Gallatin County. C-PACE is a financing tool that supports energy efficiency, water efficiency, EV Service Equipment, and renewable energy installations. C-PACE is administered by the Montana Facility Finance Authority.
- City of Bozeman Sustainability staff toured the first C-PACE financed project in Gallatin County, the Bridger Brewing location in Three Forks, to learn about the project. The Sustainability Division and Economic Development Department continue to promote C-PACE in the community.
- The City Commission adopted Ordinance 2104 to replace the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process with a new Planned Development Zone (PDZ) process. Sustainable and Resilient Design is one of four public benefits identified in the ordinance that can be used to participate in the PDZ process. The administrative manual was completed and adopted in 2023.
- The City investigated new federal funding opportunities to advance public or private local renewable energy
- The City developed model Homeowners' Association (HOA) covenants that included protections for solar installations on private property. The City Commission adopted Resolution 5555 to adopt the Model HOA Covenants.
The Sustainability Division will:
-
Provide information about Gallatin PACE to all departments involved with development review to help encourage innovation in commercial building energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy, Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and adaptive reuse and renovations.
-
Implement the Planned Development Zone Sustainable and Resilient Design provisions and pursue training and outreach for the development community.
-
Develop a Bozeman Public Safety Center solar PV case study that will be available to help communicate the economic, environmental, and resiliency benefits of the system.
