From: john farrell Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 7:04 AM To: Karen Edwards Subject: Solar Zoning, Letter to Planning Board To the Planning Board: I am writing to express my feelings on proposed zoning to regulate the installation of solar arrays. I believe strongly that we need to move to locally-produced, distributed and sustainable sources of electricity as fast as possible. Our government-supported addiction to fossil fuel is directly responsible for the changing climate and the perceived need for global wars that risk bankrupting our country. Alternative energy, especially solar, has advanced to the point where it is nearly capable of replacing fossil fuels for most of our energy needs. The last threshold of technological advances in battery technology is about to be crossed. Pending developments will enable conversion to alternative energy as our primary source of energy within the next decade in an expanding market for solar power. The only missing elements are the political will (as reflected in regulations, government funding, tax structure) and individual commitments to make the purchases of alternative energy systems for heat and power, and electric vehicles that will drive the conversion. To my eyes, a solar array, whether roof or ground-mounted, is a symbol of progress and concern for the environment that should be encouraged and admired. Committed early- adopters are now making the critical first investments in solar energy. In some cases (as in our own) municipalities and other large organizations have made major leadership investments in solar. It is very important that this trend continues without interruption to make solar arrays commonplace. Therefore, any regulation which discourages or unreasonably limits solar installation should be adopted with extreme care, and with an eye to encouraging alternative energy as much as possible. This gravity of this issue must transcend neighborhood disputes, which could be viewed as trivial in light of the importance of this existential global concern. My hope is that Durham will continue its leadership in this area. Jack Farrell 8 Little John Road Durham Sent from Outlook