The picturesque German town of Marburg is experiencing some green growing pains resulting from a new law passed by its town council.   The law, as reported in the NY Times, which requires town residents to install solar heating panels on not only all new buildings but also on existing structures that undergo renovations or install new heating units or roofing.   Those who fail to comply with the new regulation will face a stiff fine of 1,000 Euros.   While fewer town residents disagree with new constructions needing to install the solar panels, the portion of the regulation pertaining to existing buildings has sent many Marburgers into an uproar that the ordinance is an infringement on private property rights.

A battle of wills soon ensued, with the regional government of Giessen threatening to overturn the law, followed by the Marburg ton council countering that they would bring judicial action in a higher court to keep the ordinance in place.   The issue stands in legislative limbo right now.

The controversy in Marburg is foretelling of future civic struggles elsewhere in the issues that surround a conversion to alternative energy.   Should towns force their citizens to install green technology or should they work on incentives to try persuade citizens to switch over.   Up until now Marburg had tried the latter, but found that there was only so much the local government could do while staying fiscally solvent to encourage the adoption of the new technologies and wanted to move the process along quicker.   Another large issue at play in this old, medieval town was the aesthetic impact solar panels would have on the beautiful old buildings.   All of these issues will need to be worked out over the adoption of renewable technologies once the “not in my backyard” effect carries over to going green.

You can takepart by checking out the renewable technologies available at the Solar Panel Store.

LINKS:

NY Times: German City Wonders How Green is Too Green

Treehugger: First Solar City in Germany: Marburg City Council Approves Law Requiring Solar

Mike the Actuary’s Musings: Marburg, Germany to Require Solar Panels on New & Renovated Buildings