The legislature declares that the potential economic and environmental benefits of solar energy use are considered to be in the public interest; therefore, local governments are authorized to encourage and protect access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. The legislature further declares that solar easements appropriate to assuring continued access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems may be created and may be privately negotiated.

Severability—1979 ex.s. c 170: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1979 ex.s. c 170 s 15.]