All solar energy systems shall comply with all applicable local, state and federal regulatory codes including all electrical, building and plumbing code requirements.
(A) Permitted accessory use. Active solar energy systems shall be allowed as accessory to the primary land use in all zoning districts in which structures of any sort are allowed and are designed to supply energy for the primary use.
(B) Solar access. The city encourages solar access to be protected in all new subdivisions and allows for existing solar to be protected consistent with state statutes.
(1) Right to solar access.
(a) No structure shall be erected that will block solar access for existing principal structures or infringe on the solar access of the buildable area of a vacant lot or parcel.
(b) No homeowners’ agreement, covenant, common interest community or other contract between multiple property owners shall forbid installation of solar energy systems or create design standards that effectively preclude solar energy installations.
(2) Easements allowed. The city has elected to allow solar easements to be filed, consistent with M.S. § 500.30, as it may be amended from time to time. Any building owner can purchase an easement across neighboring properties to protect access to sunlight. The easement is purchased from or granted by owners of neighboring properties and can apply to buildings, trees or other structures that would diminish solar access.
(3) Subdivision solar easements. The city may require new subdivisions to identify and create solar easements when solar energy systems are implemented as a condition of a PUD, subdivision, conditional use or other permit, as specified in Section 8.
(C) Safety conditions. All applicable health and safety standards shall be met.
(D) Required permits. Building permits, electrical permits and/or plumbing permits are required to construct and install solar energy systems in the city, whether residential or commercial and whether ground-, pole-, building- or roof-mounted. Electrical permits are obtained through the state. Building and plumbing permit applications are obtained through the city and shall include:
(1) To-scale horizontal and vertical (elevation) drawings of the solar energy system, including:
(a) For a pitched roof-mounted system, the highest finished slope of the solar collector and the slope of the finished roof surface on which it is mounted.
(b) For a flat roof-mounted system, the distance to the roof edge or parapets on the building, identifying the height of the building on the street frontage side, the shortest distance of the system from the street frontage edge of the building, and the highest finished height of the solar collector above the finished surface of the roof and/or parapet.
(2) Site drawing showing the type and locations of the systems and their placement on the property, including required setbacks and property lines.
(E) Interconnection agreement.
(1) All electric solar energy systems that are connected to the electric distribution or transmission system through the existing service of the primary use on the site shall obtain an interconnection agreement with the electric utility in whose service territory the system is located.
(2) Solar energy systems connected directly to the distribution or transmission system must obtain an interconnection agreement with the interconnecting electric utility. Off-grid systems are exempt from this requirement.
(Prior Code, § 12-230) (Ord. 03-2015, passed 8-18-2015)