A. Roof Mount Solar Energy Systems designed to serve only the occupants of the parcel on which they are located and placed on the roof of a principal structure shall not require a special use. Roof Mount Solar Energy Systems designed to serve only the occupants of the parcel on which they are located and placed on the roof of an accessory structure shall require a special use. Ground Mount Solar Energy Systems shall not be permitted. Such systems are accessory structures allowed only on zoning lots with a principal structure. An application shall be submitted to the City Administrator demonstrating compliance with all applicable provisions of the City Code and with the following requirements:
1. Height:
a. Roof mount solar energy systems placed on a principal structure shall not exceed the height of the principal structure on the zoning lot where the system is located.
b. Roof mount solar energy systems placed on an accessory structure shall not exceed the height of the accessory structure on the zoning lot where the system is located.
2. Mounting on Pitched Roofs: Roof mount solar energy systems on pitched roofs shall not be permitted to tilt or rotate at a slope greater or less than the roof to which it is attached. Such roof mount solar energy systems cannot extend more than eight inches (8'*) from the roof surface to which it is attached.
3. Mounting on Flat Roofs: Roof mount solar energy systems on flat roofs on residential or non-residential structures shall not extend more than two feet (2f) vertically or extend above the building parapet, whichever is less.
4. Setback: The collector surface and mounting devises for roof mount systems shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built. Exterior piping for solar systems generating heated water may extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a side yard exposure.
5. Roof Coverage: Roof mount solar energy systems shall not occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate square footage of the roof area. If a roof mount solar energy system is installed on multiple roofs on the same structure, the coverage on any one (1) roof side shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the total square footage of that particular roof side on which the roof mount is located and shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate square footage of the roofs on which the roof mounts are located. The roof shall be considered a part of a building completely covering and permanently attached to such building and can be flat or pitched. Any roof that has a pitch of more than 1.5 inches in 12 inches shall be considered a separate roof side.
6. Reflection Angies: Reflection angles for solar collectors shall be oriented such that they do not project glare onto adjacent properties.
7. Visibility: Solar energy systems shall be located in a manner to reasonably minimize view blockage for surrounding properties and shading of property to the north while still providing adequate solar access for collectors. They shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the building or be screened from routine view from public rights-of-way provided that the screening shall not affect the operation of the system.
8. Color: Roof mount solar energy systems shall match, as closely as possible, the color of the roof to which it is attached.
9. Safety: Roof mount solar energy systems, excluding building integrated systems, shall allow for adequate roof access for firefighting purposes to the south facing or flat roof upon which the panels are mounted.
10. Approved Solar Components: Electric solar energy system components shall have a UL listing or approved equivalent and solar hot water systems shall have an SRCC rating.
11. Compliance with Building Codes: All solar energy systems shall meet approval of any currently adopted International Building Code, National Electric Code, and Illinois Plumbing Code.
12. Utility Notification: All grid-intertie solar energy systems shall comply with the interconnection requirements of the electric utility. Off-grid systems are exempt from this requirement.
13. Restrictions on Solar Energy Systems Limited: Consistent with 765 ILCS 165, no homeowner's agreements, covenants, common interest community or other contracts between multiple property owners within a subdivision shall prohibit or restrict homeowners from installing solar energy systems. (Ord. 3-2023, 3-6-2023)