The placement, use or modification of a solar collector system shall be an allowed use in all zoning districts, provided the system meets zoning standards set out in subsections A through H of this section and section 9-3B-4 of this chapter. To lawfully install a solar collector system a solar permit shall be required. Repair, maintenance, replacement or upgrade of equipment to an existing solar collecting system installed prior to adoption of this chapter shall not be required to obtain a solar collector permit. The following shall be found to be true prior to issuance of a solar collector permit:
A. Photovoltaic solar collector panels are certified by the Solar Collector And Certification Corporation (SRCC);
B. Collector system panels and mounts are installed per manufacturer's specifications;
C. Solar panels mount systems located on roofs are installed to meet the international building code standards for wind loads. If panels do not contain wind load specification or circumstances require a modification to installation per the manufacturer's specifications an engineer shall review and certify that the modifications meet wind load standards as outlined in international building code and as amended Blaine County building code;
D. The building official has reviewed mounting plans to ensure the roof's structural integrity is maintained;
E. BIPV and roof collector mounted panels do not exceed five feet (5') from the top of a residential structure or forty feet (40') from natural grade;
F. Barn roof mounted systems meet the height standards outlined in the A-20 and A-40 zoning districts;
G. Ground and pole mounted solar collectors are firmly anchored and:
1. Do not exceed fifteen feet (15') above grade 1 ; or
2. Collector panels located on isolated slopes, not within the MOD, do not exceed twenty feet (20') above grade;
H. Solar collector system is located in a building envelope or solar collector system is located outside the building envelope and is not located within an overlay district, or has been found to comply with the standards set out in section 9-3B-4 of this chapter;
I. Collector systems located in the MOD have been categorically excluded or have received a site alteration permit. (Ord. 2010-11, 12-7-2010)
Notes
| 1 | 1. Pole mounts need 4 feet of snow clearance. Panels are on average 5 feet x 3 feet; sometimes they will stack 2 panels on 1 pole mount. Jon Riley of Whole Energy Solar indicates the majority of pole mounted systems will not need to be more than 15 feet high, as measured from the top of the panel. |