Personal solar installations shall be permitted as an accessory use and structure where the primary purpose is to provide energy for on-site consumption. The location and placement of personal solar installations in the Civic and Commercial Historic Overlay District shall only be permitted after receipt of a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission. Personal solar installations shall be subject to the following standards.
(A) Roof-mounted solar installations.
(1) Height. The height of the roof-mounted solar installation shall not exceed the maximum allowed height for the structure it is mounted on in any zoning district.
(2) Setback. Roof-mounted solar installations shall be considered part of the building and meet all applicable building setbacks.
(3) Placement. Roof-mounted solar installations may be permitted on principal or accessory buildings, but shall be prohibited from the side of a roof on a principal structure facing the public right-of-way. The color of the solar collector is not required to be consistent with other roofing materials.
(4) Coverage. Roof-mounted solar installations shall be allowed to cover the entire roof upon which they are mounted.
(5) Visibility and glare.
(a) Roof-mounted solar installations shall be mounted or oriented so that concentrated solar glare will not be directed toward or onto nearby properties or rights-of-way at any time of the day.
(b) Support structures shall be of a single, non-reflective matte finish that is consistent throughout the project.
(6) Energy sales. Excess energy generated by roof-mounted solar installations may be sold to utility company and returned to the grid.
(B) Ground-mounted solar installations.
(1) Height. The maximum height of a ground-mounted solar installation shall be 16 feet above grade at maximum tilt.
(2) Setbacks. Ground-mounted solar installations shall comply with all district required setbacks.
(3) Placement.
(a) Ground-mounted solar installations shall only be allowed in the rear or side yard on a property with an established permitted principal use.
(b) Placement in street-facing side yards of corner lots shall be prohibited.
(4) Coverage. The area of the ground-mounted solar installation energy collection system shall count towards the maximum area allowed for accessory buildings on property with a principal use.
(5) Visibility and glare.
(a) Ground-mounted solar installations shall be mounted or oriented so that concentrated solar glare will not be directed toward or onto nearby properties or rights-of-way at any time of the day.
(b) Systems designed to track the maximum sun angle throughout the day shall be programed to prevent positioning at any point that would result in glare directed toward nearby properties or rights-of-way. Support structures shall be of a single, non-reflective matte finish that is consistent throughout the project.
(6) Energy sales. Excess energy generated by ground-mounted solar installations may be sold to utility company and returned to the grid.
(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)