(A) A Solar Energy System may be considered either a principal or an accessory use. Another principal use of a building on the same lot shall not preclude the installation of a solar energy system on such lot.
(1) Small scale ground mounted solar energy systems and roof mounted solar energy systems shall be regulated as accessory structures and allowed in all zoning districts with the establishment of such structures subject to the applicable requirements of this Section and of § 150.030(A) and (B).
(B) Glare. Solar energy systems shall be designed and located to avoid significant glare or reflection onto adjacent properties and adjacent roadways and shall not interfere with traffic or create a safety hazard. This may be accomplished by both the placement and angle of the collection devices as well as human-made or environmental barriers. Glare intensity is considered significant if it measures more than 20% of the incident sun intensity. The potential for glare and remediation of glare shall be quantified in the initial materials submitted for system review and approval.
(C) Buffering. Large scale ground mounted solar energy systems abutting a residential zoning district shall include a buffer strip not less than one hundred (100) feet wide. Such buffer strip shall be landscaped and planted with a combination of shrubs, trees or other plants which provide a visual and acoustic screen, and may contain fences, or ornamental and acoustic walls.
(D) Aesthetics. All solar energy system wiring shall be neatly grouped, routed and continuously supported. Solar energy systems should blend into the architecture of the building where they are located if mounted on a building. Solar energy systems, to the extent practical, should limit visibility from the right of way.
(E) Monitoring and Maintenance. The system owner or operator shall maintain the solar energy system in good condition. Maintenance shall include, but is not be limited to, painting, structural repairs, and integrity of security measures.
(F) Advertising. A solar energy system shall not be used to display any advertising or signage, including streamers, pennants, spinners, flags, reflectors, ribbons, balloons-banners, or other similar materials.
(G) Roof mounted solar energy systems installed on a sloped roof of a building shall not project vertically above the peak of the roof. Solar panels attached to a flat roof shall not project vertically more than 10 feet above the roof. Solar panels attached to the side of a structure shall not project vertically above the building height allowed for that zoning district.
(H) Small-scale ground mounted solar energy systems, where the solar panels are attached to the ground by a pole, metal frame or other similar support structure, shall comply with existing regulations for accessory structures but in no instance shall such systems exceed fifteen (15) feet in height in residential zoning districts.
(I) Safety. Roof mounted solar energy systems shall be located in such a manner as to ensure emergency access to the roof, provide pathways to specific areas of the roof, provide for smoke ventilation opportunities, and provide emergency egress from the roof. To the extent practicable, the access pathway shall be located at a structurally strong location on the building (such as a bearing wall). No roof mounted solar energy system shall be located in a manner that would cause the shedding of ice or snow from the roof into a porch, stairwell or pedestrian travel area.
(J) Large scale solar energy systems shall have power lines routed underground to the extent practical.
(K) Quality and Disposal. All solar panels used as a part of a solar energy system shall be certified to meet the US EPA Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure Standards (TCLP). Disposal of solar panels after replacement or abandonment shall follow Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements where applicable.
(L) Abandonment. Any ground mounted solar energy system that is no longer being utilized as such shall be disassembled and removed by the system owner within 90 days after notice from the City to remove the system. If the owner of the abandoned system cannot be located or is no longer in business, the requirements of this Section shall be the responsibility of the landowner on whose lot the system is located. Decommissioning shall consist of physical removal of all solar energy systems, structures, equipment, security barriers and transmission lines from the site and stabilization or re-vegetation of the site as necessary to minimize erosion.
(Ord. 9162, passed 8-21-18)