BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS: | An active solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building. Building-integrated systems include but are not limited to photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights and awnings. |
GROUND MOUNT: | A solar energy system mounted on a rack or pole that rests on or is attached to the ground. |
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM: | An active solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity. |
ROOF MOUNT: | A solar energy system that is mounted on a rack that is fastened onto a building roof. |
ROOF PITCH: | The final exterior slope of a building roof calculated by the rise over the run, typically but not exclusively expressed in twelfths. |
SOLAR COLLECTOR: | An assembly, structure, and the associated equipment and housing, designed for gathering, concentrating, or absorbing direct and indirect solar energy for which the primary purpose is to convert or transform solar radiant energy into thermal, mechanical, chemical or electrical energy. |
SOLAR ENERGY: | Radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat or light by a solar collector. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM: | A device, array of devices, or structural design feature, the purpose of which is to provide for: (I) generation of electricity; (ii) collection, storage and distribution of solar energy for space heating or cooling; (iii) daylight for interior lighting; or (iv) water heating. |
SOLAR FARM: | A commercial facility that converts sunlight into electricity, whether by photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar thermal devices (CST), or other conversion technology, for the primary purpose of wholesale sales of generated electricity. Solar Farms shall include solar gardens that are one (1) acre or more in size. |
SOLAR GARDEN: | A commercial solar-electric (photovoltaic) array, of less than one (1) acre in size, that provides retail electric power (or a financial proxy for retail power) to multiple households or businesses residing in or located off-site from the location of the solar energy system. A solar garden that is one (1) acre or more in size shall be deemed a solar farm. |
SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM: | A system (also referred to as Solar Thermal) that includes a solar collector and a heat exchanger that heats or preheats water for building heating systems or other hot water needs, including residential domestic hot water and hot water for commercial processes. |
SOLAR MOUNTING DEVICES: | Racking, frames, or other devices that allow the mounting of a solar collector onto a roof surface or the ground. |
SOLAR RESOURCE: | A view of the sun from a specific point on a lot or building that is not obscured by any vegetation, building, or object for a minimum of four (4) hours between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Standard Time on all days of the year. (Ord. 3121, 1-7-2019) |