The purpose of this chapter is to balance the need to accommodate wind energy systems in appropriate locations, while minimizing any adverse visual, safety, and environmental impacts such systems. In addition, this chapter provides a permitting process for wind energy systems to ensure compliance with the provision of the requirements and standards established herein.
For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:
1. “Commercial wind energy system” means a wind energy conversion system that is intended for producing electricity for sale to a rate regulated or non-regulated utility or for use off-site.
2. “Dispersed wind energy system” means a wind energy conversion system that has a rated capacity for 100 kilowatts or more, is incidental and subordinate to a permitted use on the same parcel, and is intended to produce electricity primarily for use on-site. Such system may be connected to the electrical grid when a parcel on which the system is installed also receives electrical power supplied by a utility company. Excess electrical power generated and not presently needed for on-site use may be used by the utility company in accordance with the Section 199 Chapter 15.1 l (5) of the Iowa Administrative Code.
3. “Height (system)” means the height above the grade of the wind energy system, including the tower, generating unit, and the highest vertical extension of any blades or rotors. Height shall be measured from the adjacent grade of the tower to the tip of the turbine (blade) at its highest point.
4. “Small wind energy system” means a wind energy conversion system which has a rated capacity of up to 100 kilowatts and which is incidental and subordinate to a permitted use on the same panel. A system is considered a small wind energy system only if it supplies electrical power solely for on-site use, except that when a parcel on which the system is installed also receives electrical power supplied by a utility company, excess power generated and not presently needed for on-site may be used by the utility company in accordance with Section 199, Chapter 15.11 (5) of the Iowa Administrative Code.
5. “Tower wind energy system” means any free-standing vertical structure that supports the electrical generator, rotor blades, or meteorology equipment.
6. “Wind energy system (WES)” means an electrical generating facility comprised of wind turbine and accessory facilities, including but not limited to: power lines, transformers, substations, and meteorological towers.
No wind energy system shall be erected, constructed, installed or modified without first obtaining a special use permit from the Board of Adjustment. Applicant must provide detailed Site Plan plus any other requirements under Section 165.35 of the Zoning Code. The Board of Adjustment may review a special use permit at any time if an approved system does not comply with the rules set forth in this chapter and conditions imposed by the Board of Adjustment. The Board may set additional terms or timeframe for compliance for the wind energy system. The owner/operator of the wind energy system shall obtain all other permits required by federal, State, and local agencies prior to construction of the system.
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