(A) Accessory use.
(1) Roof mounted solar energy systems shall be allowed as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts in accordance with the standards in this section and all ground mounted shall be considered by conditional use permit.
(2) The following systems shall be exempt from the requirements of this section and shall be regulated as any other building element:
(a) Building integrated solar energy systems that are an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural element or structural component including, but not limited to, photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, and awnings; and
(b) Passive solar energy systems that capture solar light or heat without transforming it into another form of energy or transferring the heat via a heat exchanger.
(B) System standards.
(1) Electrical.
(a) All utilities shall be installed underground.
(b) An exterior utility disconnect switch shall be installed at the electric meter serving the property.
(c) Solar energy systems shall be grounded to protect against natural lightning strikes in conformance with the national electrical code as adopted by the city.
(d) No solar energy system shall be interconnected with a local electrical utility company until the utility company has reviewed and commented upon it. The interconnection of the solar energy system with the utility company shall adhere to the national electrical code as adopted by the city.
(2) Maximum area. Ground mounted solar energy systems shall be limited to 25% of the total impervious surface for the lot or 1,000 square feet of coverage, whichever is more restrictive.
(3) Color. All roof mounted solar energy systems shall use colors that are the same or similar with the color of the roof material of the building on which the system is mounted.
(C) Location.
(1) Roof mounting.
(a) The solar energy system shall comply with the maximum height requirements of the applicable zoning district.
(b) The solar energy system shall not extend beyond the perimeter of the exterior walls of the building on which it is mounted.
(2) Ground mounting.
(a) The solar energy system shall only be located in the rear yard as defined by this chapter.
(b) The solar energy system shall comply with the maximum height requirements for accessory buildings for the applicable zoning district.
(c) All components of the solar energy system shall be set back a minimum of five feet from interior side lot lines and ten feet from rear lot lines.
(d) Solar energy systems shall not encroach upon drainage and utility easements.
(D) Screening. Solar energy systems shall be screened in accordance with the requirements of this chapter to the extent possible without affecting their function.
(E) Certification. The solar energy system shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, inc., and comply with the requirements of the international building code.
(F) Abandonment. Any solar energy system which is inoperable for 12 successive months shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be deemed a public nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after obtaining a demolition permit.
(G) Permit. A land use or conditional use permit shall be obtained for any solar energy system prior to installation.