(a) In addition to the general design standards applicable to all installations of structural or electrical components in the City of Freeport, roof mounted PV arrays shall further comply with the following design and installation requirements set forth in this section.
(b) No roof mounted PV array shall be constructed in a manner which creates an increased risk of falling ice or snow, or which causes water to flow directly from any panel to ground level.
(c) For purposes of this section, a "pitched roof" shall be any roof with an angle of more than 12.00 degrees inclination as measured from the horizon. "Flat roof" shall be defined as any roof with angle of 12.00 degrees or lower.
(d) Height and Angle Restrictions.
(1) For pitched roof installations:
A. The highest edge of a PV array mounted on a pitched roof shall not exceed the height of the ridge of the roof section upon which the PV array is installed.
B. No panel shall be installed more than ten inches above, as measured perpendicular to the pitch, the existing roof surface.
C. All panels shall be installed at an angle which does not differ from the angle of the roof pitch by more than five degrees when measured against the horizon.
D. All PV arrays shall be mounted or affixed directly to a truss or support beam, and shall not be secured to the roof using only a decking anchor or mount.
(2) For flat roof installations:
A. The highest edge of a PV array mounted on a flat roof shall not exceed fifteen feet beyond the existing roofline. The height of a PV array shall not be included in the height of the building for purposes of computing the height of a flat roof building.
B. Non-ballasted roof mounted PV arrays shall be mounted or affixed directly to a truss or support beam, and shall not be secured to the roof using only a decking anchor or mount.
C. Ballasted roof mounted PV arrays may be used provided that the structure on which they are to be located is structurally sufficient to support the added load stresses, including dead load, wind load, and rain/snow loads.
(e) Setbacks and Pathways. All roof mounted PV arrays shall observe setbacks and provide structurally supported, unobstructed pathways in accordance with this subsection.
(1) Pitched roof installations - large. Where the total coverage of a PV array exceeds 1,000 square feet on any building with a pitched roof:
A. No collector panel or mounting device shall extend closer than thirty-six inches to the edge of the roof as measured from the nearest edge of the roof to the solar array or mounting apparatus.
B. An unobstructed walkway from eave to ridge no less than thirty-six inches shall be provided at regular intervals of no more than seventy-five feet if any PV array exceeds one hundred feet in length as measured parallel to the nearest ridgeline.
C. A minimum of an eighteen inch unobstructed pathway shall be maintained along each side of any ridge or valley (total thirty-six inch minimum width) and around any roof-mounted equipment, not including passive air vents.
(2) Pitched roof installations - small. Where the total coverage of a PV array does not exceed 1,000 square feet on any building with a pitched roof:
A. If the total coverage area of the PV array is less than twenty-five percent of the total area of the roof area of the structure, a minimum of a twelve inch unobstructed pathway shall be maintained along any horizontal ridge, and along any roof edge as measured from the nearest edge of the roof to the solar array or mounting apparatus.
B. If the total coverage area of the PV array is twenty-five percent or more of the total area of the roof area of the structure, a minimum of a twelve inch unobstructed pathway shall be maintained along any horizontal ridge, and along any roof edge as measured from the nearest edge of the roof to the solar array or mounting apparatus. A minimum thirty-six inch unobstructed pathway shall be provided from ridge to eave on any roof face on which a PV array is installed.
(3) Flat roof installations. On any building with a flat roof:
A. No collector panel or mounting device shall extend closer than thirty-six inches to the edge of the roof as measured from the nearest edge of the roof to the solar array or mounting apparatus.
B. No collector panel or mounting device shall be placed closer than thirty-six inches from any roof-mounted equipment.
C. Any PV array exceeding 4,000 square feet in area shall provide unobstructed pathways of no less than thirty-six inches at regular intervals of no more than fifty feet.
(f) Historic Buildings. No roof mounted PV array shall be installed on any building or structure which has been designated as a historic landmark, or is located in a Historic District, unless a Certificate of Appropriateness is first obtained from the Building Commission pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 1475.14
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(Ord. 2018-40. Passed 9-17-18.)