(A) Permitting. A solar energy system may not be installed until and unless a zoning certificate is issued by the Commission. A solar energy system shall be permitted in any district as an accessory use subject to the criteria set forth below.
(B) Energy generation. A solar energy system shall provide power for the principal use and/or accessory use of the property on which the solar energy system is located only and shall not be used for the generation of power for other users or for the sale of energy to other users. This provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit the sale of excess power generated by a solar energy system from time to time to the local utility company.
(C) Standards for development. The installation of a solar energy system shall be subject to the following development and design standards.
(1) The solar panels of a solar energy system shall be placed such that solar glare shall not be directed onto or unreasonably effect neighboring or nearby properties or roadways.
(2) All power transmission lines from a ground-mounted solar energy system to any building or other structure shall be located underground. The design of the solar energy system shall conform to applicable industry standards.
(3) A solar energy system may be roof-mounted or ground-mounted. In addition to the foregoing standards for development, the following standards apply.
(a) Roof-mounted systems. A roof-mounted solar energy system may be mounted on a principal use or accessory use building. In no instance shall any part of a roof-mounted solar energy system extend beyond the edge of the roof. A roof-mounted solar energy system may not exceed the maximum building height specified in the relevant district.
(b) Ground-mounted systems. A ground-mounted solar energy system shall not be located within the required yard setback, which yard setback shall be determined in accordance with the setback requirement of the relevant district. In no instance shall any part of a ground-mounted solar energy system exceed a height of four feet above ground level and the total size of the panels of the ground- mounted solar energy system for a particular lot shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(D) Mechanical equipment. All mechanical equipment associated with and necessary for the operation of a solar energy system shall be screened from any adjacent property that is residentially zoned. The screen shall consist of shrubbery, trees or other non-invasive plant species which provides a visual screen. In lieu of a planting screen, a decorative fence meeting the requirements of the zoning regulations may be used.
(E) Removal. If a ground-mounted solar energy system is removed, any earth disturbance as a result of the removal of the ground-mounted solar energy system shall be graded and reseeded. If a solar energy system has been abandoned (meaning not having been in operation for a period of six months) or is defective or is deemed to be unsafe pursuant to the zoning regulations, the solar energy system shall be required to be repaired by the owner to meet federal, state and local safety standards, or be removed by the property owner within the time period allowed by the Commission. If the owner fails to remove or repair the defective or abandoned solar energy system, the village may pursue legal action to have the solar energy system removed at the owner’s expense.
(Ord. 1999-03, passed 3- -1999; Ord. 2013-04, passed 2-4-2013)