Solar panels may be erected in any district in accordance with the following standards and requirements:
(a) Solar energy equipment shall be located in the least visibly obtrusive location where panels would be functional. Solar roof panels which simulate typical roofing materials such as asphalt shingles or clay tiles and are compatible with the design of the structure are preferred.
(b) Rooftop solar panels shall be installed on the plane of the roof material (flush mounted) or made a part of the roof design (e.g., utilizing capping or framing compatible with the color of the roof or structure), but shall not extend above the ridgeline of the roof.
(c) A ground mounted solar panel shall be subordinate in size to the principal structure it serves, shall not exceed fifteen feet in height, and is subject to lot coverage limitations and accessory structure location requirements.
(d) For rooftop or wall mounted solar panels, all exterior electrical lines shall be in conduit and painted in a color scheme that matches as closely as reasonably possible the color of the structure and materials adjacent to the conduit (i.e. conduit on walls should be painted the color of the structure of the walls while conduit on roof should be the color of the roof.)
(e) For rooftop or wall mounted solar panels, all exterior plumbing lines must be painted in a color scheme that matches as closely as reasonably possible the color of the structure and materials adjacent to the plumbing lines.
(f) For ground mounted solar panels, all exterior electrical lines must be in conduit and conduit and plumbing lines must be buried.
(g) Solar energy equipment shall meet setback and height requirements for the zone.
(h) Solar energy equipment shall not block required parking.
(i) Repair and replacement of existing solar energy equipment is exempt from this chapter provided that there is not expansion in the rooftop or ground area covered by solar panels.
(j) Nonfunctioning solar energy equipment shall be removed within three months of becoming nonfunctional.
(k) No solar equipment shall be installed without first obtaining a Certificate of Zoning Compliance.
(Ord. 2013-04-CD. Passed 4-2-13; Ord. 2020-04-CD. Passed 12-8-20.)