A. Purpose: The purpose of this section is to provide regulations for the permitting of individual solar collector systems as an administrative use for all zoning districts. This section includes regulations for the construction of roof mounted, building integrated photovoltaic, pole mounted, and ground mounted solar collector units in regard to total height, setback provisions, and reflection. This section makes the distinction that individual solar collector systems shall be classified as accessory structures.
B. Definitions:
INDIVIDUAL SOLAR COLLECTION SYSTEMS: A panel or other solar device that is capable of collecting, storing, or transmitting at least twenty five thousand (25,000) btus. A solar collector may be a photovoltaic, plate type designed to convert solar energy into electric energy, or a structural element that is designed to collect solar energy and transmit it to internal spaces for heating. The following are definitions of the type of systems that this section will regulate:
Building Integrated Photovoltaic Unit: A system that is integrated into the structure of that building. Some examples of this are roofing tiles, carports, awnings, and curtain walls.
Ground Mount: A solar collector system in which an array is mounted onto the ground such as a wedge structure constructed from steel supports that are anchored into concrete footings. The structure itself is built from aluminum or galvanized steel.
Pole Mount: A solar collector system that consists of an array that is mounted on top of a single steel pole which is affixed to the ground. Pole mounted units have the capability of being pitched such that the angle of the array may be altered during the year to optimize the amount of solar energy collected.
Roof Mount: A solar collector system with an array of solar panels that are located on the roof of a structure. The solar collector system shall be installed such that it is attached directly to and supported by a structural member of the building.
SOLAR ENERGY: Radiant energy that is received through direct, diffuse, or reflected means from the sun.
SOLAR RIGHT: A property owner has the right to have an unobstructed line of sight path from a solar collector to the sun which permits radiation from the sun to be collected. The extent of the solar right is the amount of illumination provided by the path of the sun on a winter solstice day.
WINTER SOLSTICE DAY: On December 21 which marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere when the sun reaches its most southern point.
C. Solar Panel Requirements: Certification of the solar collection system in accordance with the Solar Collector And Certification Corporation (SRCC) and all manufacturers' installation instructions shall be provided to the Grundy County building and zoning officer. All solar collection systems shall be limited to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the electrical and/or thermal energy requirements of the structure as determined by a contractor licensed to install such systems. Solar collection systems connected to the electrical utility grid system may be installed once an interconnected customer-owner agreement is reached. This agreement shall be provided to the building and zoning officer at the time of building permit application submittal.
In the event of a power failure, solar collection systems that are interconnected to the grid system shall shut down until full power is restored by the electrical utility company. The solar collector electrical components need to be marked as such for emergency responders with an appropriate warning and guidance. Marking material shall be weather resistant in accordance with UL 969. An emergency shutoff mechanism shall be installed and notice of its location shall be provided for emergency responders. All solar collectors shall be certified by a third party and comply with all Grundy County building code requirements and manufacturer's installation instructions.
Owners of solar collector systems shall have solar rights to collecting solar energy from their property for their energy consumption.
Solar collector systems shall not be placed in the vicinity of any airport in a manner that would interfere with airport flight patterns.
The following requirements shall be applied to all installations of individual solar collection systems:
1. Ground Mounted And Pole Mounted Solar Collection Systems:
a. The parcel in which the ground mounted or pole mounted solar collection systems are to be installed shall be a minimum of one acre in size and shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the lot area.
b. Setbacks for the installation of the solar collection system shall meet with the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.
c. Solar collectors shall be considered to be accessory to the main structure of the parcel.
d. All pole mounted solar collection system installations shall be within the side and rear yard of the property and shall be limited in height to twenty feet (20').
e. All exterior electrical or plumbing lines serving the solar collector system shall be buried below the surface of the ground in accordance with the requirements of the Grundy County building code.
f. Ground mounted solar collectors (including framework) shall not exceed a height of six feet (6') above grade.
g. Reflection angles from the solar collector systems' surfaces shall be oriented away from adjacent structures that are constructed on adjacent properties or roadways.
h. All mechanical equipment of the solar collection system such as storage cells or batteries shall be enclosed with a minimum six foot (6') fence that is self-locking.
2. Roof Mounted And Building Integrated Photovoltaic Solar Collection Systems:
a. All exterior electrical and plumbing lines and components that serve these systems shall be buried below the surface of the ground and comply with the requirements of the Grundy County building code.
b. Conduit lines that run below the roof sheathing shall be installed such that they are below the roof deck by a depth of ten inches (10") and are not installed such that they are perpendicular to roof rafters.
c. Reflection angles from collector surfaces shall be oriented away from adjacent structures constructed on adjacent properties.
d. Roof mounted units or building integrated photovoltaic solar collection systems (tiles) shall be installed such that they do not exceed the height restrictions of the zoning district in which they are located. A path of three feet (3') shall be provided from any peak, eave or valley of the roof for emergency accessibility and ventilation opportunities for emergency responders.
D. Application To The Building And Zoning Officer: All submittals to the building and zoning officer shall contain the following information in addition to that included on the application form:
1. Standard drawings of the solar collector system, including design and dimensions of panels, base, mounting poles, footings, and anchors. Overall height from natural grade to tip of the uppermost panel, and the square footage of the entire system structures shall be provided in the submittal.
2. Projected amount of energy created or offset of the solar collector shall be provided.
3. All manufacturer's installation and specification sheets shall be provided including all certifications. The installation instructions shall contain such items as the make, model, listing, size, weight, snow and wind load abilities of the solar collector system.
E. Site Plan: The following items shall be provided on the site plan submitted at the time of building permit application:
1. A scaled layout of the solar collector systems as proposed on the property or building. Site plans for the ground or pole mounted systems should include building envelope, base flood elevations (if necessary), location and footprint of the structures, adjacent roads and property lines.
2. The location of the panel installations, the main service location, and the locations of all equipment and disconnect.
3. Depiction and explanation of the main use of the property and the location of the adjacent buildings, trees, parking lot (if applicable) and landscaping. (Ord. 2012-016, 4-10-2012)