1. Permitted Solar Energy Systems.
A. Subject to the provisions of this Section, a solar energy system shall be permitted as an accessory use in any zoning district.
B. A temporary site construction office trailer or job site sales office trailer permitted by Part 7 of the Statutory Code or any mobile home or motor borne in any district shall be permitted to have a solar energy system mounted on its roof.
C. A pole-mounted solar panel shall be permitted in all zones at such locations where the pole and device powered by the solar panel would otherwise he permitted.
2. Permit Required. No person shall install, construct or otherwise implement a solar energy system or solar panel with a total area in excess of 8 square feet without first obtaining a permit from the Township. No person shall modify any existing solar panel or solar energy system without first obtaining a permit from the Township if the total area if the total area after modification will be in excess of 8 square feet.
3. Residential Districts. Any solar panel or solar energy system in a residential district (PR and MR) shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not be permitted.
B. Commercial solar energy systems shall not be permitted.
4. Business Districts. Solar energy systems in business district (PC, PIO, PUD) shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. Ground-mounted commercial solar energy systems shall not be permitted.
5. Airport-Industrial Zone. Solar energy systems in an airport industrial (AI) zone shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. A commercial solar energy system may be permitted by special exception.
6. Limited Use Zones. Solar energy systems in a limited use zone (LU) shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not be permitted.
7. General Regulations. Solar energy systems in all zoning districts shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. Except for pole-mounted solar panels in a non-residential zone or a decorate lighting SEC, a solar energy system must be within the building height and building set back provisions of the zone in which it is located.
B. Ground-mounted solar energy systems including a commercial ground- mounted solar energy system, shall not exceed 8 feet in height above the ground on which it is mounted.
C. A solar energy system shall not project vertically above the peak of an angled roof to which it is attached or project vertically more than 6 feet above a flat roof or horizontally beyond the perimeter of the roof to which it is attached and is subject to the restriction of subsection (7)(A).
D. All solar energy systems shall be subject to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
E. Solar energy systems are subject to all other provisions of the zoning ordinance, where applicable, and, in particular, a provision of § 27-504, Noise Control, § 27-507, Glare and Heat Control, § 27-508, Vibration Control, § 27-509, Radiation or Electrical Emissions, Radioactivity or Electrical Disturbance, and § 27-510, Electrical, Diesel Gas or Other Power.
F. All wires, pipes, conduit and other such items connecting a ground- mounted solar energy system to a building or other point shall be under ground.
G. Any ground-mounted solar energy system shall be screened by a buffer strip from any adjoining residential district or lot on which a residential building is located.
H. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not be situated in a manner which would impede the speedy movement of people away from any building exit.
I. A non-functioning solar energy system shall be repaired or replaced within 3 months of becoming non-functional.
J. A solar energy system shall not be used for displaying any advertising except for reasonable identification or the manufacturer or operator of the system, and in no case shall such identification be visible from the property line.
K. Solar energy systems shall not obstruct any public or private street, driveway, sidewalk, walkway or parking area. Such areas, not otherwise required by zoning or subdivision ordinances or approval conditions may be removed for the installation of solar energy systems.
8. Abandonment and Removal of Solar Energy Systems.
A. Any component of the solar energy system which has not been in active and continuous service for a period of 1 year shall, within 30 days following the end of said period, be removed from the property to a place of sale and legal disposal and the site shall be cleaned and restored with grass or other ground cover until other use is established.
B. If the requirements of subsection (8)(A) have not been completed within said 30-day period, then the Township shall give written notice to the owner and/or tenant of the property on which the solar energy system is located, to accomplish the same within 30 days.
C. If the removal and restoration has not been completed within 30 days of said written notice by Township, then Township may accomplish the same charge the said owner and/or tenant notified pursuant to subsection (8)(B) for all the costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees for collection and place a lien on the property for the same.
(Ord. 45, 5/12/76; as added by Ord. 520, 7/6/2011, § 3)