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The purpose of this chapter is to establish reasonable and uniform regulations for the location, installation, operation, and maintenance of solar energy systems. Solar energy systems include photovoltaic, thermal collector, or any other solar powered system to be installed on property within the limits of the city.
(Ord. 3930, passed 5-29-18)
For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
GLARE. The effect produced by light with an intensity sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL. A semiconductor device that converts solar energy directly into electricity.
SOLAR COLLECTOR. A professionally manufactured device, structure, or part of a device or structure, for which the primary purpose is to transform solar radiant energy into thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy.
SOLAR COLLECTOR SURFACE. Any part of a solar collector that absorbs solar energy for use in the collector's energy transformation process. Collector surface does not include frames, supports, and mounting hardware.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING-INTEGRATED. A building-mounted solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural part of the building. BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic cell or hot water systems that are contained within roofing materials, skylights, shading devices, and similar architectural components.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING-MOUNTED. A solar energy system in which all parts are professionally mounted on the roof of a principal building or accessory structure. A BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM includes building integrated solar energy systems, flush- mounted solar energy systems, and non-flush-mounted solar energy systems.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, FLUSH-MOUNTED. A building-mounted solar energy system that is mounted to a finished roof surface where the solar collector, once installed, projects no further than six inches in height beyond the roof surface.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, GROUND-MOUNTED. A free-standing solar energy system that is placed, affixed, or mounted to the ground.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, LARGE. A solar energy system that contains multiple solar collectors and is primarily used to produce energy to be sold commercially.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, NON-FLUSH-MOUNTED. A building-mounted solar energy system that is mounted to a finished roof surface where the solar collector, once installed, projects more than six inches in height beyond the roof surface.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, SELF-CONTAINED. A professionally manufactured device that utilizes solar collector(s) to produce small amounts of power that are generated exclusively for the device. A SELF-CONTAINED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM is typically located in areas that are not in close proximity to a utility power source. Examples of these types of SELF-CONTAINED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS include, but are not limited to, light poles in parks for security or safety reasons, pedestrian street crossing signs that alert oncoming traffic of the crossing, natural resource observation systems (such as tracking flood level depths), pumps that aerate an isolated pond, and attic fans mounted on a roof that are used for ventilation purposes.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, SMALL. A professionally manufactured system accessory to the principal use that utilizes solar collectors to convert solar energy from the sun into thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy for storage and use, and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power. Energy produced in excess of on-site consumption may be sold back to the electric utility service provider that serves the proposed site for use with the existing energy grid.
(Ord. 3930, passed 5-29-18)
Individuals engaged in the business of installing solar energy systems shall show proof of valid distributed generation installer certification as required by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Individuals having acquired a distributed generation installer certification may perform work required to install solar energy systems after receiving and paying for an approved permit to install.
(Ord. 3930, passed 5-29-18) Penalty, see § 160.99
PERMITS, FEES, AND STANDARDS
(A) Except as authorized by the City Council for public utility and/or public infrastructure purposes, solar energy systems shall only be permitted if accessory to a principal building and/or principal use.
(B) Roof and building-mounted solar energy systems shall have the mounting method documented on the provided plans. Site plans shall be signed and stamped by a licensed design professional.
(C) Any person seeking to erect, construct, install, or maintain a small solar energy system on property located within the city limits of the city shall obtain an electrical and building permit prior to the installation of any solar energy system. The fees for said permits shall be calculated per § 150.016. As part of the application for the required permits, a person seeking to erect, construct, install, or maintain a small solar energy system shall also submit a written narrative and graphic form, which shall include all of the items listed below:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of property owner;
(2) Name, address, and telephone number of the installer of the small solar energy system;
(3) Description of the proposed small solar energy system indicating the following:
(a) Plan showing the proposed location of the system;
(b) System dimensions and specifications;
(c) Evidence showing compliance with all applicable setback requirements;
(d) Evidence showing compliance with applicable setback and/or height regulations;
(e) Distance to any roads or overhead utility lines; and
(f) Compliance with each regulation contained herein.
(4) A licensed design professional shall stamp all plans and specifications for the proposed small solar energy system. These plans shall include certification, signed and stamped from said professional, that the structure on which the solar system is being installed will support the proposed solar energy system; and
(5) Utility notification. No grid-intertie photovoltaic cell system shall be installed until evidence has been given to the City Electrical Inspector that the person seeking to erect or install the small solar energy system has submitted notification to the utility company of their intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator. Off-grid systems are exempt from this requirement.
(D) The City Fire Department shall review the application for an electrical permit to verify that adequate roof access will be allowed for emergency personnel in the case of an emergency.
(E) Small solar energy systems shall be installed according to manufacturer specifications and in accordance with all applicable city building codes, electrical codes, fire codes, and other ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations pertaining to small solar energy systems.
(F) Electric solar energy system components must have a UL listing.
(G) All small solar energy systems shall have a lockable, utility accessible, load breaking, manual disconnect switch, which can be utilized to connect and/or disconnect all electric solar energy system components. The manual disconnect switch shall be located not more than four feet from the building's electric service meter. The manual disconnect switch shall not be obstructed from access in any manner, including, but not limited to, landscaping, shrubs, trees, terraces, fencing, and the like.
(H) All small solar energy systems shall have caution labels installed and/or placed on the system as required by the Electrical Code and as required by the power utility.
(I) Type permitted and maximum roof area.
(1) For properties zoned residential:
(a) Building-integrated solar energy systems and/or flush-mounted solar energy systems are permitted to be installed on any roof area;
(b) The solar collector surface area shall not cover more than 60% of any roof area upon which the solar collectors are mounted, and shall be set back on the roof edges and ridge as required by the Fire Code and Electrical Code.
(c) Requests for solar collector surface area greater than 60% of any roof area, but which does not depart from the setback requirements, may be allowed following the applicant securing a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals; and
(d) Glare from solar collector surfaces shall be oriented away from neighboring windows.
(2) For properties zoned business or manufacturing:
(a) Building-integrated solar energy systems and/or flush-mounted solar energy systems are permitted to be installed on any roof area;
(b) The solar collector surface area shall not cover more than 60% of any roof area upon which the solar collectors are mounted, and shall be set back on the roof edges and ridge as required by the Fire Code and Electrical Code;
(c) Requests for solar collector surface area greater than 60% of any roof area, but which does not depart from the setback requirements, may be allowed following the applicant securing a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals; and
(d) Glare from solar collector surfaces shall be oriented away from neighboring windows.
(J) Maximum permitted height and building projection/extension.
(1) For properties zoned residential:
(a) The small solar energy system shall conform to the height regulations of the zoning district in which the property where the system is to be installed, mounted, and/or built is located;
(b) Non-flush-mounted solar energy systems shall not extend above the highest point on the roof line; and
(c) Small solar energy systems shall not project/extend beyond the exterior wall of any building on which the system has been installed, mounted, or built.
(2) For properties zoned business or manufacturing.
(a) The small solar energy system shall conform to the height regulations of the zoning district in which the property where the system is to be installed, mounted, and/or built is located;
(b) Non-flush-mounted solar energy systems shall not extend above the highest point on the roof line or a parapet wall; and
(c) Small solar energy systems shall not project/extend beyond the exterior wall of any building on which the system has been installed, mounted, or built.
(K) Self-contained solar energy systems. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a self-contained solar energy system, provided, however, that a self-contained solar energy system(s) shall be limited to an aggregate solar collector surface area of less than or equal to six square feet.
(Ord. 3930, passed 5-29-18) Penalty, see § 160.99
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