A. The intent of these standards is to allow for the safe and effective development of solar energy systems that reduce the on-site consumption of fossil fuels or utility supplied electric energy throughout the Village of Kildeer. These regulations are intended to encourage the use of local renewable energy resources and promote sustainable building design and management practices in a manner that minimizes the appearance of a solar collection system.
B. Definitions:
GLARE: | The sensation of brightness within the visual field which causes annoyance, discomfort, or loss of visual performance and visibility. |
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL: | A semiconductor device that converts solar energy into electricity. |
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM: | An active solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity. |
SOLAR COLLECTOR: | A device, structure or a part of a device or structure for which the primary purpose is to transform solar radiant energy into thermal, mechanical, chemical 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: | Radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat or light by a solar collector. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (SES): | A system for which the primary purpose is to convert solar energy into thermal, mechanical or electrical energy for storage and use and reduce on-site consumption of utility power. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, ACTIVE: | A solar energy system whose primary purpose is to harvest energy by transforming solar energy into another form of energy or transferring heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical or chemical means. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING-INTEGRATE D: | A 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 systems include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic or hot water systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, awnings, shading devices and similar architectural components. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING-MOUNTED: | A solar energy system that is mounted on the roof of a principal building. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, FLUSH-MOUNTED: | A solar energy system that is mounted flush with a finished surface. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, FREESTANDING OR GROUND-MOUNTED: | A solar energy system not attached to another structure and is ground mounted on a rack or pole that is attached to the ground. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, JOINT: | A solar energy collector or storage mechanism that supplies energy for structures or processes on more than one lot or in more than one dwelling unit or leasehold, but not to the general public and involves at least two (2) owners or users. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, OFF GRID: | A photovoltaic solar energy system in which the circuits energized by the solar energy system are not electrically connected in any way to electric circuits that are served by an electric utility company. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, PASSIVE: | A solar energy system that captures solar light or heat without transforming it to another form of energy or transferring the energy via a heat exchanger. |
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, ROOF-MOUNTED: | A solar energy system mounted on a rack that is fastened to or ballasted on a building roof. |
SOLAR FARM: | A commercial facility that converts sunlight into electricity, whether by photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar thermal devices (CST), or other conversion technology, for the primary purpose of wholesale sales of generated electricity. |
SOLAR GARDEN: | A commercial solar-electric (photovoltaic) array that provides retail electric power (or a financial proxy for retail power) to multiple households or businesses residing or located off-site from the location of the solar energy system. |
SOLAR HEAT EXCHANGER: | A component of a solar energy device that is used to transfer heat from one substance to another, either liquid or gas. |
SOLAR MOUNTING DEVICES: | Racking, frames, or other devices that allow the mounting of a solar collector onto a roof surface or the ground. |
SOLAR PANEL: | A group of photovoltaic cells are assembled on a panel. Panels are assembled on-site into solar arrays. |
SOLAR STORAGE MECHANISM: | Equipment or elements such as piping and transfer mechanisms, containers, heat exchangers or controls thereof and gases, solids, liquids or combinations thereof that are utilized for storing solar energy, gathered by a solar collector, for subsequent use. |
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEM: | A system that includes a solar collector and a heat exchanger that heats or preheats water for building heating systems or other hot water needs, including residential domestic hot water and hot water for commercial processes. (Ord. 20-O-003, 1-21-2020) |