A. Purpose: The intent of this section is to encourage the development of commercial solar energy conversion systems (SECS) while protecting the public health, safety and general welfare.
B. Shade Structures: Non-commercial building-mounted solar systems, including solar energy conversion systems (SECS) used as parking lot shade structures, shall not require a CUP provided the structure is conforming, houses or is accessory to a permitted use, and meets all Building Code requirements.
C. Acknowledgment/Approval: Written acknowledgment and general approval from the public utility must be included in all commercial SECS applications.
D. Siting Requirements:
1. Parcel Size: A minimum parcel size of ten (10) acres net is required. No part of the commercial SECS shall be located within or over drainage, utility or other established easements.
2. Setback: Each commercial SECS array must be set back a minimum of one thousand five hundred feet (1,500') from the boundary of any Residential Zoning District or be separated by a topographic feature of a height sufficient to completely obstruct views of the commercial SECS from a point sixteen (16) vertical feet above the boundary of any Residential Zoning District if the horizontal distance between the nearest point of the array and a Residential Zoning District boundary is less than one thousand five hundred feet (1,500').
3. Components: All components of the commercial SECS must be set back from the property boundary a minimum of thirty feet (30').
4. Comstock Historic District: In addition to all other requirements, all proposed commercial SECS located within the Comstock Historic District, as established by the Comstock Historical Commission pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes chapter 384, shall receive a review, approval and a certificate of appropriateness from the Comstock Historic District Commission prior to submitting an application for a conditional use permit.
5. Height: Unless otherwise approved the total extended height of a commercial SECS shall not exceed twenty four feet (24'). The system must be in compliance with FAA regulations regarding height and lighting.
6. Minimum Standards: Standards for access, noise, design and installation, etc., shall meet or exceed the requirements of chapter 337, "Performance Requirements For Industrial Uses", of this title. However, conditions placed on the conditional use permit may be more restrictive than the minimum standards provided in this chapter.
7. Building Permit: A permit from the County Building Department is required to install a commercial SEC system in Lyon County. In evaluating whether to approve a building permit, the building official may request and consider:
a. Supporting technical data,
b. Test reports, and
c. Appropriate documentation from approved sources.
8. Variance: Deviations from the standards established by this chapter shall require a variance in accordance with chapter 203 of this title. (Ord. 603, 11-1-2018)