As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply.
(a) “Closed-Loop Geothermal System.” A type of geothermal heating and/or cooling system that utilizes a pressurized heat exchanger consisting of pipe, a circulating pump, and a water source heat pump in which the heat transfer fluid is not exposed to the atmosphere. The heat transfer fluid is potable or beneficial reuse water and may have approved antifreeze added.
(b) “Geothermal System.” A system that uses a heat pump to extract heat from the earth in heating mode and/or reject heat into the earth in cooling mode. It is also called a geothermal heat pump system, a ground-coupled heat pump system, an earth-source heat pump system, and a GeoExchange system.
(c) “Ground Mounted System.” A solar photovoltaic system mounted on a structure, pole or series of poles constructed specifically to support the photovoltaic system and not attached to any other structure.
(d) “Impervious Surface.” A surface area that prevents or retards the infiltration of water into the soil and/or a hard surface area that causes water to run off the surface of the ground in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from the conditions prior to development, construction, building or installation.
(e) Meteorological Tower (Met Tower).” Includes the tower, base plate, anchors, guy wires and hardware, anemometers(wind speed indicators), wind direction vanes, booms to hold equipment for anemometers and vanes, data loggers, instrument wiring, and any telemetry devices that are used to monitor or transmit wind speed and wind flow characteristics over a period of time for either instantaneous wind information or to characterize the wind resource at a given location. For the purpose of this chapter, met towers shall refer only to those whose purpose are to analyze the environmental factors needed to assess the potential to install, construct or erect a small wind conversion energy system.
(f) “Modification.” Any change to the small wind conversion energy system that materially alters the size, type or location of the small wind energy system. Like-kind replacements shall not be construed to be a modification.
(g) “Net Metering.” The difference between the electricity supplied to a customer over the electric distribution system and the electricity generated by the customer’s small wind conversion energy system that is fed back into the electric distribution system over a billing period.
(h) “Open-Loop Geothermal System.” A type of geothermal heating and/or cooling system that utilizes a water-supply well and a water pump to deliver ground water to a water-source heat pump. The discharge water from the water-source heat pump may be returned to the subsurface through a recharge well or infiltration bed, or may be discharged into a pond, lake, or stream. A spring may also be the source of the ground water supply.
(i) “Roof Mounted System.” A solar photovoltaic system attached to any part or type of roof on a building or structure that has an occupancy permit on file with the City and that is either the principal structure or an accessory structure on a recorded lot. This system also includes any solar-based architectural elements.
(j) “Shadow Flicker.” The visible flicker effect when rotating blades of the wind generator cast shadows on the ground and nearby structures causing a repeating pattern of light and shadow.
(k) “Small Wind Conversion Energy System (Private Use).” Means a system consisting of a wind turbine, tower, and associated control or conversion electronics for the purpose of providing electrical power to a lawful principle use. A system having a rated capacity of 100 kW or less for non-residential uses shall be considered a private use system for the purposes of the regulations. These systems are considered accessory uses in the GI zoning district.
(l) “Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System.” A solar collection system consisting of one or more roof and/or ground-mounted systems, solar photovoltaic cells, panels or arrays and solar related equipment that rely upon solar radiation as an energy source for collection, inversion, storage and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation. A solar PV system is a generation system with a nameplate capacity of not greater than 50 kilowatts when used as an accessory use in a residential zoning district. A solar PV system permitted as an accessory use in a non-residential zoning district shall not exceed a nameplate capacity larger than 3,000 kilowatts. The on-site energy production of any solar PV system located within the City shall not exceed an energy level greater than the amount currently permitted by the Ohio Public Utility Commission guidelines.
(m) “System Height.” The vertical distance from ground level to the tip of the wind generator blade when it is at its highest point.
Small Wind Conversion Energy System Height Measurement
Methods to Determine the Height of a Small Wind Conversion Energy System
(n) “Tower.” The monopole, guyed monopole or lattice structure that supports a wind generator.
(o) “Tower Height.” The height above grade of the fixed portion of the tower, excluding the wind generator.
Small Wind Conversion Energy System Tower Height Measurement
Methods to Determine the Height of a Small Wind Conversion Energy System Tower
(p) “Tracking System.” A number of photovoltaic modules mounted such that they track the movement of the sun across the sky to maximize energy production, either with a single-axis or dual-axis mechanism.
(q) “Wind Generator.” The blades and associated mechanical and electrical conversion components mounted on top of the tower whose purpose is to convert kinetic energy of the wind into rotational energy used to generate electricity.
(Ord. 2022-24. Passed 5-24-22.)