For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACTIVE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. 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.
BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR SYSTEM. An active solar 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 component of the building. BUILDING-INTEGRATED SYSTEMS include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic or hot water solar systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights and awnings.
CLOSED LOOP GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM. A system that circulates a heat transfer fluid, typically food-grade antifreeze, through pipes or coils buried beneath the land surface or anchored to the bottom in a body of water.
FEEDER LINE. Any power line that carries electrical power from one or more wind turbines or individual transformers associated with an individual wind turbine to the point of interconnection with the electric power grid. In the case of interconnection with the high voltage transmission systems, the point of interconnection shall be the substation serving the WECS.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY. Renewable energy generated from the interior of the earth and used to produce energy for heating buildings or serving building commercial or industrial processes.
GROUND MOUNTED PANELS. Free-standing solar panels mounted to the ground by use of stabilizers or similar apparatus.
GROUND MOUNTED WECS. Free-standing WECS mounted to the ground with footings or other apparatus.
GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM (GSHPS). A system that uses the relatively constant temperature of the earth or a body of water to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. System components include closed loops of pipe, coils or plates; a fluid that absorbs and transfers heat; and a heat pump unit that processes heat for use or disperses heat for cooling; and an air distribution system. The energy must be used on-site.
HEAT TRANSFER FLUID. A non-toxic and food grade fluid such as potable water, aqueous solutions of propylene glycol not to exceed 20% by weight or aqueous solutions of potassium acetate not to exceed 20% by weight.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM. An active solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity.
RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM. A solar energy or wind energy system. RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS do not include passive systems that serve a dual function, such as a greenhouse or window.
ROOF- OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SES. Solar energy system (panels) that are mounted to the roof or building using brackets, stands or other apparatus.
ROOF PITCH. The final exterior slope of a building roof calculated by the rise over the run. typically, but not exclusively, expressed in twelfths such as three-twelfths, nine-twelfths, twelve-twelfths.
SOLAR ACCESS. A view of the sun, from any point on the collector surface that is not obscured by any vegetation, building or object located on parcels of land other than the parcel upon which the solar collector is located, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. standard time on any day of the year.
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 EASEMENT. An easement that limits the height or location, or both, of permissible development on the burdened land in terms of a structure or vegetation, or both, for the purpose of providing access for the benefitted land to wind or sunlight passing over the burdened land.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (SES). An active solar energy system that collects or stores solar energy and transforms solar energy into another form of energy or transfers heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical or chemical means.
SOLAR HOT WATER 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 purposes.
SOLAR MOUNTING DEVICES. Racking, frames or other devices that allow the mounting of a solar collector onto a roof surface or the ground.
WECS. A wind energy conversion system which is an electrical generating facility comprised of one or more wind turbines and accessory facilities, including, but not limited to, power lines, transformers, substations and metrological towers that operate by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. The energy must be used on-site with excess energy distributed into the electrical grid.
WECS, LARGE. A wind energy conversion system with a capacity over 100 kW.
WECS, SMALL. A wind energy conversion system with a capacity of up to 100 kW.
WIND ENERGY SYSTEM. Kinetic energy present in wind motion that can be converted into electrical energy.
(Prior Code, § 1128.02)