(A) General requirements. The requirements set forth in this subchapter shall govern the construction and installation or installation of all renewable energy systems.
(B) Applicability. The provisions of this subchapter are intended to establish parameters by which solar energy systems may be installed in the Village of Pewamo. Additional renewable energy installations not addressed explicitly herein may be authorized, subject to compliance with the applicable building codes and standards of the Village of Pewamo and Ionia County.
(C) Use. Except as authorized by the Village Planning Committee and Village Council for public utility purpose, a renewable energy system shall be accessory to the principal permitted use of a site.
(D) Approvals. Approval granted to an individual property owner for a renewable energy system under the provisions of this subchapter shall not be construed to bar owners or tenants of any adjacent property from ordinary or permitted building, landscaping or other accessory improvements, even if such improvements may diminish the function of said renewable energy system.
(E) Permitting and installation.
(1) Village of Pewamo and Ionia County building permits are required prior to the installation of any renewable energy system. Before building permits are issued, the following shall be submitted to the Village of Pewamo and Ionia County building department:
(a) A site plan showing:
1. Name, address and phone number of the property owner;
2. Property lines;
3. All structures;
4. Setback lines;
5. Location of all solar panels and associated equipment, or wind power system; and
6. Location of the electrical disconnect for the solar energy system or wind power system.
(b) A letter or other evidence that the local electric utility has been informed of the customer's and property owner's intent to install a customer-owned solar energy system or wind power system.
(c) A letter or other evidence that the site plan has been submitted to the local fire protection department for comment.
(d) A letter or other evidence that proper warning signage has been located to inform utilities of solar panels or wind system that are present on site.
(2) The owner of a renewable energy system shall ensure that it is installed and maintained in compliance with applicable building and safety codes adopted by the village, Ionia County and any other state or federal agency of applicable jurisdiction.
(3) All wiring associated with a renewable energy system shall be underground and contained within a raceway that complements the building materials of the principal structure.
(F) Interconnection with public utilities - electric.
(1) Energy produced by a renewable energy system shall be utilized on site, except for net metering as authorized by the Village of Pewamo and other applicable regulatory agencies required by law.
(2) The interconnection of any renewable energy system to the electric distribution grid shall be in accordance with applicable regulatory agencies required by law.
(G) Illumination of a renewable energy system is prohibited.
(H) No signage or attention-getting device is permitted on any renewable energy system.
(I) Screening - roofs. There shall be no required physical screening for renewable energy systems installed on roofs.
(J) Screening - grade. There shall be required physical screening for renewable energy systems installed on grade. Screening shall comply with the privacy fence division, §153.080(W).
(Ord. 2019-02, passed 6-10-2019)