(a) Design Safety Certification: The design of the wind energy system shall conform to applicable industry standards, including those of the American National Standards Institute. The applicant shall submit certificates of design compliance obtained by the equipment manufacturers from Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd Wind Energies, or other similar certifying organizations.
(b) Ohio Building Code. Wind energy systems shall comply with all applicable sections of the State of Ohio Building Code.
(c) Controls and Brakes: All wind energy systems shall be equipped with a redundant braking system. This includes both aerodynamic over speed controls (including variable pitch, tip, and other similar systems) and mechanical brakes. Mechanical brakes shall be operated in a fail-safe mode. Stall regulation shall not be considered a sufficient braking system for over speed protection.
(d) Electrical Components: All electrical components of the wind energy system shall conform to relevant and applicable local, state and national codes and relevant and applicable international standards.
(e) Visual Appearance:
(1) The color of a wind energy system shall either be the stock color from the manufacturer or painted with a non-reflective, unobtrusive color that blends in with the surrounding environment.
(2) Wind energy systems shall not be artificially lighted, except to the extent required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other applicable authority that regulates air safety. If lighting is required, the applicant shall provide a copy of the Federal Aviation Administration determination to establish the required markings and/or lights for the wind energy system.
(3) Wind turbines shall not display advertising, except for reasonable identification of the turbine manufacturer, system owner and operator.
(4) On-site transmission and power lines between wind turbines shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be placed underground.
(5) Clearing of natural vegetation shall be limited to that which is necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of wind energy systems and as otherwise prescribed by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
(f) Blade Clearance. The vertical distance from ground level to the tip of a wind generator blade when the blade is at its lowest point shall be at least 30 feet.
(g) Warnings:
(1) Clearly visible warning sign concerning voltage must be placed at the base of all padmounted transformers and substations.
(2) Visible, reflective, colored objects, such as flags, reflectors, or tape shall be placed on the anchor points of guy wires and along the guy wires up to a height of (10) feet from ground level.
(h) Climb Prevention/Locks: Wind turbines shall not be climbable up to fifteen (15) feet above ground level. All access doors to wind turbines and electrical equipment shall be locked or fenced, as appropriate, to prevent entry by non-authorized persons.
(i) Signal Interference. The owner of a wind energy system must take reasonable steps to prevent and eliminate any interference with the transmission and reception of electromagnetic
communications, such as microwave, radio, telephone, or television signals.
(j) Maintenance:
(1) All wind energy systems shall be maintained in good working order.
(2) Any physical modification to the energy system that alters the mechanical load, mechanical load path, or major electrical components shall require reapplication. (Ord. 208-12. Passed 9-8-15.)