(A) Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed as follows:
FAA. Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A solar energy system and all associated equipment which converts solar energy into a usable electrical energy, heats water or produces hot air or other similar function through the use of solar panels.
SOLAR PANEL. A structure containing one or more receptive cells the purpose of which is to convert solar energy into useable electrical energy by way of a solar energy system.
WIND ENERGY SYSTEM. A wind energy conversion system consisting of a wind turbine, associated poles/towers and support structures and associated control or conversion of electronics which has a rated capacity consistent with applicable construction codes which will be used for on-site consumption but not including large diameter windmills.
WIND TURBINE. Equipment that converts energy from wind into electricity. This term includes the rotor, blades and associated mechanical and electrical conversation components necessary to generate, store and/or transfer energy.
(B) Wind energy systems.
(1) Wind energy systems for the purpose of generating electricity shall be permitted as an accessory use in all districts, subject to all other provisions of this chapter, if the following requirements are met:
(a) Due to the nature of the small residential lot sizes associated with Voorhees Township, large diameter, tall wind mills are prohibited.
(b) No wind energy system shall be constructed unless the property owner, wind energy system user and/or their authorized designee has obtained site plan approval in accordance with the provisions of the ULDO, provided that, in addition to such requirements, the applicant's submission shall contain the following:
1. Current property survey by a professional surveyor licensed in the State of New Jersey;
2. Plot plan showing the location of the proposed wind turbine tower or support pole, all right-of-way line(s) and the location of all utility lines;
3. A wind study prepared by a qualified individual to verify that the property conditions will produce the intended power generation by the wind turbine being considered;
4. Wind system specifications, wind study and design calculations for turbine, pole, foundation, roof mounting, etc.; and
5. Evidence that the applicant has met any and all New Jersey Board of Public Utility guidelines for wind energy systems.
(c) Wind-generating systems shall be restricted to vertical-axis wind turbine technology which meets the requirements set forth in division (B)(2) of this section.
(d) All electrical and structural design criteria shall meet the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23). All ground-mounted wind energy systems shall not be artificially lighted except to the extent required by the FAA or other applicable authority.
(e) Wind turbines contained in the wind energy system shall be designed with an automatic brake or other similar device to prevent over-speeding and excessive pressure on the tower structure.
(f) All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access.
(g) All moving parts of the wind energy system shall be a minimum of ten feet above ground level.
(h) The blades on the wind energy system shall be constructed of a corrosive-resistant material.
(i) All guy wires or any part of the wind energy system shall be located on the same lot as the wind energy system.
(j) The design of wind energy systems shall, to the extent reasonably possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend the system into the natural setting and existing environment. The wind energy system shall remain painted or finished in the color or finish that was originally applied by the manufacturer unless a different color is approved by the reviewing board.
(k) All components of the system shall be maintained in accordance with the most current requirements set forth in the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23).
(l) Wind energy systems shall comply with New Jersey's metering and interconnection standards.
(2) Vertical-axis wind turbines shall meet the following criteria:
(a) The system shall generate no more than ten kilowatts of power per residential dwelling or commercial building, or be sized to generate more power than what is required by said structure.
(b) Only one vertical-axis wind turbine shall be permitted on any lot.
(c) No vertical-axis wind turbine support pole or tower shall be constructed in the front yard of any property.
(d) A vertical-axis wind turbine shall be no more than 48 inches in diameter and 72 inches tall.
(e) The total height of a vertical-axis wind turbine shall be no more than 41 feet above ground surface to the top of the wind turbine unit.
(f) All parts or components of the wind energy system, including support poles, towers and vertical-axis wind turbines shall be set back a distance equal to its total height from any public right-of-way, overhead utility lines and all property lines.
(g) Support poles/towers and support foundations shall be designed by a professional engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey. In the event a vertical-axis wind turbine is proposed to be mounted to, or constructed on top of, an existing dwelling or building, the applicant shall also provide detailed calculations and engineering drawings of the proposed mounting. In no event shall cables be permitted to support towers, monopoles or roof-mounted structures.
(h) No signs, other than manufacturer warning signs and labels, shall be attached to any support pole, tower or turbine unit. In no event shall any such identification be visible from the property line or beyond.
(i) All units and unit installation shall be in accordance with all applicable state construction and electrical codes, including the National Electric Code. All units shall be grid-tied. All wiring shall be concealed under the roof line, below the roof deck structure or under ground.
(j) Noise energy levels shall not exceed 55 decibels at a common property line, provided that such level may be exceeded during short-term events such as utility outages and severe windstorms.
(C) Solar energy systems.
(1) Solar energy systems for the purpose of generating electricity shall be permitted as an accessory use in all zones, subject to all other provisions of this chapter, if the following requirements are met:
(a) Solar energy systems may consist of photovoltaic cells, hot water collector applications and hot air applications.
(b) Flat roof-mounted solar energy systems may be constructed on residential dwellings, garages and accessory structures.
(c) Free-standing or ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be considered a structure and shall be subject to the regulations of the zone for such, together with all other requirements of this chapter and any other applicable building codes and ordinances, provided that no free-standing or ground-mounted solar energy system shall be constructed in the front yard of any property.
(d) Except for roof-mounted systems, which shall be exempt from site plan approval, no solar energy system shall be constructed unless the property owner, solar energy system user and/or their authorized designee has obtained site plan approval in accordance with the provisions of the ULDO, provided that, in addition to such requirements, the applicant's submission shall contain the following:
(e) No solar energy system shall be constructed unless the property owner, solar energy system user and/or their authorized designee has obtained site plan approval in accordance with the provisions of the ULDO, provided that, in addition to such requirements, the applicant's submission shall contain the following:
1. Current property survey by a professional surveyor licensed in the State of New Jersey showing all current improvements on the property and the proposed location of the solar energy system sought to be constructed;
2. A study, prepared by a qualified individual, to verify that the property conditions will produce the intended solar power generation based on property location, surrounding structures and building orientation; and
3. Solar energy system plan and specifications, including but not limited to detailed calculations and engineered drawings of the proposed mounting, prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey.
(e) Tree clearing and/or removal shall not be permitted for the construction of solar energy systems or to create a path to allow sunlight to reach the solar energy systems.
(f) No signs, other than manufacturer warning signs and labels, shall be attached to any solar panel or mounting material or equipment. In no event shall any such identification be visible from the property line or beyond.
(g) The design of solar energy systems shall, to the extent reasonably possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend the system into the natural setting and existing environment.
(2) Solar energy systems shall meet the following criteria:
(a) Solar energy systems shall generate no more than ten kilowatts of power per residential dwelling or commercial building, or be sized to generate more power than what is required by said structure.
(b) Roof-mounted solar energy systems, other than systems structurally attached to a flat roof, shall comply with the height restrictions of the zone provided that no such roof-mounted solar energy system shall project vertically above the peak of the roof or exceed a distance of three feet from the rooftop at any point.
(c) Solar energy systems structurally mounted on a flat roof shall comply with the height restrictions of the zone provided that same shall not exceed a distance of five feet above the roof.
(d) Free-standing or ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed six feet in height measured from ground level and shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from all property lines.
(e) All free-standing or ground- mounted solar energy systems shall be located so that any reflection is directed away or is properly buffered from an adjoining property.
(f) In the case where the reviewing board approves a roof-mounted, front-facing solar energy system, the solar panels must be flush-mounted to the roof.
(g) All units and unit installation shall be in accordance with all applicable state construction and electrical codes, including the National Electric Code. All units shall be grid-tied. All wiring shall be concealed under the roof line, below the roof deck structure or under ground.
(D) Abandonment and removal of wind and solar energy systems.
(1) Any wind or solar energy system permitted and installed in accordance with this chapter which has not been in active and continuous service for a period of one year shall be deemed abandoned.
(2) All abandoned wind or solar energy systems, including all support structures, structural enclosures and/or other materials accessory to the wind or solar energy system, shall be removed from the property to a place of safe and legal disposal.
(3) The former wind or solar energy site shall be restored to its natural condition within six months of removal of an abandoned wind or solar energy system from the property.
(Ord. 266-15, passed 5-11-15; Am. Ord. 391-21, passed 10-12-21)