(A) Solar structures.
(1) Buildings or roof-mounted structures shall not exceed above the maximum height requirement for the principal building and shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built.
(2) Solar structures must be setback from property lines a minimum of 100 feet or meet the accessory structure setback and locations for the district, whichever is more restrictive, if not attached to a roof when oriented at minimum design tilt.
(3) Solar structures, when not attached to a roof or building, must use sun-tracking or a similar sun-tracking feature. Solar structures must be placed at a same elevation to each other in the same row. A topographic exhibit showing the proposed solar array heights must be submitted for review. Additional section exhibits may be required to determine appropriate solar array heights adjacent to existing structures or properties.
(B) Solar garden/farm. The minimum lot size for a solar garden/farm is five acres with a maximum lot size of 30 acres.
(C) Screening. Solar garden/farm shall be screened from view of adjacent residential zoning districts and public roads with native species of evergreen trees planted by the property owner on the subject property in a double staggered row along the property line. The property owner must also erect a security fence along all property lines. Both the fence and row of evergreen trees must be well-maintained by the property owner. The Planning Commission may request a maintenance plan for the fence and row(s) of evergreen trees during development review. Screening for solar gardens/farms as outlined in this section must be accomplished to the greatest extent possible without affecting their function.
(D) Abandonment. Any solar garden/farm which is inoperable for 12 successive months shall be deemed abandoned and a public nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at his or her expense. A decommissioning plan and a financial guarantee in the form of a bond, letter of credit, or cash escrow will be required outlining the removal of all structures and electrical components as part of the interim use permit.
(E) Power, communication lines. All on-site site power and communication lines running between solar panels and buildings shall be buried underground on the premises.
(F) Jurisdiction. Solar farms must meet any limitations or requirements set by state statute or the state's Public Utilities Commission. Solar farms that generate a capacity of more than 50 megawatts shall fall under the jurisdiction of the state’s Public Utilities Commission.
(Prior Code, § 305.07) (Ord. passed 12-18-2007; Ord. passed 7-2-2018; Ord. passed --; Ord. passed 4-2-2024) Penalty, see § 162.999