(a) The facility owner and operator of a Utility solar generating system shall, at its expense, complete decommissioning of the solar energy facility, or individual solar generating panels/arrays within 12 months after the end of the useful life of the facility or individual panel/arrays.
(b) The solar energy facility or individual generating panels/arrays will presume to be at the end of its useful life if no electricity is generated for a continuous period of 12 months.
(c) Decommissioning shall include removal of panels and mounting structures, buildings, cabling, electrical components, roads, foundations to a depth of 36 inches, and any other associated facilities.
(d) Disturbed earth shall be graded and re-seeded, unless the landowner requests in writing that the access roads or other land surface areas not be restored.
(e) An independent and certified professional engineer shall be retained to estimate the total cost of decommissioning (decommissioning costs) without regard to the salvage value of the equipment, the cost of decommissioning net salvage value of the equipment (net decommissioning costs). Said estimates shall be submitted to the Village at the time of application for the Conditional Use Permit and every fifth year thereafter.
(f) Before construction of the facility or panel/arrays may commence, the facility owner or operator shall post and maintain decommissioning funds in an amount equal to the net decommissioning costs; provided, that at no point shall decommissioning funds be less than 50% of decommissioning costs. The decommissioning funds shall be posted and maintained with a bonding company or Federal or State chartered lending institution chosen by the facility owner or operator and participating landowner posting the financial security, provided that the bonding company or lending institution is authorized to conduct such business with the state and is approved by the Village.
(g) Decommissioning funds may be in the form of a performance bond, surety bond, letter of credit, corporate guarantee or other form of financial assurance as may be acceptable to the Village Director of Law.
(h) If the facility owner or operator fails to complete decommissioning within the period prescribed by subsection (a) above, then the landowner shall have six months to complete decommissioning.
(i) If neither the facility owner or operator, nor the landowner complete decommissioning within the periods prescribed by subsection (a) and (h) above, then the Village may take such measures as necessary to complete decommissioning. The landowner shall reimburse to the Village all costs associated with the Village's decommissioning of a wind energy facility. Said costs may be certified to the County Auditor as a lien upon the property should the landowner fail to reimburse the Village.
(j) The escrow agent shall release the decommissioning funds when the facility owner or operator has demonstrated and the Village concurs that decommissioning has been satisfactorily completed, or upon written approval of the municipality in order to implement the decommissioning plan. (Ord. 2013-31. Passed 12-16-13.)