Laserfiche WebLink
4 <br /> <br />Solar Energy System - A device or structural design feature, a substantial purpose of <br />which is to provide for the collection, storage and distribution of sunlight for space <br />heating or cooling, generation of electricity, water heating, or providing daylight for <br />interior lighting. <br /> <br />Solar Farm - A commercial facility that converts sunlight into electricity, whether by <br />photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar thermal devices (CST) or other conversion <br />technology, for the primary purpose of wholesale sales of generated electricity. A solar <br />farm is the principal land use for the parcel on which it is located. <br /> <br />Solar Mounting Devices - Racking, frames or other devices that allow the mounting of <br />a solar collector onto a roof surface or the ground. <br /> <br />*Staff notes that the primary difference between a Community Solar Garden and a Solar <br />Farm is that, while they both convert sunlight into energy for sale of the generated <br />energy, the Community Solar Garden has specific legislation that regulates development <br />and sales of power. <br /> <br />Generally solar systems can be broken down in a couple of ways: <br />1. Roof mounted or ground mounted <br />2. Accessory use or principal use <br /> <br />The community solar garden that the applicant is proposing would be considered a principal use. <br /> <br />Size/Scale of Solar <br /> <br />When we think about solar as a principal use like we would see with a community solar garden, <br />we need to think about size and scale. The applicant would only be allowed to develop a one <br />Megawatt facility which would require a minimum of five to eight-acres of land. The statute <br />does not allow more than one MW facility to be co-located, however, the statute does not spell <br />out how gardens constructed by a single developer and located adjacent to one another are <br />treated. Council could limit the total acreage of a solar farm on a site to 8 acres of panel coverage <br />(which would allow a 1 MW facility). <br /> <br />However, the city is not required to allow them to be this big. If the City is concerned about size, <br />they could limit the size to something smaller or they could provide a minimum site area. <br />However, most community solar garden developers will not install a solar garden that is less than <br />1 MW. <br /> <br />Should the City have a minimum lot size? If so, what would be appropriate? Should it be <br />different in different districts? <br /> <br />Location <br /> <br />1. Should community solar gardens or solar farms be allowed in Lino Lakes? If so where? <br />