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Model Sustainable Development Ordinances4 Solar Energy Standards III. Definitions Active Solar Energy System - A solar energy system whose primary purpose is to harvest energy by transforming solar energy into another form of energy or transferring heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means. Building-integrated Solar Energy Systems - An active solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building. Building-integrated systems include but are not limited to photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, and awnings. Grid-intertie Solar Energy System - A photovoltaic solar energy system that is connected to an electric circuit served by an electric utility company. Off-grid Solar Energy System - A photovoltaic solar energy system in which the circuits energized by the solar energy system are not electrically connected in any way to electric circuits that are served by an electric utility company. Passive Solar Energy System - A solar energy system that captures solar light or heat without transforming it to another form of energy or transferring the energy via a heat exchanger. Photovoltaic System - An active solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity. Renewable Energy Easement, Solar Energy Easement - An easement that limits the height or location, or both, of permissible development on the burdened land in terms of a structure or vegeta- tion, or both, for the purpose of providing access for the benefited land to wind or sunlight passing over the burdened land. Renewable Energy System - A solar energy or wind energy system. Renewable energy systems do not include passive systems that serve a dual function, such as a greenhouse or window. Roof Pitch - The final exterior slope of a building roof calculated by the rise over the run, typically but not exclusively expressed in twelfths such as 3/12, 9/12, 12/12. Solar Access - A view of the sun, from any point on the collector surface, that is not obscured by any vegetation, building, or object for a minimum of four hours between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Standard time on any day of the year. Solar Definitions Not all these terms are used in this model ordinance, nor is this a complete list of solar definitions. As a community develops its own design standards for solar technology, many of the concepts defined here may be helpful in meet- ing local goals. For instance, solar daylighting devices may change the exterior appearance of the building, and the community may choose to distinguish between these devices and other archi- tectural changes.