05-15-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Model Sustainable Development Ordinances6 Solar Energy Standards Solar Storage Unit - A component of a solar energy device that is used to store solar generated electricity or heat for later use. IV. Permitted Accessory Use - Active solar energy systems shall be allowed as an accessory use in all zoning classifications where structures of any sort are allowed, subject to certain requirements as set forth below. Active solar energy systems that do not meet the visibility standards in C. below will require a conditional use permit, except as provided in Section V. (Administrative Variances). A. Height - Active solar energy systems must meet the following height requirements: 1. Building- or roof- mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum allowed height in any zoning district. For purposes for height measurement, solar energy systems other than building-integrated systems shall be given an equivalent exception to height standards as building- mounted mechanical devices or equipment. 2. Ground- or pole-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 20 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt. B. Set-back - Active solar energy systems must meet the accessory structure setback for the zoning district and primary land use associated with the lot on which the system is located. 1. Roof-mounted Solar energy systems - In addition to the building setback, the collector surface and mounting devices for roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not extend beyond the exte- rior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built, unless the collector and mounting system has been explicitly engineered to safely extend beyond the edge, and setback standards are not violated. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a side yard exposure. 2. Ground-mounted Solar energy systems - Ground-mounted solar energy systems may not extend into the side-yard or rear setback when oriented at minimum design tilt. C. Visibility - Active solar energy systems shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the building or be screened from routine view from public right-of-ways other than alleys. The color of the solar collector is not required to be consistent with other roofing materials. 1. Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems - Building integrated photovoltaic solar energy systems shall be allowed regardless of whether the system is visible from the public right-of-way, provided the building component in which the system is integrated meets all required setback, land use or performance standards for the district in which the building is located. 2. Solar Energy Systems with Mounting Devices - Solar energy systems using roof mounting Building Integrated PV Building integrated solar energy systems can include solar energy systems built into roofing (existing technology includes both solar shingles and solar roofing tiles), into awnings, skylights, and walls. This ordinance only addresses build- ing integrated PV, but examples of building integrated solar thermal applications may also be available. Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems This ordinance sets a threshold for solar panels that they not be steeper than the finished roof pitch. Mounted systems steeper than the fin- ished roof pitch change the appearance of the roof, and sometimes create additional consider- ations in regard to the wind and drift load on structural roof components. Safety risks can be mitigated through structural review or roof structure modification if the aesthetic impacts are not a concern to the community. Height - Ground or Pole Mounted This ordinance sets a 20-foot height limit, as- suming a standard that is higher than typical height limits for accessory structures, but lower than the principal structure. Communities may want to consider balancing height with setback, allowing taller systems if set back farther, for instance, an extra foot of height for every addi- tional two feet of setback. Height - Rooftop System This ordinance notes exceptions to the height standard when other exceptions are granted in the ordinance. Communities should directly reference the exception language, rather than use the placeholder language here.