Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR/PHOTOVOLTAIC (BIPV) SYSTEM
A solar energy system incorporated into and becoming part
of the overall architecture and design of a building or structure
in a manner that the solar energy system is a permanent and integral
part of the building envelope or structure.
BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is affixed to the side(s) of a
building or other structure either directly or by means of support
structures or other mounting devices, but not including those mounted
to the roof or top surface of a building. Solar energy systems constructed
over a parking lot are considered building-mounted solar energy systems.
COMMUNITY IMPACT ANALYSIS
An analysis to determine impacts on the community known as
Royalton and its residents caused by the project. Impacts such as
the project making the community a less appealing place to live; does
the project create new or unique threats to the residents; are there
adverse social or family impacts such as substantial loss of the value
of the home or anxiety among school-age children or substantial change
of home environment by proximity of the project.
HEIGHT
Solar equipment shall be measured from the ground to the
highest point of any structure or equipment (for panels, this is at
maximum tilt and its maximum height, if applicable).
HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT
A contract between a developer and a local governing body,
whereby the developer agrees to provide the community with certain
benefits and mitigate specified impacts of the solar project.
NATIVE PERENNIAL VEGETATION
Native wildflowers, forbs, and grasses that serve as habitat,
forage, and migratory way stations for pollinators and shall not include
any prohibited or regulated invasive species as determined by the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
NET METERING
A billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners
for the electricity they add to the grid. For example, if a residential
customer has a PV system on their roof, it may generate more electricity
than the home uses during daylight hours.
NONPARTICIPATING PROPERTY
A property that is not affiliated with a solar energy system
project in any contractual way related to the solar project.
PARCEL(S)
A tract of land owned by an individual or entity leased or
otherwise controlled by an applicant upon which a solar energy system
is proposed to be constructed.
PARTICIPATING PROPERTY
A property that is being leased for solar usage, or a property
that has an agreement or lease related to the solar project.
POLLINATOR
Bees, birds, bats, and other insects or wildlife that pollinate
flowering plants and include both wild and managed insects.
PRIME FARMLAND
Land, designated as "prime farmland" or "prime farmland where
drained" in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS)'s Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database on
Web Soil Survey, that has the best combination of physical and chemical
characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed
crops and is also available for these land uses.
REFLECTOR, SOLAR
A device for which the sole purpose is to increase the solar
radiation received by a solar collector.
SOLAR ACCESS
Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade so
as to permit the use of active and/or passive solar energy systems
on individual properties.
SOLAR COLLECTOR
A solar or photovoltaic cell, plate, panel, film, array,
reflector, or other structure affixed to the ground, a building, or
other structure that harnesses solar radiation to directly or indirectly
generate thermal, chemical, electrical, or other usable energy, or
that reflects or concentrates solar radiation to a solar or photovoltaic
cell, plate, panel, film, array, reflector, or other structure that
directly or indirectly generates thermal, chemical, electrical, or
other usable energy.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A complete system intended for the collection, inversion,
storage, and/or distribution of solar energy and that directly or
indirectly generates thermal, chemical, electrical, or other usable
energy. A solar energy system consists of, but is not limited to,
solar collectors, mounting devices or structures, generators/turbines,
water and energy storage and distribution systems, storage, maintenance
and/or other accessory buildings, inverters, combiner boxes, meters,
transformers, and all other mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components.
(For the purposes of this section, solar energy systems do not include
battery energy storage components. They are defined and regulated
under a separate law).
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
The components and subsystems required to convert solar energy
into electric energy suitable for use. A solar energy system is classified
as a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 solar energy system as follows:
(b)
[1]
Is an accessory use or structure designed and intended to generate
energy primarily for use on site, potentially by multiple tenants,
through a distribution system or electrical grid that is not available
to the general public. Net metering is allowed, but the solar energy
system cannot generate more than 110% of the electricity consumed
on the site over the previous 12 months.
[2]
Consists of an overall footprint not exceeding 5,000 square
feet. Overall footprint shall be determined by the outline of the
solar panels and related structures and fencing created on the ground.
(c)
[1]
Is a ground-mounted principal use or structure designed and
intended to supply energy solely or primarily into a utility grid;
[2]
Does not meet the definition of a Tier 2 or Tier 4 system and
consists of an overall footprint of less than 20 acres. Overall footprint
shall be determined by the outline created on the ground, building/structure
surface, or combination thereof;
(d)
TIER 4 INDUSTRIAL-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMAn industrial-scale solar energy system exceeding the overall footprint requirements of a Tier 3 system as defined previously or not meeting the definition of a Tier 1, 2 or 3 solar energy system.
SOLAR SKYSPACE
The space between a solar collector and the sun through which
solar radiation passes.