A zoning permit shall be required for the installation of a
solar energy system. The application for a zoning permit shall include
the following documents and information. The information submitted
by the applicant must demonstrate compliance with the provisions of
this article. In the event the Zoning Officer does not believe the
provisions of this article will be satisfied, an applicant may request
a variance from the Penns Grove Planning Board.
A. Structural engineering information and data for rooftop and ground-mounted
arrays from a licensed New Jersey engineer shall be provided.
B. The zoning permit application shall be accompanied by a plot plan
which includes the following as applicable:
(1)
Property lines and dimensions.
(2)
Location, dimension, and types of existing major structures
on the property.
(3)
Location, dimension, and type of the proposed solar energy system.
(4)
Orientation of the solar energy system.
(5)
The right-of-way of any public road that is contiguous with
the property.
(6)
Overhead utility lines and easements.
(7)
Proposed screening for ground-mounted systems and equipment.
(8)
Location and size of existing trees within and next to the area
of the proposed ground-mounted system, as well as any tree proposed
to be altered or removed.
(9)
The manufacturer's solar energy system specification/cut
sheets certified by a licensed New Jersey engineer, including manufacturer
and model.
(10)
Notification of the utility company for interconnection purposes.
(11)
The locations of landmark and specimen trees.
C. Fee. The application for a zoning permit for a solar energy system
must be accompanied by the zoning permit fee. The fee for such a permit
shall be $100.
D. Expiration. A permit issued pursuant to this section shall expire
if:
(1)
The solar system is not installed and functioning within 24
months from the date the permit is issued; or
(2)
The energy system is out of service or otherwise unused for
a continuous twelve-month period.
Any solar energy system that has generated no electricity for
a period of 12 months shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be
decommissioned within a six-month period of such abandonment and subject
to the following requirements:
A. Decommissioning shall include the removal of the entire solar panel
array and all associated facilities and equipment connected thereto
from the premises and the cleaning and restoration of the area to
a pre-installation condition.
B. If said decommissioning has not been completed within the requisite
six-month period, then the Borough's Zoning Officer shall provide
written notice by certified mail to the landowner requiring that decommissioning
be completed within 30 days of the receipt of said notice.
C. If the decommissioning has not been completed within 30 days of the
receipt of said notice, the Borough may either undertake the decommissioning
and charge the landowner and/or facility owner and operator for all
of the costs and expenses thereof, including reasonable attorney's
fees, or take appropriate legal action to compel the decommissioning.
All costs incurred by the Borough shall be billed to the landowner
and, if not paid within 60 days of billing, shall become a lien against
the property in the same manner that unpaid taxes would become a lien
pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey.
[Amended 7-5-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-5]
Solar systems that connect to the electric utility shall comply
with New Jersey's Net Metering and Interconnection Standards
for Class I Renewable Energy Systems at N.J.A.C. 14:8-4.
Solar energy systems installed prior to the adoption of this
article are exempt from the requirements of this article.