As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM
Structure, equipment devices or construction techniques for
the production of heat, light, cooling, electricity or other forms
of energy on site and may be attached to or separate from the principal
structure.
COLLECTIVE SOLAR
Solar installation owned collectively through subdivision
homeowner association, college student groups, "adopt-a-solar-panel,"
or other similar arrangements.
FLUSH-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL
Photovoltaic panels and tiles that are installed flush to
the surface of a roof or wall and which cannot be angled or raised.
NET METERING
A billing arrangement that allows solar customers to get
credit for excess electricity that they generate and deliver back
to the grid so that they only pay for their net electricity usage.
PERMIT-GRANTING AUTHORITY
The Town of Fort Edward authority charged with granting permits
for the installation of alternative energy systems.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
A solar energy system that produces electricity by the use
of semiconductor devices, called photovoltaic cells, that generate
electricity when light strikes them.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLER
A person who has skills and knowledge related to the construction
and operation of solar electrical equipment and installations and
has received safety training on the hazards involved. Persons who
are on the list of eligible photovoltaic installers maintained by
the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
or who are certified as a solar installer by the North American Board
of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), shall be deemed to be
qualified solar installers for the purposes of this definition. Persons
who are not on NYSERDA's or NABCEP's list of certified installers
may still be deemed to be qualified solar installers if the Town of
Fort Edward determines such persons to have had adequate training
to determine the degree and extent of the hazard and the personal
protective equipment and job planning necessary to perform the installation
safely. Such training shall include the proper use of special precautionary
techniques and personal protective equipment, as well as the skills
and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from
other parts of electrical equipment and to determine the nominal voltage
of the exposed parts.
ROOFTOP OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR SYSTEM
A solar system in which solar panels are mounted on top of
the structure of a roof either as a flush-mounted system or as modules
fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the south at an optimal
angle.
SOLAR ACCESS
Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade including
the orientation of the streets and lots to the sun so as to permit
the use of active and/or passive solar energy systems on individual
properties.
SOLAR COLLECTOR
A solar photovoltaic cell, panel or array, or any solar hot
air or solar energy collector which relies upon solar radiation as
an energy source for the generation of electricity or transfer of
stored energy to heat, air or water.
SOLAR EASEMENT
An easement recorded pursuant to the New York Real Property
Law § 335-b, the purpose of which is to secure the right
to receive sunlight across real property of another for continued
access to sunlight necessary to operate a solar collector.
SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENT/SYSTEM
Solar collectors, controls, energy storage devices, heat
pumps, heat exchangers, and other materials, hardware or equipment
necessary to the process by which solar radiation is collected and
converted into another form of energy and is stored, protected from
unnecessary dissipation and distributed. Solar systems include solar
thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated solar.
SOLAR PANEL
A device for the direct conversion of solar energy into electricity.
SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY
A device that stores energy from the sun and makes it available
in an electrical form.
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEM
Solar thermal systems directly heat water or other liquid
using sunlight. The heated liquid is used for such purposes as space
heating and cooling, domestic hot water, and heating pool water.
Any person aggrieved over any order, requirement, decision or
determination by an administrative agency pursuant to the provisions
of this article may present an appeal for redress to the Board of
Appeals in accordance with the provisions of § 267, Subdivision
2, of the Town Law and this article.
This article is hereby adopted pursuant to the provisions of
§ 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law and §§ 264
and 265 of the Town Law.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or
part of this article or the application thereof to any person, individual,
corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be adjudged
by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional,
such order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the
remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause,
sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this article,
or in its application to the person, individual, corporation, firm,
partnership, entity, or circumstance directly involved in the controversy
in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.
This article shall take effect immediately after filing with
the New York State Secretary of State.