As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure, the use of which is customarily incidental and
subordinate to that of the principal building and is attached thereto,
and is located on the same lot or premises as the principal building.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Structures, equipment, devices or construction techniques
used 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 building.
COLLECTIVE SOLAR
Solar installations owned collectively through subdivision
homeowners' associations, college student groups, "adopt-a-solar-panel"
programs, or other similar arrangements.
EXPEDITED REVIEW
The grant of a priority status to an application that results
in the review of the application ahead of applications filed prior
thereto, including applications which may be currently under review
by the applicable agency.
FLUSH-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL
Photovoltaic panels and tiles that are installed flush to
the surface of a roof and which cannot be angled or raised.
FREESTANDING OR GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is directly installed in/on the
ground, or as modules fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the
south at an optimal angle, and which is not attached or affixed to
an existing structure.
LARGE-SCALE SOLAR
For purposes of this article, the term "large-scale solar"
refers to solar photovoltaic systems that produce 23 kilowatts (kW)
per hour of energy or more, or solar-thermal systems which, although
they may serve the building or electrical service to which they are
attached, provide energy for other buildings, other properties or
the commercial electrical grid.
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 they only pay for their net electricity usage at the
end of the month.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
A solar energy system that produces electricity by the use
of semiconductor devices, called "photovoltaic cells," that generate
electricity whenever 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 list of eligible installers or NABCEP's list
of certified installers may be deemed to be qualified solar installers
if the Town determines such persons 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 exposed live parts.
ROOFTOP OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR SYSTEM
A solar power 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.
SMALL-SCALE SOLAR
For purposes of this article, the term "small-scale solar"
refers to solar photovoltaic systems that produce less than 23 kilowatts
(kW) per hour of energy or solar-thermal systems which serve only
the building or electrical service to which they are attached and
do not provide energy for any other buildings.
SOLAR ACCESS
Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade, including
the orientation of 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 solar hot-air
or -water collector device, which relies upon solar radiation as an
energy source for the generation of electricity or transfer of stored
heat.
SOLAR EASEMENT
An easement recorded pursuant to 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, converted
into another form of energy, 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 POWER FAST-TRACK PROGRAM
A program to expedite all applications for commercial and
residential solar panel installation to encourage the use of reliable
and clean renewable energy.
SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY
A device that stores energy from the sun and makes it available
in an electrical form.
SOLAR-THERMAL SYSTEMS
Solar thermal systems directly heat water or other liquids
using sunlight. The heated liquid is used for purposes such as space
heating and cooling, domestic hot water, and heating pool water.