The purpose of this chapter is to encourage and promote green
energy systems while protecting the health and safety of the residents
of the Village of Caledonia by establishing regulations for the installation
of small-scale solar energy systems (as herein defined) for residential
and commercial purposes
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise,
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.
GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that has its solar collectors affixed
to the ground either directly or by support structures or other mounting
devices.
SMALL-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Any solar energy system that:
A.
Is an accessory use or structure, designed and intended to generate
energy primarily for a principal use located on site; although, if
excess energy is produced, it may be sold to a utility under a net
energy metering agreement; and
B.
Consists of an overall area of less than 5,000 square feet of
surface area of the solar collector(s).
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 useable 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 useable
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.
SOLAR-THERMAL ENERGY (STE) SYSTEM
For purposes of this chapter, any system which gathers sunlight
and converts it to heat for heating water or air for residential or
commercial use, which does not involve the generation of electricity.
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all solar energy
system installations modified or installed after the effective date
of this chapter.
BIPV systems are permitted outright in all zoning districts pursuant to Chapter
215. No additional building permit is required if the system is installed when the structure that the BIPV is part of is constructed.
Ground-mounted and freestanding solar collectors mounted on poles are permitted as accessory structures in all zoning districts pursuant to Chapter
215 of the Village of Caledonia Code, subject to the following conditions:
A. The location of the solar collectors must meet all applicable setback
requirements for accessory structures in the applicable zoning district.
B. The unit must be installed in a side or rear yard.
C. No unit shall exceed 15 feet in height from the ground unless an
area variance is obtained from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
D. The Village encourages installations that would employ landscape
screening and other methods of enhancing the appeal of the ground-mounted
and freestanding solar collector, such as the use of architectural
features, earth berms, or other screening which will harmonize with
the character of the property and surrounding area.
Small solar panels of less than one square yard for charging
batteries and powering small instruments or devices shall not require
a permit or engineering approval.