A. 
The Wales Town Board recognizes that solar energy is a clean, readily available and renewable energy source and that the Town of Wales intends to accommodate the use of solar systems.
B. 
However, the Town Board finds a need to properly site solar energy systems in the Town of Wales to protect residential and business areas and other land uses, to preserve the overall beauty, nature and character of the Town of Wales, to promote the effective and efficient use of solar energy, and to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Wales.
C. 
Prior to the adoption of this chapter, no specific procedures existed to address the siting of solar energy systems. Accordingly, the Town Board finds that the promulgation of this chapter is necessary to direct the location and construction of these systems.
D. 
Solar energy systems need to be regulated for removal when no longer utilized.
E. 
The Town Board finds that, because of the limited water supply in the Town of Wales, only solar energy systems which require water solely for the periodic cleaning of solar panels and solar energy systems requiring little or no water consumption shall be allowed in the Town of Wales.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY USE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Generates power solely for on-site use to benefit the principal use of the land. Accessory use solar energy systems exist on the same lot as the principal use and are subordinate, incidental to, and customarily found in connection with the principal use. Usually this system is a small-scale, roof-, building- or ground-mounted system designed to supply energy for a principal use on a residential, commercial or mixed-use parcel.
BUILDING- OR OTHER ARCHITECTURALLY INTEGRATED SOLAR ENGERGY SYSTEM
An active solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building. Building-integrated systems include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic or thermal solar systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights and awnings.
GLARE
The effect produced by light with an intensity sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility.
GRID-INTERTIE
A solar energy system connected directly to a utility.
GROUND-MOUNTED PANELS
Freestanding solar panels mounted to the ground by use of stabilizers or similar apparatus. Ground-mounted systems may be systems which are accessory to the principal use of the site and designed to supply energy to the principal use or may be a part of a solar farm operation.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
A solar energy system which converts solar energy directly to electricity.
PRINCIPAL USE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A principal use requiring a special use permit issued by the Town Board. This system is allowed conditioned upon compliance with specific requirements imposed to prevent any negative effects on adjacent properties and/or the community and consists of an overall footprint of greater than five and less than 50 acres. The requirements for this system may include, but are not limited to, those listed in this chapter.
ROOF- OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is mounted to the roof or building using brackets, stand or other similar apparatus; typically accessory to the land use.
SECONDARY USE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Provides energy partially for on-site uses but ships some off site. A secondary use solar energy system sited on a commercial or agricultural parcel provides energy for the on-site principal use while shipping a significant amount of energy off site to generate additional revenues.
SOLAR ACCESS
A view of the sun, from any point on the collector surface that is not obscured by any vegetation, building or object located on parcels of land other than the parcel upon which the solar collector is located, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Standard time, on any day of the year.
SOLAR ARRAY
A group of solar panels wired together.
SOLAR COLLECTOR
A device, structure or part of a device or structure, the principal purpose of which is to transform solar radiant energy into thermal, mechanical, chemical or electrical energy.
SOLAR EASEMENT
A right, expressed as an easement, restriction, covenant or condition contained in any deed, contract or other written instrument executed by or on behalf of any landowner, for the purpose of ensuring adequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems.
SOLAR ENERGY
Radiant energy (direct, diffused or reflective) received from the sun.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (SES)
A system that collects or stores solar energy and transforms it into another form of energy or transfers heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical, thermal or chemical means.
SOLAR FARM
A utility-scale commercial facility that converts sunlight into electricity, whether by photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar thermal devices (CST), or other conversion technology, where the principal purpose of the land is to provide energy to off-site uses or wholesale sales of generated electricity.
SOLAR HOT-WATER SYSTEM
A system that includes a solar collector and a heat exchanger that heats or preheats water for building heating systems or other hot water needs.
SOLAR PANEL
That part or portion of a solar energy system containing one or more receptive cells or modules, the purpose of which is to convert solar energy for use in space heating, water heating or electricity.
SOLAR THERMAL
A water-cooled solar thermal energy system which converts water to steam to electricity.
A. 
Rooftop-mounted and building-mounted accessory use and secondary use solar energy systems are permitted in all zoning districts in the Town of Wales.
B. 
Ground-mounted accessory use and secondary use solar energy systems are permitted in all zoning districts in the Town, subject to site descriptions as stated in this chapter.
C. 
Principal use solar energy systems are permitted in agricultural zoning districts, subject to the issuance of a special use permit by the Town Board.