As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless the context or subject matter requires
otherwise.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Structures, equipment, devices or construction techniques
used for the production of heat, light, a cooling, electricity or
other forms of energy on site and may be attached to or separate from
the principal structure.
FLUSH-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL
A photovoltaic panel or tile that is installed flush to the
surface of the roof and which cannot be angled or raised.
FREESTANDING OR GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is directly installed in the ground
and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure. Pole-mounted
solar energy systems shall be considered freestanding or ground-mounted
solar energy systems for purposes of this article.
LARGE-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Any solar energy system that cumulatively on a lot meets
all of the following criteria:
A.
Is an accessory or principal use or structure, designed and
intended to generate energy primarily or used to generate 110% or
less of the power used at the site, potentially by multiple tenants,
through a distribution system or electrical grid that is not available
to the general public. If excess energy is produced, it can be sold
to a utility under a net metering agreement.
B.
Consists of an overall footprint of not less than 2,500 and
not exceeding 100,000 square feet. Overall footprint shall be determined
by the outline created on the ground, building/structure surface,
or combination thereof, excluding all rooftop-mounted solar energy
systems that meet the requirements of a small-scale or large-scale
solar energy system, by wholly enclosing all components/structures
of a solar energy system on a lot.
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
at the end of the month.
PERMIT GRANTING AUTHORITY
Unless a special use permit is required, the Building Department
is charged with granting permits for the operation of solar energy
systems.
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.
ROOFTOP- OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar power system in which solar panels are mounted on
top of the structure of the roof either as a flush-mounted system
or as modules fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the south
at an optimal angle.
SETBACK
The distance from a front lot line, side lot line, or rear
line of a parcel within which a freestanding or ground-mounted solar
energy system is installed.
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 NY 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. For the purposes of this article, a solar
energy system does not include any solar energy system of four square
feet in size or less.
SOLAR FARM or SOLAR POWER PLANT
An energy generation facility or area of land principally
used to convert solar energy to electricity, whether by photovoltaics,
concentrating solar thermal devices or various experimental solar
technologies, with the primary purpose of wholesale or retail sales
of electricity.
SOLAR PANEL
A device for the direct conversion of solar energy to electricity.
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 that 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.
UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Any solar energy system that cumulatively on a lot meets
at least one of the following:
A.
Is a principal use or structure, designed and intended to supply
energy solely into a utility grid for sale to the general public;
or
B.
Consists of an overall footprint of greater than 100,000 square
feet. Overall footprint shall be determined by the outline created
on the ground, building/structure surface, or combination thereof,
excluding all rooftop-mounted solar energy systems that meet the requirements
of small-scale or large-scale solar energy systems, by wholly enclosing
all components or structures of a solar energy system on a lot.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless the context or subject matter requires
otherwise.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Structures, equipment, devices or construction techniques
used for the production of heat, light, a cooling, electricity or
other forms of energy on site and may be attached to or separate from
the principal structure.
FLUSH-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL
A photovoltaic panel or tile that is installed flush to the
surface of the roof and which cannot be angled or raised.
FREESTANDING OR GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is directly installed in the ground
and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure. Pole-mounted
solar energy systems shall be considered freestanding or ground-mounted
solar energy systems for purposes of this article.
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
at the end of the month.
PERMIT GRANTING AUTHORITY
Unless a special use permit is required, the Building Department
is charged with granting permits for the operation of solar energy
systems.
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.
ROOFTOP- OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar power system in which solar panels are mounted on
top of the structure of the roof either as a flush-mounted system
or as modules fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the south
at an optimal angle.
SETBACK
The distance from a front lot line, side lot line, or rear
line of a parcel within which a free standing or ground-mounted solar
energy system is installed.
SMALL-SCALE SOLAR
For purposes of this chapter, the term "small-scale solar"
refers to any solar energy system that cumulatively on a lot consists
of an overall footprint not more than 5,000 square feet in size.
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 NY 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. For the purposes of this article, a solar
energy system does not include any solar energy system of four square
feet in size or less.
SOLAR FARM or SOLAR POWER PLANT
An energy generation facility or area of land principally
used to convert solar energy to electricity, whether by photovoltaics,
concentrating solar thermal devices or various experimental solar
technologies, with the primary purpose of wholesale or retail sales
of electricity.
SOLAR PANEL
A device for the direct conversion of solar energy to electricity.
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 that 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 violation of this chapter shall be subject to the same civil
and criminal penalties provided for in the Wilson Town Code, including
any applicable zoning regulations, and/or the laws of the State of
New York.