[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-04]
1.
It is the purpose of this Part
to promote the safe, effective and efficient use of installed solar
energy systems that reduce on-site consumption of utility-supplied
energy while protecting the health, safety and welfare of adjacent
and surrounding land uses and properties. This Part seeks to:
A.
Provide property owners and
business owners/operators with flexibility in satisfying their on-site
energy needs.
B.
Reduce overall energy demands
within the community and to promote energy efficiency.
C.
Integrate alternative energy
systems seamlessly into the community's neighborhoods and landscapes
without diminishing quality of life in the neighborhoods.
1.
This Part applies to building-mounted
systems installed and constructed after the effective date of the
article. Provide property owners and business owners/operators with
flexibility in satisfying their on-site energy needs.
2.
Solar PV systems constructed
prior to the effective date of this Part are not required to meet
the requirements of this Part.
3.
Any upgrade; modification or
structural change that materially alters the size or placement of
an existing solar PV system shall comply with all provisions of this
Part.
1.
Building-mounted systems are permitted to face any rear, side and front yard or any unregulated yard area as defined in § 27-202. Building-mounted systems may only be mounted on lawfully permitted principal or accessory structures.
2.
Ground-mounted systems are not
permitted in any zoning district.
1.
The solar PV system must be
constructed to comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code
(UCC), Act 45 of 1999, as amended, and any regulations adopted by
the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as they relate to
the UCC, except where an applicable industry standard has been approved
by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry under its regulatory
authority.
2.
All wiring must comply with
the National Electrical Code, most recent edition, as amended and
adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
3.
The solar PV system must be
constructed to comply with the most recent fire code as amended and
adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
1.
The setback requirements are
measured from the property line to the nearest part of the system
as listed in this Part.
1.
Notwithstanding the height limitations
of the zoning district:
A.
For a building-mounted system
installed on a sloped roof that faces the front yard of a property,
the system must be installed at the same angle as the roof on which
it is installed with a maximum distance, measured perpendicular to
the roof on which it is installed, of 18 inches between the roof and
highest edge of the system.
B.
For a building-mounted system
installed on a sloped roof, the highest point of the system shall
not exceed the highest point of the roof to which it is attached.
1.
Building-mounted systems on
a sloped roof shall not be required to be screened.
2.
Building-mounted systems mounted
on a flat roof shall not be visible from the public right-of-way within
a fifty-foot radius of the property, exclusive of an alley as defined
by this chapter, at a level of five feet from the ground, in a similar
manner as to any other rooftop HVAC or mechanical equipment. This
can be accomplished with architectural screening such as a building
parapet or by setting the system back from the roof edge in such a
manner that the solar PV system is not visible from the public right-of-way
within a fifty-foot radius when measured at a distance of five feet
from the ground.
1.
If a building-mounted system
is to be installed on any building or structure that is nonconforming
because its height violates the height restrictions of the zoning
district in which it is located, the building-mounted system shall
be permitted so long as the building-mounted system does not extend
above the peak or highest point of the roof to which it is mounted
and so long as it complies with the other provisions of this Part.
2.
If a building-mounted system
is to be installed on a building or structure on a nonconforming property
that does not meet the minimum setbacks required and/or exceeds the
lot coverage limits for the zoning district in which it is located,
a building-mounted system shall be permitted so long as there is no
expansion of any setback or lot coverage nonconformity and so long
as it complies with the other provisions of this Part.
No signage or graphic content may be displayed on the solar
PV system except the manufacturer's badge, safety information and
equipment specification information. Said information shall be depicted
within an area no more than 36 square inches in size.
All solar PV systems are subject to compliance with applicable
performance standards detailed elsewhere in this chapter.
Enforcement and penalties are prescribed by Article VI, MPC
(§ 616.1, 617, 671.1, 617.2).
Before any construction or installation of any solar PV system
shall commence, a permit issued by the Borough of Homestead shall
be obtained to document compliance with this chapter.
If any section, subsection, sentence, or clause of this chapter
is held, for any reason, to be invalid, such decision or decisions
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Part.
