Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A combination of solar panels and solar energy equipment
integrated into any building envelope system such as vertical facades,
semitransparent skylight systems, roofing materials, or shading over
windows, which produce electricity for on-site consumption.
FARMLAND OF STATEWIDE IMPORTANCE
Land, designated as "Farmland of Statewide Importance, in
the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service's (NRCS) Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database on Web Soil
Survey that is of statewide importance for the production of food,
feed, fiber, forage and oilseed crops as determined by the appropriate
state agency or agencies. Farmland of statewide importance may include
tracts of land that have been designated for agriculture by state
law.
GLARE
The effect by reflections of light with intensity sufficient
as determined in a commercially reasonable manner to cause annoyance,
discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility in any material
respects.
GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is anchored to the ground via
a pole or other mounting system, detached from any other structure
that generates electricity for on-site or off-site consumption.
NATIVE PERENNIAL VEGETATION
Native wildflowers, forbs and grasses that serve as habitat,
forage and migratory way stations for pollinators and shall not include
any prohibited or regulated invasive species as determined by the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
POLLINATOR
Bees, birds, bats and other insects or wildlife that pollinate
flowering plants and includes both wild and managed insects.
PRIME FARMLAND
Land designated as prime farmland in the United States Department
of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Soil
Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database on Web Soil Survey that has the
best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing
food, feed, forage, fiber and oilseed crops and is also available
for these land uses.
ROOF-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system located on the roof of any legal permitted
building or structure that produces electricity for on-site or off-site
consumption.
SOLAR ACCESS
Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade so
as to permit the use of active and/or passive solar energy systems
on individual properties.
SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENT
Electrical material, hardware, inverters, conduit, storage
devices, or other electrical and photovoltaic equipment associated
with the production of electricity.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
The components and subsystems required to convert solar energy
into electric energy suitable for use. The term includes, but is not
limited to, solar panels and solar energy equipment. The area of a
solar energy system includes all the land inside the perimeter of
the solar energy system, which extends to any interconnection equipment.
A solar energy system is classified as a Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3
solar energy system as follows:
(1)
Tier 1 solar energy systems include roof-mounted solar energy
systems, and building-integrated solar energy systems as defined herein.
(2)
Tier 2 solar energy systems include ground-mounted solar energy
systems with capacity up to 25 kW AC and that generate no more than
110% of the electricity consumed on the site over the previous 12
months.
(3)
Tier 3 solar energy systems are systems that are not included
in the list for Tier 1 and Tier 2 solar energy systems.
SOLAR PANEL
A photovoltaic device capable of collecting and converting
solar energy into electricity.
STORAGE BATTERY
A device that stores energy and makes it available in an
electrical form.