As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless the context or subject matter requires
otherwise.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure, the use of which is customarily incidental and
subordinate to that of the principal building and is attached thereto,
and is located on the same lot or premises as the principal building.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Structures, equipment, devices or construction techniques
used for the production of heat, light, cooling, electricity or other
forms of energy on site and may be attached to or separate from the
principal building.
COLLECTIVE SOLAR
Solar installations owned collectively through subdivision
homeowner associations, college student groups, "adopt-a-solar-panel"
programs, or other similar arrangements.
FLUSH-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL
Photovoltaic panels and tiles that are installed flush to
the surface of a roof and which cannot be angled or raised.
FREESTANDING OR GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY POWER SYSTEM
A solar energy power system that is directly installed in
the ground and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure.
Pole-mounted solar energy power systems shall be considered freestanding
or ground-mounted solar energy power systems for the purposes of this
article.
LARGE-SCALE SOLAR
For purposes of this article, the term "large-scale solar"
refers to solar photovoltaic systems that produce more than 12 kilowatts
per hour of energy or solar-thermal systems which, although it may
serve the building or electrical service to which they are attached,
provides energy for other buildings, other properties or the commercial
electrical grid.
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.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) POWER SYSTEMS
A solar energy power system that produces electricity by
the use of semiconductor devices, called photovoltaic cells that generate
electricity whenever light strikes them.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLER
A person who has skills and knowledge related to the construction
and operation of solar electrical equipment and installations and
has received safety training on the hazards involved. Persons who
are on the list of eligible photovoltaic installers maintained by
the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
or who are certified as a solar installer by the North American Board
of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), shall be deemed to be
qualified solar installers for the purposes of this definition. Persons
who are not on NYSERDA's list of eligible installers or NABCEP's list
of certified installers may be deemed to be qualified installers if
the Town of Mount Hope determines such persons have had adequate training
to determine the degree and extent of the hazard and the personal
protective equipment and job planning necessary to perform the installation
safely. Such training shall include the proper use of special precautionary
techniques and personal protective equipment, as well as the skills
and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from
other parts of electrical equipment and to determine the nominal voltage
of exposed live parts.
SETBACK
The distance from a front lot line, side lot line or rear
lot line of a parcel to any component of a freestanding or ground-mounted
solar energy power system, solar facility or solar power plant within
which no solar components shall be permitted.
SMALL-SCALE SOLAR
For purposes of this article, the term "small-scale solar"
refers to solar photovoltaic systems that produce up to 12 kilowatts
per hour of energy or solar-thermal systems which serve only the building
or electrical service to which they are attached, and do not provide
energy for any other buildings.
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 power 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 NYS 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/POWER 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 power systems include solar thermal, photovoltaic
and concentrated solar. For the purposes of this law, a solar energy
power system does not include any solar energy power system of four
square feet in size or less.
SOLAR PANEL
A device for the direct conversion of solar energy into electricity.
SOLAR POWER PLANT
Energy generation facility or area of land whose principal
use is allowed by special permit issued by the Planning Board 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.
No other buildings or uses are required unless needed for the solar
installation.
SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY
A device that stores energy from the sun and makes it available
in an electrical form.
SOLAR-THERMAL POWER SYSTEMS
Solar thermal power systems 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.
The fees for all building permits required herein shall be paid
at the time each building permit application is submitted pursuant
to the Schedule of Fees provided for in the Town Code.