This large-scale solar energy local law is adopted pursuant
to Sections 19 and 20 of the General City Law of the State of New
York, which authorize the City of Oneida to adopt zoning provisions
that advance and protect the health, safety and welfare of the community,
and, in accordance with the General City Law to make provisions for,
"so far as conditions may permit, the accommodation of solar energy
systems and equipment and access to sunlight necessary therefor."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FARMLAND OF STATEWIDE IMPORTANCE
Land, designated as "Farmland of Statewide Importance" in
the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS)'s 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.
LARGE SCALE 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 with a rated DC
capacity of greater than 25kW. 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.
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.
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 U.S. Department
of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)'s
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.
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
All 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.
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.
Any violation of this large-scale solar energy law shall be
subject to the same enforcement requirements, including the civil
and criminal penalties, provided for in the zoning or land use regulations
of the City of Oneida.