ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Structures, equipment, devices or construction techniques
used for the production of heat, light, cooling, electricity or other
forms of energy on a site and may be attached to or separated from
the principal use.
ARRAY
Any number of electrically connected photovoltaic (PV) modules
providing a single electrical output.
BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC (BIPV)
The incorporation of photovoltaic materials into the physical
structure of a building. BIPV technologies include photovoltaic shingles
or tiles, photovoltaic laminates and photovoltaic glass. Examples
of placement include vertical facades, semitransparent skylights and
windows, awnings (including fixed awnings) and roofs. (See Attachment
1.)
BUILDING-MOUNTED SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is affixed to the side(s) of a
building or other structure, either directly or by means of support
structures or other mounting devices, but not including those mounted
to the roof or top surface of a building. Said system is designed
and intended to generate electricity solely for use on the subject
lot, potentially for multiple tenants, through a distribution system
that is not available to the public. (See Attachment 1.)
CELL
The smallest basic solar electric (photovoltaic) device that
can generate electricity when exposed to radiant energy (visible sunlight).
COLLECTIVE SOLAR
Installations of solar photovoltaic systems that are owned
collectively through a homeowners' association, "adopt a solar
panel" programs or other similar arrangements.
GLARE
To shine with a harsh, bright light.
GLINT
To shine in small bright flashes.
GROUND-MOUNTED SYSTEM
A photovoltaic system mounted on a structure, pole or series
of poles that are constructed specifically to support the photovoltaic
system, and not physically attached to any structure. (See Attachment
1.)
MODULE
A module is the smallest protected assembly of interconnected
photovoltaic cells.
NET METERING AGREEMENT
An agreement with a local electric utility company that allows
customers to receive a credit for surplus electricity generated by
certain renewable energy systems.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV)
Any material or device with the capability to generate electric
current or voltage when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (radiant
energy), in particular visible light from the sun.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLER
A person who has skills and knowledge related to the construction
and operation of photovoltaic solar equipment and installations and
has received safety training on the hazards involved therein. This
shall include persons who are on the list of eligible photovoltaic
installers, as 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).
Persons who are not on the NYSERDA or NABCEP lists of eligible or
certified installers may be deemed to be qualified solar installers
if the Code Enforcement Office of the Town of Marilla determines such
persons to have had adequate training to determine the degree and
extent of any hazard and have the personal protective equipment and
job training necessary to perform the safe and proper installation
of PV systems. 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.
ROOF-MOUNTED SYSTEM
A solar power system in which solar panels are mounted on
top of the structure either as a flush-mounted system or as modules
fixed to frames that can be tilted or articulated to achieve an optimal
angle for tracking the sun. (See Attachment 1.)
SOLAR ACCESS
Land area or space that is open to the sun and clear of overhangs
or shade, including structures built on private property that do not
infringe on the rights of adjacent properties.
SOLAR FARM
An area of land that supports an arrangement of freestanding
ground-mounted or building-mounted photovoltaic devices designed to
capture solar energy and convert it to electricity for commercial
use or transfer to the local utility grid for sale to the general
public. (See "utility-scale photovoltaic system" and Attachment 1.)
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM (SPS)
A solar collection system consisting of one or more building-
and/or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic cells, modules, panels or
arrays and solar-related equipment that rely upon solar radiation
as an energy source for collection of solar energy, conversion of
solar energy to electricity, inversion of DC electricity to AC electricity
and storage/distribution of electricity generated through the system.
TRACKING SYSTEM
A number of photovoltaic modules mounted such that they track
the movement of the sun across the sky to maximize energy production,
either with a single-axis or dual-axis mechanism.
UTILITY-SCALE PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
A solar photovoltaic system that is designed and intended
to supply electrical energy solely to the utility grid for sale to
the general public. (See Attachment 1.)