The purpose of this article is to establish standards for solar energy systems to accommodate solar energy systems in appropriate locations while protecting the public health, safety and welfare, and to provide a permitting process to ensure compliance with the requirements and standards established in this article.
(Ordinance 21-01 adopted 6/15/2021)
(a) 
Ground-mounted solar panel systems shall comply with the following:
(1) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system is not permitted as the primary use of a property.
(2) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall not be located forward of the frontmost building of the lot.
(3) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall not be located less than ten (10) feet from any side property line.
(4) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall not be located less than fifteen (15) feet from the rear property line.
(5) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height.
(6) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in length.
(7) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall be behind the front line of the home.
(8) 
If a ground-mounted solar panel system is over eight foot tall, such individual must bring this to the attention of the city council within 14 days. Upon notification, city council will determine the appropriate fencing that must be around such solar panel system.
(b) 
Roof-mounted solar panel systems shall comply with the following:
(1) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system is not permitted as the primary use of a property.
(2) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system shall not exceed six (6) inches in height. Height will be calculated between the top of the solar panel and the roof. Notwithstanding this provision, modifications to this rule shall be in the discretion of the building official. This discretion shall be exercised only when the roof-mounted solar panel system is not visible from the right-of-way.
(3) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system shall not be located on a front-facing roof that directly faces a public street regardless of screening.
(4) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system shall be permitted on a side-facing roof that faces a public street.
(Ordinance 21-01 adopted 6/15/2021)
(a) 
Ground-mounted solar panel systems shall comply with the following:
(1) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system is not permitted as the primary use of a property.
(2) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall not be located forward of the frontmost building of the lot.
(3) 
A ground-mounted solar panel system shall not be visible from any street frontage.
(4) 
A ground-mounted solar panel energy system shall be screened from all right-of-way visibility prior to installation.
(b) 
Roof-mounted solar panel systems shall comply with the following:
(1) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system is not permitted as the primary use of a property.
(2) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system shall not exceed six (6) inches in height. Height shall be calculated between the top of the solar panel and the roof.
(3) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system shall not directly face any public street regardless of screening.
(4) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system shall be parallel to the roofline.
(5) 
A roof-mounted solar panel system shall be located no closer than two (2) feet from the edge of any roofline, ridge, or valley, and shall cover no more than 80% of the roof surface area.
(Ordinance 21-01 adopted 6/15/2021)
All solar panel systems shall comply with the following:
(1) 
Glare.
A solar panel shall be designed and located to avoid glare or reflection onto adjacent properties and adjacent roadways and shall not interfere with traffic or create a safety hazard. A solar panel system, or any component thereof, that creates a glare or reflection onto adjacent properties or roadways is determined to constitute a nuisance. If a solar panel system or any component thereof is deemed to constitute a nuisance or a safety hazard, the city has the authority to require the owner to remove, redesign or screen the solar panels to the extent necessary to eliminate the glare onto the adjacent property or roadway.
(2) 
Maintenance.
The owner of the property with the solar panel system shall maintain the system so that it does not create a safety issue for surrounding property owners. Solar panels shall be maintained at all times. Solar panels that are not in use shall be disengaged so as to prevent accidental electrical charges to property or persons. If solar panels are nonfunctioning, inoperable, or in any way unsightly or displeasing for a period of at least 6 months, such solar panel shall be promptly replaced and/or removed. Extensions of such time frame may be provided by written consent of the city council. In order to request an extension of the 6 months, an explanation of the steps that have been taken to remove and/or replace the solar panel and the estimated time of correction must be provided to city council.
(3) 
Installation.
All solar panel systems shall be installed in conformance with all applicable city codes and ordinances.
(4) 
Design.
All solar panel energy system plans must be designed by a licensed and registered engineer.
(Ordinance 21-01 adopted 6/15/2021)
(a) 
Permit and application.
(1) 
Permit requirements.
A permit allowing the installation of any solar panel system shall be acquired prior to the commencement of any installation.
(2) 
Application requirement.
An application for a building permit for installation of a solar panel system shall be reviewed and approved by the building official, and must include all information requested on the application including design and electrical plans.
(3) 
Design.
An application shall include the following design plan information:
(A) 
If a roof-mounted solar panel system, a letter from a licensed and registered engineer stating that the roof will support the structural load of the system;
(B) 
Scaled elevation drawings showing the location and height of the solar panel system;
(C) 
The size of the system (kW);
(D) 
If a roof-mounted solar panel system, applications must include framing plans;
(E) 
Method of sealing and flashing for roof penetrations;
(F) 
Connection details to building or ground mount;
(G) 
Structural calculations or load diagram designed by a professional engineer;
(H) 
Data cut sheets for battery storage (including type of battery);
(I) 
Site plan showing existing site easements, property lines, building setback lines, location of existing structures and proposed location; and
(J) 
A side view detail of the solar PV system mount.
(4) 
Electrical plans.
An application shall include the following electrical plan information:
(A) 
A three-line diagram, or a line diagram approved by the building official designed by a professional electrician licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR);
(B) 
AC and/or DC circuit arc fault protection as required by the National Electrical Code (NEC);
(C) 
Location of combined box disconnect switch, size of source circuit over current protection, service panel bus rating and main circuit breaker/fuse ampere rating;
(D) 
Circuit diagram, equipment grounding and bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductor, if applicable;
(E) 
Make, model and quantity of module, inverter and tracking system to be installed standards by the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory as appropriate; and
(F) 
If the solar panel system is to be interconnected with the distribution system of the electric utility provider, written authorization that the public utility company has been informed of the owner's intend to install a customer-owned solar panel system and that such connection has been approved.
(b) 
Additional requirements.
(1) 
The solar photovoltaic (PV) system shall comply with the current NEC code as adopted by the city with an electrical diagram submitted for review to meet code compliance.
(2) 
The solar panel must be installed by a qualified or certified installer in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association, National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) as adopted by the state, applicable ordinances, and subject to plan review and approval.
(3) 
The solar panel system shall be installed by a licensed electrician registered with the city.
(4) 
PV systems shall comply with NEC installation and use section. Listed and labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing and labeling.
(5) 
Upon completion of the solar panel system installation, a letter that the system has been installed in compliance with the adopted electrical, residential, and building codes of the city shall be delivered to the building official.
(6) 
All plans shall be submitted electronically to the permit department along with a permit application.
(Ordinance 21-01 adopted 6/15/2021)
(a) 
Any home which at the time of signing this article contains a solar panel system shall be grandfathered and shall have no requirement of complying with these requirements, with the exception of the maintenance requirement.
(b) 
If at any time, a home who is grandfathered changes the overall height or width of the existing structure shall be required to comply with these requirements from that moment moving forward.
(Ordinance 21-01 adopted 6/15/2021)