The purpose of this chapter is to adopt and incorporate the
requirements and standards of §§ 66.0401 and 66.0403, Wis.
Stats., to regulate solar energy systems to produce electricity and/or
conversion of energy for uses on site as well as those systems which
produce electricity for off-site use and distribution. The regulations
of this chapter have been established to ensure solar energy systems
are sited, constructed, maintained and decommissioned in a manner
that maximizes utilization of the Village of Birnamwood's solar energy
resources for the health, safety and welfare of the community.
A. No solar
energy system shall be erected, enlarged, or extended without conformance
to the provisions of this chapter and other applicable regulations,
as evident by the issuance of a zoning permit by the Zoning Administrator
and/or, where required, conditional use permit approval by the Village
of Birnamwood Planning Committee and Village Board.
B. All applications
regulated by this chapter may be subject to additional conditions
and restrictions consistent with but no more restrictive than those
in § 66.0401(1m), Wis. Stats., where such conditions are considered
and applied on a case-by-case basis, as well as satisfy one of the
following:
(1) Serves
to preserve or protect the public health or safety.
(2) Does
not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly
decrease its efficiency.
(3) Allows
for an alternative system of comparable cost and efficiency.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings given in this section:
BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal
or accessory building rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing
or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the
building. Building-integrated systems include, but are not limited
to, photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems that are contained
within roofing materials, windows, skylights and awnings.
COLLECTOR SURFACE
Any part of a solar collector that absorbs solar energy for
use in the collector's energy transformation process. "Collector surface"
does not include frames, supports and mounting hardware.
COMMERCIAL-USE WES OR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Any use/purpose of the WES and/or solar energy system is
to convert wind and/or solar energy into electricity which is to be
used, distributed or sold off site. These uses may be deemed to be
accessory to an existing residential, commercial or agricultural use,
but are subject to all the standards, requirements, and conditional
use processes set forth in this chapter.
GROUND-MOUNT
A solar energy system mounted on a rack or pole that rests
or is attached to the ground. Ground-mount systems can be either private
or commercial uses.
PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that captures solar light or heat without
transforming it to another form of energy or transferring the energy
via a heat exchanger.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
A solar energy system that converts solar energy directly
into electricity.
PRIVATE-USE WES OR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
The primary purpose of the WES and/or solar energy system
is to convert wind and/or solar energy into electricity which is to
be used and/or stored on site. The WES and solar energy system must
be accessory to an existing residential, commercial, industrial or
agricultural use and are subject to all the standards, requirements
and processes set forth in this chapter.
RENEWABLE ENERGY EASEMENT; SOLAR ENERGY EASEMENT
An easement that limits the height or location, or both,
of permissible development on the burdened land in terms of a structure
or vegetation, or both, for the purpose of providing access for the
benefited land to wind or sunlight passing over the burdened land,
consistent with § 700.35, Wis. Stats.
RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy or wind energy system. Renewable energy systems
do not include passive systems that serve a dual function, such as
a greenhouse or window.
ROOF-MOUNT
A solar energy system mounted on a rack that is fastened
to or ballasted on a building roof. Roof-mount systems are accessory
to the principal use.
SOLAR ACCESS
An unobstructed access to direct sunlight on a lot or building
through the entire year, including access across adjacent parcel air
rights, for the purpose of capturing direct sunlight to operate a
solar energy system.
SOLAR COLLECTOR
A device, structure or a part of a device or structure for
which the primary purpose is to transform solar radiant energy into
thermal, mechanical, chemical or electrical energy.
SOLAR COLLECTOR SURFACE
Any part of a solar collector that absorbs solar energy for
use in the collector's energy transformation process. The collector's
surface does not include frames, supports and mounting hardware.
SOLAR DAYLIGHTING
A device specifically designed to capture and redirect the
visible portion of the solar spectrum, while controlling the infrared
portion, for use in illuminating interior building spaces in lieu
of artificial lighting.
SOLAR ENERGY
A radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected
in the form of heat or light by a solar collector.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A device, array of devices, or structural design feature,
which has the primary purpose of harvesting energy by transforming
solar energy into another form of energy or transferring heat from
a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical or chemical
means.
SOLAR HEAT EXCHANGER
A component of a solar energy device that is used to transfer
heat from one substance to another, either liquid or gas.
SOLAR HOT AIR SYSTEM
(Also referred to as "solar air heat" or "solar furnace.")
A solar energy system that includes a solar collector to provide direct
supplemental space heating by heating and recirculating conditioned
building air. The most efficient performance typically uses a vertically
mounted collector on a south-facing wall.
SOLAR MOUNTING DEVICES
The racking, frames or other devices that allow the mounting
of a solar collector onto a roof surface or the ground.
SOLAR RESOURCE
A view of the sun from a specific point on a lot or building
that is not obscured by any vegetation, building or object for a minimum
of four hours between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Standard
time on all days of the year.
SOLAR STORAGE UNIT
A component of a solar energy device that is used to store
solar-generated electricity or heat for later use.