Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
AGRIVOLTAICS
A solar energy system co-located on the same parcel of land
as agricultural production, including crop production, grazing, apiaries,
or other agricultural products or services.
BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
A system of battery devices that enable energy from renewables,
like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when customers
need power most.
COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN
A solar energy system that provides retail electric power
(or a financial proxy for retail power) to multiple community members
or businesses residing or located off-site from the location of the
solar energy system. Also referred to as "shared solar."
EXISTING SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
A solar energy system lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this chapter may be continued even if such a system does not conform to the provisions of this chapter. However, it shall be deemed a nonconforming use or structure, and the provisions of §
525-28, Nonconformities, of this chapter shall apply.
MICROGRID
A self-sufficient energy system that serves individual or
multiple buildings and/or a discrete geographic footprint, such as
a college campus, medical center, business center or neighborhood.
Microgrids must be local, independent, and intelligent. Microgrids
may include the use of battery energy storage systems.
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.
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.
ROOF PITCH
The final exterior slope of a roof calculated by the rise
over the run, typically but not exclusively expressed in twelfths
such as 3/12, 9/12, 12/12.
ROOF-MOUNT
A form of building-mounted solar energy system in which solar
panels are mounted on a rack that is fastened to or ballasted on a
structure's roof. Roof-mount systems are accessory to the principal
use.
SOLAR ACCESS
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 CARPORT
A solar energy system of any size that is installed on a
carport structure that is accessory to a parking area, and which may
include electric vehicle supply equipment or energy storage facilities.
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. The collector
does not include frames, supports, or mounting hardware.
SOLAR DAYLIGHTING
Capturing and directing the visible light spectrum for use
in illuminating interior building spaces in lieu of artificial lighting,
usually by adding a device or design element to the building envelope.
SOLAR ENERGY
Radiant energy received from the sun which can be collected
in the form of heat or light by a solar collector.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (SES)
A device, array of devices, or structural design feature,
the purpose of which is to provide for generation or storage of electricity
from sunlight, or the collection, storage and distribution of solar
energy for space heating or cooling, daylight for interior lighting,
or water heating. "Solar energy systems" is further defined in this
section, but exclude the following which are permitted accessory uses
in all districts:
(1)
Solar-powered light fixtures that are ground- or wall-mounted.
(2)
Solar-powered electric fences.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING-INTEGRATED
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.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING-MOUNTED
A form of small-scale or mid-scale SES considered as an accessory
use which consists of the installation of equipment mounted on a building
or incorporated into exterior building materials that uses sunlight
to produce electricity or provide heat or water to a building: These
systems require a building permit that shall be reviewed and issued
by the Building Inspector.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, GROUND-MOUNTED
A form of SES mounted on a rack or pole that rests or is
attached to the ground. Ground-mount systems can be either accessory
or principal uses depending on its scale classification.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, LARGE SCALE (100MW+)
A commercial solar energy system that converts sunlight into
electricity for the primary purpose of wholesale sales of generated
electricity. A large-scale solar energy system is the principal land
use for a parcel(s) generating 100MW or more and will require approval
by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, MID-SCALE (30kW to 100MW)
Either a privately owned solar energy system that converts
sunlight into electricity for the purpose of providing power to structures
and facilities on the same site, or a commercial solar energy system
that converts sunlight into electricity for the primary purpose of
wholesale sales of generated electricity. A mid-scale solar energy
system can be a principal or accessory land use for a parcel(s) generating
between 30kW to 100MW and does not require approval by the Wisconsin
Public Service Commission. These may be allowed as an accessory use
if a special exception is granted.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, SMALL-SCALE (Less than 30kW)
A privately owned solar energy system that converts sunlight
into electricity for the primary purpose of providing power to structures
and facilities on the same site. A small-scale solar energy system
is an accessory land use for a parcel(s) generating less than 30kW
and does not require approval by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
A small-scale SES may be ground-mounted or building-mounted.
SOLAR HOT AIR SYSTEM, 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 includes
a solar collector to preheat air or supplement building space heating,
typically using a vertically mounted collector on a south-facing wall.
SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM
A system that includes a solar collector and a heat exchanger
that heats or preheats water for building heating systems or other
hot water needs, including residential domestic hot water and hot
water for commercial processes.
SOLAR MOUNTING DEVICES
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 and can be measured in annual
watts per square meter.