Definitions.
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A combination of solar panels and solar energy equipment
integrated into any building envelope system, such as vertical facades,
semitransparent skylight systems, roofing materials, or shading over
windows, which produce electricity for onsite consumption.
FARMLAND OF STATEWIDE IMPORTANCE
Land, designated as "Farmland of Statewide Importance" in
the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service's (NRCS) Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database on
Web Soil Survey, that is of state wide importance for the production
of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oil seed 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.
GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is anchored to the ground via
a pole or other mounting system, detached from any other structure,
that generates electricity for onsite or offsite consumption.
NATIVE PERENNIAL VEGETATION
Native wildflowers 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's (NRCS)
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 oil seed crops and is
also available for these land uses.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLER
A person who has the skills and knowledge related to the
construction and operation of solar energy systems. Persons who are
on the list of eligible photovoltaic installers maintained by NYSERDA,
or who are certified by NABCEP, shall be deemed to be qualified. Persons
who are not on either of these lists, may be deemed qualified if the
Town Code Officer determines that they have adequate training and
experience to perform the installation safely.
ROOF-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system located on the roof of any legally
permitted building or structure that produces electricity for onsite
or offsite consumption.
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
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.
A solar energy system is classified as a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3
solar energy system as follows.
(1)
Tier 1 solar energy systems include the following:
(a)
Roof-Mounted solar energy systems.
(b)
Building-Integrated solar energy systems.
(c)
Permits for all Tier 1 solar energy systems are issued by the
Town Code Officer.
(2)
Tier 2 solar energy systems are ground mounted solar energy
systems that are affixed to the ground either directly or by mounting
devices and are not attached or affixed to a building or structure.
All applications for Tier 2 solar energy systems are reviewed and
approved or denied by the Town Planning Board.
[Amended 9-19-2022 by L.L. No. 5-2022]
(3)
Tier 3 solar energy systems are systems that are not included
in the list for Tier 1 and Tier 2, solar energy systems. All applications
for Tier 3 solar energy systems are approved or denied by the Town
Board after review of the application, including the site plan application,
by the Planning Board and after the Planning Board has filed an advisory
report to the Town Board. This report must be filed with the Town
Board within 45 days of the completed application being filed with
the Town or such additional time as may be deemed appropriate by the
Town Board.
[Amended 9-19-2022 by L.L. No. 5-2022]
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.