As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AGRICULTURAL DUAL-USEAlso referred to as "dual-use" or agrivoltaics," this involves the practice of co-locating solar photovoltaic panels on farmland in such a manner that primary agricultural activities, including animal grazing and crop or vegetable production, can continue simultaneously on that farmland.
APPLICANTThe person or entity filing an application and seeking an approval under this chapter, the owner or operator of a solar energy system or proposed solar energy system or any person acting on behalf of an applicant.
COLLECTIVE SOLARSolar installations owned collectively through subdivision owner associations or similar groups. Collective solar installations shall be regulated depending upon generation capacity as defined herein.
FARMLAND OF STATEWIDE IMPORTANCELand, designated as "farmland of statewide importance" in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS)'s Soil Survey Geographic Database on Web Soil Survey, that is of statewide importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage and oilseed 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.
FLUSH-MOUNTED SOLAR PANELSA photovoltaic panel or tile that is installed flush to the surface of the roof and which cannot be angled or raised.
FREESTANDING OR GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTORA solar energy system that is directly installed in the ground and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure. Pole-mounted solar energy systems shall be considered freestanding or ground-mounted solar energy systems for purposes of this chapter.
LARGE-SCALE SOLAR COLLECTION SYSTEM or SOLAR FARMAn area of land with solar facilities principally used to capture solar energy and convert it to electrical energy to transfer to the public electric grid in order to sell electricity to or receive a credit from the public utility entity, but also may be for on-site use. Solar facilities consist of one or more freestanding ground- or roof-mounted solar collector devices, solar-related equipment and other accessory structures and buildings, including light reflectors, concentrators, heat exchangers, substations, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant structures and facilities.
PASSIVE SOLAR COLLECTORA solar energy system that relies upon original or retrofitted design features and building materials of a structure to enhance the use of natural forces to provide heating and cooling within a building.
PHOTOVOLTAIC COLLECTORA solar energy system that produces electricity by the use of semiconductor devices, called "photovoltaic cells," which generate electricity whenever light strikes them.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLERA person who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of solar electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved. Persons who are on the list of eligible photovoltaic installers 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), shall be deemed to be qualified solar installers for the purpose of this definition.
ROOFTOP OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR PROTECTORSA solar system in which solar panels are mounted on top of the structure of a roof either as a flush-mounted system or as a module fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the south at an optimal angle.
SOLAR ACCESSSpace open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade, including the orientation of streets and lots to the sun so as to permit the use of active and/or passive solar energy systems on individual properties.
SOLAR COLLECTORA device or combination of devices which relies upon solar radiation as an energy source and that is employed for the purpose of heating or cooling a building, the heating of water or the generation of electricity. For the purpose of this chapter, a solar collector does not include any solar energy system of four square feet in size or less.
SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENTSolar collectors, controls, energy storage devices, heat pumps, heat exchangers, batteries and other materials, hardware or equipment necessary to the process by which solar radiation is collected, converted into another form of energy, stored, and protected from unnecessary dissipation or distribution.