[Added 5-6-2024 by L.L. No. 1-2024]
A. 
This article applies to all solar energy collection systems in the Village.
B. 
Definitions.
SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTION SYSTEM
Shall mean any device, instrument or equipment, or collection of same, with all accessory or appurtenant items, that convert, or are designed to convert, sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.
All fees and deposits that relate to any application made under this article with respect to any solar energy collection system shall be as determined from time to time by resolution duly adopted by the Village Board of Trustees.
A. 
No solar energy collection system shall be erected or installed unless the system is designed to be appropriate for the intended location and meets all relevant provisions of the Village Code and the New York State Building Code, and a building permit has been issued therefor by the Village upon application as provided under this article.
B. 
Any owner of real property in the Village, or any tenant under a lease of such real property, with the approval of the owner thereof, may apply to the Village for a building permit to install and maintain a solar energy collection system on such property.
C. 
Any proposed solar energy collection system for which a building permit is issued hereunder shall be subject to review and approval by the Village Architectural Review Board, in accordance with Chapter 4, Architectural Review Board, of the Village Code. In any such review, the Village Architectural Review Board shall take into account, in addition to all provisions of said Chapter 4, the standards set forth in this article. No building permit shall be issued for any solar energy collection system, or for any modification or alteration of any solar energy collection system, unless and until the Architectural Review Board has approved same.
A. 
Installation.
(1) 
Placement of all solar collection panels of an approved solar energy collection system that exist outside of the primary structure on any property within the Village shall be flush or flat mounted as close as practicable, and in no event to exceed more than 6 inches from the surface on which mounted, on a gabled, hipped or mansard roof, with no extension above the roof.
(2) 
No solar collection panel shall be placed on any roof plane or wall plane that is visible from any abutting public or private street in the Village.
(3) 
Heat-storing masses, energy storage equipment and ground-mounted solar energy collection systems shall be allowed only in a rear yard, where placement shall comply with Village Code provisions applicable to accessory structure regulations, or in a side yard, where placement shall comply with Village Code provisions applicable to central air-conditioning units.
(4) 
To the maximum extent possible, all panels, tiles or slates are to appear like and are to match the color of the roof or wall to which they are attached.
B. 
General.
(1) 
Any equipment proposed as part of a new building or alteration to a building shall be installed as integrated equipment.
(2) 
On existing buildings with flat roofs where tilted frames are necessary to install primary equipment, such equipment shall not be visible from an abutting public or private street in the Village or from an abutting property. If necessary, the equipment shall be screened with appropriate material as recommended by the Architectural Review Board.
(3) 
Primary equipment mounted to an approved accessory structure shall be considered part of that structure and is subject to the requirements for accessory structures as well as approval by the Architectural Review Board.
(4) 
All secondary equipment associated with any solar energy collection system installation shall not be exposed on the outside of any structure unless required by applicable codes and standards, in which case same shall remain subject to approval by the Architectural Review Board.
(5) 
Ground-mounted solar energy collection systems shall not be permitted except with adequate screening and by building permit. No ground-mounted units shall be permitted on a corner lot.
A. 
Prior to the installation of any solar energy collection equipment on a property, building or structure, the applicant shall submit a site plan and a building permit application accompanied by eight sets of sealed plans which shall include but are not limited to location, layout plans, elevations, sections, details, manufacturer's specifications, material types, colors, finishes, arrangement, size, design, general site compatibility, structural support methods and zoning information. The applicant shall submit actual material samples.
B. 
Applications shall be accompanied by a signed, sealed certification from a New York state-licensed professional engineer or licensed architect stating that i) the roof structure is strong enough to support the additional weight of the solar units; ii) the mounting brackets and hardware meet or exceed New York state code requirements; and iii) the actual in-field attachment to the roof meets or exceeds New York State Residential Code requirements.
C. 
The applicant shall provide adequate notice of the application to all surrounding property owners in the same manner as provided for under the Architectural Review Board rules.
A. 
All solar energy collection system installations must be performed by a qualified solar installer.
B. 
Prior to operation, the electrical connections must be inspected by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters, operating as Electrical Inspectors, Inc., or other appropriate electrical inspection agency as determined by the Village. Any connection to the public utility grid must be inspected by the appropriate public utility.
C. 
An electrical certificate shall be provided to the Village prior to issuance of a certificate of completion.