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III. Definitions <br />Agrivoltaics — A solar energy system co -located on the same <br />parcel of land as agricultural production, including crop <br />production, grazing, apiaries, or other agricultural products or <br />services. <br />Building -integrated Solar Energy Systems — A solar energy <br />system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory <br />building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing <br />or substituting for an architectural or structural component of <br />the building. Building -integrated systems include, but are not <br />limited to, photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems that <br />are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, and awnings. <br />Community -Scale Solar Energy System — A commercial solar <br />energy system that converts sunlight into electricity for the <br />primary purpose of serving electric demands off -site from the <br />facility, either retail or wholesale. Community -scale systems <br />are principal uses and projects typically cover less than 20 <br />acres. <br />Community Solar Garden — A solar energy system that <br />provides retail electric power (or a financial proxy for retail <br />power) to multiple community members or businesses residing <br />or located off -site from the location of the solar energy system, <br />consistent with Minn. Statutes 216B.1641 or successor statute. <br />A community solar garden may be either an accessory or a <br />principal use. <br />Grid-intertie Solar Energy System — A photovoltaic solar energy system that is connected to an electric <br />circuit served by an electric utility company. <br />Ground -mount — A solar energy system mounted on a rack or pole that rests or is attached to the <br />ground. Ground -mount systems can be either accessory or principal uses. <br />Large -Scale Solar Energy System — A commercial solar energy system that converts sunlight into <br />electricity for the primary purpose of wholesale sales of generated electricity. A large-scale solar energy <br />system will have a project size greater than 20 acres and is the principal land use for the parcel(s) on <br />which it is located. <br />Off -grid Solar Energy System — A photovoltaic solar energy system in which the circuits energized by the <br />solar energy system are not electrically connected in any way to electric circuits that are served by an <br />electric utility company. <br />Passive Solar Energy System — A solar energy system that captures solar light or heat without <br />transforming it to another form of energy or transferring the energy via a heat exchanger. <br />Photovoltaic System — A solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity. <br />Renewable Energy Easement, Solar Energy Easement — An easement that limits the height or location, <br />or both, of permissible development on the burdened land in terms of a structure or vegetation, or both, <br />for the purpose of providing access for the benefited land to wind or sunlight passing over the burdened <br />land, as defined in Minn. Stat. 500.30 Subd. 3 or successor statute. <br />Minnesota Model Solar Ordinance <br />