2014-07-22_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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3. Setbacks. Roofmountedsolar energy systems shall comply with the setbacks requirement for the applicable zoning district and structure type (principal or accessorii on which they mounted and may encroach those setbacks per Section 11-5-2.C.1.a (�ecial Structural Elements). Ground -mounted solar energy systems shall comply with the accessory structure setback standards for the applicable zoning district in which they are located. Community solar gardens or solar farms shall comply with the principal structure setback standards for the applicable zoning district in which they are located 4. Height. Roofmountsolar energy systems shall comply with the height standards of the applicable zoning district. Roofmountedsolar energy systems may be mounted at an angle to the roof to improve their efficiency; however, the highest point of a solar panel in any residential district shall not be more than three (3) feet, measured in a straight line, above the roof upon which the panel is mounted. This three (3) foot height limitation does not apply to roof mounted solar energy systems located in non-residential districts or on non- residential uses. Ground -mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height. 5. Aesthetics. Roofmountedsolar energy systems shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the building,l2rovided that design considerations shall not diminish energy production. The color of the solar collector is not required to be consistent with other roofing materials. Reflection angles from collector surfaces shall be oriented away from neighboring windows. Where necessary, screening may be required to address glare. 6. Screening. Roofmountedsolar energy systems located in non-residential districts or on non-residential uses shall be screened in accordance with the requirements of Section 11-2-5 and the screening requirements of the applicable zoning district to the extent possible without reducing their efficiency. Ground -mounted solar energy systems, community solar gardens or solar farms shall be screened from view of the public right-of-way to the extent possible without reducing their efficiency by setback, berming, landsc942mV, walls or a combination thereof. 7. Coverage. Roofmountedsolar energy systems shall not cover more than 80% of the south - facing or flat roof upon which the panels are mounted and shall be set back a minimum of one (1) foot from the edge of the roof. The surface area of ground -mount systems shall not exceed the maximum lot coverage standard of the applicable zoning district 8. Feeder Lines. All power lines shall be placed underground within the interior of each parcel. 9. Compliance with Building Code. All active solar energy systems shall meet approval of local building code officials, consistent with the State of Minnesota Building Code, and solar thermal systems shall comply with HVAC -related requirements of the Energy Code. 10. Compliance with State Electric Code. All photovoltaic systems shall comply with the Minnesota State Electric Code. 11. Compliance with State Plumbing Code. Solar thermal systems shall comply with applicable Minnesota State Plumbing Code. 12. Certifications. Solar electric system components shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories. Inc.. and solar thermal systems shall be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, or other appropriate certification(s) as determined by the City. The City reserves the right to deny a buildmV 12ermit for proposed solar energy systems deemed to have inadequate certification. 13. Utility Connection. All grid-intertie systems shall have an agreement with the local utility prior to the issuance of a buildingipermit. A visible external disconnect must be provided if required by the utility. Off aid systems are exempt from this requirement.