Definitions
a. Roof-mounted SES means a solar energy system-mounted entirely on the roof of a legally permitted principal or accessory structure.
b. Ground-mounted SES means a solar energy system that is structurally appended to the ground and is not supported by any structure or building. There are five categories of ground-mounted solar energy system uses defined with the following express conditions:
(1) Accessory ground-mounted SES—A system designed to generate no more than 125 percent of the energy that is necessary to support the primary use on the parcel where the solar array is located, not to exceed 40,000 square feet of solar lot coverage. The energy generated is not required to be used on the parcel where the SES is located.
(2) Agricultural accessory ground-mounted SES—A system designed to generate no more than 125 percent of the energy that is necessary to primarily support the agricultural operations being conducted on the parcel where the solar array is located, not to exceed 40,000 square feet of solar lot coverage. The energy generated is not required to be used on the parcel where the SES is located.
(3) Impaired site SES—A system located on a disturbed parcel that may include contaminated sites pending remediation, a remediated and restricted contamination site, recognized and designated brownfields, federal superfund designated site, and former legally operated landfills, quarries and gravel pits.
(4) Principal ground-mounted SES—Any ground-mounted SES that does not meet the requirements of an accessory, agricultural accessory, impaired site, or solar canopy ground-mounted SES, not to exceed 440,000 square feet of solar lot coverage.
(5) Solar canopy SES—A ground-mounted, open sided structure over a paved or permeable parking area where the primary roof cover is constructed of photovoltaic panels.
c. Solar lot coverage. The amount of upland area allowed to be occupied by ground-mounted solar panels and associated ground-mounted equipment, exclusive of fencing, but inclusive of inter-row and panel spacing. Solar lot coverage is calculated entirely separately from building lot coverage.
d. Abandoned SES. A solar energy system shall be considered abandoned when it fails to operate, or is not connected to a utility company's interconnection, or end-user for 365 consecutive days after initial operations commence.
(Ord. of 11-14-22(2); Ord. No. 2024-0013, 9-9-24)