[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
It is the purpose of this Part to promote the safe, effective and
efficient use of installed solar energy systems that reduce on-site
consumption of utility-supplied energy while protecting the health,
safety and welfare of adjacent and surrounding land uses and properties.
This Part seeks to:
A.
Provide property owners and business owners/operators with flexibility
in satisfying their on-site energy needs.
B.
Reduce overall energy demands within the community and promote energy
efficiency.
C.
Integrate alternative energy systems seamlessly into the community's
neighborhoods and landscapes without diminishing quality of life in
the neighborhoods.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
This Part applies to building-mounted and ground-mounted systems
installed and constructed after the effective date of this Part.
2.
Solar PV systems constructed prior to the effective date of this
Part are not required to meet the requirements of this Part.
3.
Any upgrade; modification or structural change that materially alters
the size or placement of an existing solar PV system shall comply
with all provisions of this Part.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Building-mounted and ground-mounted systems are permitted in all zoning districts as an accessory use to any lawfully permitted principal use or accessory use (§ 27-906, Subsection 6D and E) on the same property upon issuance of the proper permit pursuant to Part 20 of Chapter 27 and upon compliance with all requirements of this section and as elsewhere specified in this chapter.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Building-mounted systems are permitted to face any rear, side and front yard or any unregulated yard area as defined in § 27-202. Building-mounted systems may only be mounted on lawfully permitted principal or accessory structures.
2.
Ground-mounted systems are permitted based on the requirements for
accessory uses or structures in the property's zoning district.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
The solar PV system must be constructed to comply with the Pennsylvania
Uniform Construction Code (UCC), Act 45 of 1999, as amended, and any
regulations adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
as they relate to the UCC, except where an applicable industry standard
has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
under its regulatory authority.
2.
All wiring must comply with the National Electrical Code, most recent
edition, as amended and adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A.
For ground-mounted systems, all exterior electrical lines must be
buried below the surface of the ground where possible or be placed
in a conduit.
3.
The solar PV system must be constructed to comply with the most-recent
Fire Code as amended and adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Ground-Mounted Systems. Ground-mounted systems are subject to the
accessory use or structure setback requirements in the zoning district
in which the system is to be constructed. The required setbacks are
measured from the property line to the nearest part of the system.
No part of the ground-mounted system shall extend into the required
setbacks due to a tracking system or other adjustment of solar PV
related equipment or parts.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Notwithstanding the height limitations of the zoning district:
A.
For a building-mounted system installed on a sloped roof that faces
the front yard of a property, the system must be installed at the
same angle as the roof on which it is installed with a maximum distance,
measured perpendicular to the roof, of 18 inches between the roof
and the highest edge of the system.
B.
For a building-mounted system installed on a sloped roof, the highest
point of the system shall not exceed the highest point of the roof
to which it is attached.
2.
Notwithstanding the height limitations of the zoning district:
A.
For a building-mounted system installed on a flat roof, the highest
point of the system shall be permitted to extend up to six feet above
the roof to which it is attached.
3.
Ground-mounted systems may not exceed the permitted height of accessory
structures in the zoning district where the solar PV system is to
be installed.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Building-mounted systems on a sloped roof shall not be required to
be screened.
2.
Building-mounted systems mounted on a flat roof shall not be visible
from the public right-of-way within a fifty-foot radius of the property,
exclusive of an alley as defined by this chapter, at a level of five
feet from the ground, in a similar manner as to any other rooftop
HVAC or mechanical equipment. This can be accomplished with architectural
screening such as a building parapet or by setting the system back
from the roof edge in such a manner that the solar PV system is not
visible from the public right-of-way within a fifty-foot radius when
measured at a distance of five feet from the ground.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
The surface area of any ground-mounted system, regardless of the
mounted angle of any portion of the system, is considered impervious
surface and shall be calculated as part of the property lot coverage
limitations for the zoning district. If the ground-mounted system
is mounted above existing impervious surface, it shall not be calculated
as part of the property lot coverage limitations for the zoning district.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Building-Mounted Systems:
A.
If a building-mounted system is to be installed on any building or
structure that is nonconforming because its height violates the height
restrictions of the zoning district in which it is located, the building-mounted
system shall be permitted so long as the building-mounted system does
not extend above the peak or highest point of the roof to which it
is mounted and so long as it complies with the other provisions of
this chapter.
B.
If a building-mounted system is to be installed on a building or
structure on a nonconforming property that does not meet the minimum
setbacks required and/or exceeds the lot coverage limits for the zoning
district in which it is located, a building-mounted system shall be
permitted so long as there is no expansion of any setback or lot coverage
nonconformity and so long as it complies with the other provisions
of this chapter.
2.
Ground-Mounted Systems:
A.
If a ground-mounted system is to be installed on a property containing
a structure that is nonconforming because the required minimum setbacks
are exceeded, the proposed system shall be permitted so long as the
system does not encroach into the established setback for the property.
If a ground-mounted system is to be installed on a property that is
nonconforming because it violates zoning district requirements other
than setbacks, then a variance must be obtained for the proposed installation.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
No signage or graphic content may be displayed on the solar PV system
except the manufacturer's badge, safety information and equipment
specification information. Said information shall be depicted within
an area no more than 36 square inches in size.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
All solar PV systems are subject to compliance with applicable performance
standards detailed elsewhere in this chapter.
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Enforcement and penalties are prescribed by Article VI, MPC (§ 616.1,
617, 671.1, 617.2).
[Ord. 2355, 8/3/2015]
1.
Before any construction or installation of any solar PV system shall
commence, a permit issued by the Township of Ross shall be obtained
to document compliance with this chapter.
