[Added 8-19-2015 by L.L.
No. 5-2015]
The intent of this article is to accommodate alternative and
renewable forms of energy production within the Village, while regulating
the impacts of any such form. Accessory solar energy collection systems
may be allowed as specified herein.
This article applies to all solar energy collection systems
proposed to be constructed after the effective date of this article.
The fee for any accessory solar energy collection system application
shall be set by the Board of Trustees acting by resolution.
No solar energy conversion system shall be erected or installed
unless the system is designed to be appropriate for the intended location
and meets all standards of Village and New York State Building Codes.
All electricity generated from solar energy systems must be for on-site
consumption only, except for instances when the system generates more
electric energy than is needed for on-site consumption and the excess
electricity is returned to the public utility's system. The applicant
shall file an application for a solar energy conversation system with
the Building Inspector.
A.
Solar energy collection systems.
(1)
Placement shall be flush or flat-mounted as close as practicable,
and not to exceed six inches, on a gabled, hipped or mansard roof,
with no extension above the roof.
(2)
Solar collection panels on flat roofs may be angled or titled
so long as they are not movable or visible from street level or from
an adjoining property.
(3)
All panels shall be set back a minimum of three feet from the
eave and 18 inches from the ridge or as otherwise approved by the
Building Inspector.
(4)
All panels shall be harmoniously configured along the roof so
to ensure conformity with the roof structure and surface.
(5)
All panels, tiles or slates are to appear like and are to match
as close as possible the color of the roof or wall to which they are
attached.
(6)
Freestanding and ground-mounted solar collectors are prohibited.
(7)
Primary equipment mounted to an approved accessory structure
shall be considered part of that structure and is subject to the requirements
for accessory structures.
(8)
All accessory 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.
(9)
No trees shall be removed to accommodate installation of any
solar collection equipment unless approved by the Planning Board.
A.
Prior to the installation of any solar energy equipment on a property,
building or structure, the applicant shall submit a site plan and
a building permit application, 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, photographs of all sides of the
existing building or structure, structural support methods and zoning
information. The applicant shall submit actual material samples.
B.
Applications for solar energy collection systems shall be accompanied
by a signed, sealed certification from a New York State licensed professional
engineer or licensed architect stating that the roof structure is
strong enough to support the additional weight of the solar units,
the mounting brackets and hardware meet or exceed New York State code
requirements, and the actual in-field attachment to the roof meets
or exceeds New York State Residential Code requirements and American
Society of Civil Engineers' Standard 7-05.
A.
All solar energy collection system installations must be performed
by a qualified solar installer, with such determination to be made
by the Building Inspector.
B.
Prior to operation, the electrical connections must be inspected
by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters 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.
If a solar energy collection system ceases to perform its originally
intended function for more than six consecutive months, the property
owner shall remove the solar system, all primary and secondary equipment
and facilities by not later than 90 days after the end of the six-month
period.
The Board of Zoning Appeals, after a public hearing, may grant
variances from the requirements of this article.
