[Adopted 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
[Added 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
Solar panels and all associated equipment that collect, store
and distribute solar energy for heating, cooling or electricity generating.
A structure containing one or more receptive cells; the purpose
of which is to convert solar energy into useable electrical energy
through the use of solar panels.
A monopole, freestanding or guyed structure that supports
a wind generator.
A wind turbine and all associated equipment, including a
base, blade, foundation, nacelle, rotor, tower, transformer, vane,
wire, inverter, batteries or other components necessary to fully utilize
the wind generator.
Equipment that converts energy from the wind into electricity.
This term includes rotor, blades and associated mechanical and electrical
conversion components necessary to generate, store and/or transfer
energy.
[Added 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
A.
A zoning permit and building permit shall be required for the installation
of a wind or solar energy system. A solar energy system in a commercial
zone or on property with a commercial use shall require site plan
approval. A wind energy system shall also require site plan approval.
B.
An application for a zoning permit for a wind or solar energy system
shall include the following:
(1)
Property survey showing all structures.
(2)
Location, dimensions and type of proposed energy system, including
all structures accessory to the system.
(3)
Manufacturer's energy system specifications, including make and model.
(4)
Proof of notification to the electric utility company for interconnection
purposes.
(5)
Certification from a professional engineer and/or the installation
company that the proposed installation is in compliance with manufacturer's
guidelines.
(6)
Other documents and plans regarding the installation of the system
sufficient for the Zoning Officer to make a formal decision concerning
conformance with the ordinance.
(7)
Statement from applicant that installation will comply with all environmental
laws and regulations.
(8)
Current photographs of the proposed installation site.
[Added 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
For the purposes of this chapter, the design capacity of a wind
or solar energy system shall not exceed the energy needs of the property
on which it is located.
[Added 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
Wind and solar energy systems shall only be permitted as an
accessory use on the same lot as the principal use.
[Added 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
A.
Regulations.
(1)
Wind turbines are permitted in all zone districts.
(2)
Wind turbines must comply with the bulk requirements of the district
unless specifically addressed in this section.
(3)
Minimum lot size shall be 10 acres.
(4)
No more than one wind turbine per lot.
(5)
Lot averaging shall not be permitted for installation of more than
one wind turbine.
(6)
Minimum setbacks: All wind turbines shall be set back from all property
lines a minimum distance of 300 feet. Guy lines may encroach into
the setbacks provided that they comply with the bulk requirements
of the zone.
(7)
Wind turbines, support equipment and/or guy wires shall not be permitted
in the front yard.
(8)
Mechanical equipment and buildings provided for storage of materials
and equipment shall conform to the standards for an accessory structure
within the applicable zone.
(9)
Maximum height for a wind turbine shall not exceed a height of 80
feet, including the height of the blades at their highest point.
(10)
Wind turbines shall not be permitted as rooftop installations.
(11)
Wind turbines on residential properties shall have a nameplate
capacity of 100 kilowatts or less.
(12)
Sound levels of the wind energy system shall not exceed 55 DBA
at a common property line. These levels may be exceeded during short-term
events such as utility outages and/or severe storms.
(13)
Wind turbines shall be designated with an automatic brake or
other similar device to prevent over-speeding and excessive pressure
on the tower structure.
(14)
Wind energy systems shall not be lighted except to the extent
required by the FAA or other applicable authority.
(15)
All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment shall be
labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access.
(16)
Wind energy systems shall be designed to prevent interference
with any television, radio, or electronic reception or transmission
and shall be in compliance with any Federal, State or County regulations.
(17)
The tower shall be designed and installed so as not to provide
step bolts, a ladder, or other publicly accessible means of climbing
the tower for a minimum of 10 feet above the ground level.
(18)
All moving parts of the wind energy system shall be a minimum
of 25 feet above the ground level.
(19)
The blades of the wind energy system shall be constructed of
a corrosive-resistant material.
(20)
A clearly marked manual shut-off switch for the electricity
from the wind energy system shall be installed in close proximity
to the meter on the exterior of the principal structure.
(21)
New Jersey Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics
and/or FAA approval or jurisdictional determination for the monopole
shall be obtained by applicant.
[Added 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
A.
Rooftop solar systems.
(1)
Solar panels shall be permitted as a rooftop installation in any
zoning district.
(2)
The solar panels shall not exceed the height of the rooftop and must
match the pitch of the roof. Panels may not be installed beyond the
edges of the roof.
(3)
A clearly marked manual shut-off switch for the electricity from
the solar panels shall be installed in close proximity to the meter
on the exterior of the principal structure.
(4)
An official National Electric Code (N.E.C.) placard, stating there
are solar panels on the principal structure, shall be place near the
front entrance of the structure.
B.
Ground mount solar panel systems.
(1)
Ground arrays shall not be permitted in the front yard.
(2)
Ground arrays shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from side or
rear property lines or in conformance with the required setbacks,
whichever is greater.
(3)
Ground arrays shall be located to minimize any glare towards an adjoining
property.
(4)
Ground arrays shall not exceed a height of 15 feet.
(5)
Ground arrays shall not be permitted on any lot that is less than
one acre.
(6)
A ground array system shall not add, contribute to or be calculated
to cause an increase in impervious coverage calculations.
(7)
A clearly marked shut-off switch for the electricity from the solar
panels shall be installed in close proximity to the meter as required
by code or the Building Official.
(8)
Ground arrays shall be screened and or landscaped to shield the system
when viewed from the street and/or adjacent properties.
C.
The provisions in this chapter do not apply to the installation of
decorative solar yard, driveway or pathway lights or for panels that
are less than six square feet providing power to an accessory structure.
D.
All solar energy systems shall meet all of the requirements of the
National Electric Code.
[Added 9-13-16 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
A.
Wind and solar energy systems shall not be used for displaying or advertising except for the labeling information noted in Subsection F below.
B.
The design of wind or solar energy systems shall, to the extent reasonably
possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping
that will blend the facility into the natural setting and existing
environment.
C.
The wind or solar energy system shall be located so that tree removal
is not required to the extent reasonably possible.
D.
All electric lines and utility wires shall be installed underground.
E.
The installation of a wind or solar energy system shall conform to
the requirements of the electric utility company for interconnection
as the case may dictate.
F.
A minimum of one sign shall be posted near ground level on the interconnection
cabinet warning of high voltage. In addition, the following information
shall be posted on a label or labels installed at the site:
G.
Systems that connect to the electric utility shall comply with the
New Jersey net metering and interconnection standards for Class I
Renewable Energy Systems at N.J.A.C. 14:4-9.
H.
A wind or solar energy system that is out of service for a continuous
twelve-month period shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
(1)
The Zoning Officer may issue a notice of abandonment to the owner.
The notice shall be sent via regular mail and certified mail, return
receipt requested, to the owner of record.
(2)
Any abandoned system shall be removed at the owner's sole expense
within six months of the date on the notice of abandonment from the
Zoning Officer. Prior to removal, the owner shall obtain a demolition
permit from the Construction Official. Upon removal, the site shall
be cleaned, restored and landscaped to blend with the existing surrounding
vegetation at the time of the removal.
(3)
The Zoning Officer may issue a summons to the owner for failure to
remove the abandoned system as requested in the notice of abandonment.
(4)
When the owner of the wind or solar energy system had been notified
to remove same and has not removed the system within six months after
receiving the notice, the Township may pursue legal action to have
the system removed at the owner's expense.
(5)
Solar panels removed from the site shall be deposited at a recognized
solar panel recycling center. Panels that are not recycled must be
disposed of in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
I.
No wind or solar energy system shall be permitted on any government
designated Historic District or structure.
