[Added 4-12-2021 by Ord. No. 4-2021]
No solar energy system (SES) with a generation capability greater than 30 kW (kilowatts) and less than 100 MW (megawatts), which converts solar energy into electrical energy, shall hereafter be established, altered, or enlarged without a conditional use permit issued in accordance with the procedures and standards established in Article VI of this chapter.
A. 
In addition to the standard conditional use permit conditions set forth in § 330-48D, the following standard conditions shall apply to an SES conditional use permit unless less restrictive requirements are specifically granted by the Plan Commission in the conditional use permit:
(1) 
Setbacks. Any portion of the SES shall not encroach within 20 feet of any property line, nonnavigable waterway ordinary high-water mark, or road right-of-way. The project design shall be such that aboveground project components (excluding fences and access roads) shall not be closer than 200 feet to any nonparticipating landowner residential structure.
(2) 
Height restrictions. Ground-mounted components of the SES shall not exceed 15 feet in height as measured at the apex when any tracker is at its maximum tilt in early morning or late evening.
(3) 
Glare. The SES shall be positioned so that glare does not create unsafe conditions or nuisances for neighboring property owners.
(4) 
Sound. The SES project's inverters, substations, motors and other noise-emitting equipment collectively shall not exceed the Public Service Commission-mandated maximum nighttime sound level that is applicable to a 100 MW system or larger at the walls of the noise-sensitive receptor, which shall include as a minimum the residence on any nonparticipating property. To ensure noise level estimates associated with facility design are conservative, a 5 dBA tonal penalty shall be included in the preconstruction or any post-construction sound analysis.
(5) 
Construction hours. Hours of construction will be between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and between 10:00 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
(6) 
Installer. All SES shall be installed by a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified solar installer or other person or entity qualified to perform such work.
(7) 
Foundation. A qualified engineer shall certify that the foundation and design of the solar panels racking and support is within accepted professional standards, given local soil and climate conditions.
(8) 
Screening. An SES shall be appropriately buffered and screened from public view.
(9) 
Town roads. The construction, operation, and decommissioning of an SES shall not adversely impact Town roads.
(10) 
Code compliance. An SES shall comply with all applicable local, state and federal regulatory codes, including the State of Wisconsin electrical codes and the National Electrical Code.
(11) 
Power and communication lines. Power and communication lines running between banks of ground-mounted solar panels, to nearby electrical substations, or interconnections with or between structures, shall be buried underground.
(12) 
Orderly development. Upon issuance of a conditional use permit, the permit holder shall notify the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
(13) 
Decommissioning. When decommissioning of an SES is required, all equipment shall be totally removed and properly recycled or disposed for all components that are above ground and below the ground surface. A bond, letter of credit, or an escrow account is required for all SES with a name plate rating of 1 MW or greater to ensure proper decommissioning.
B. 
In addition to the application submittal requirements of § 330-49, the application for an SES conditional use permit shall include the following:
(1) 
Solar system specifications, including the manufacturer and model, generating capacity, total height, collector square footage, wiring plan, means of interconnecting with the electrical grid, and any agreements with public utilities with regard to connecting to their systems.
(2) 
Site layout, including the location of property lines, structures, SES and the total extent of system movements, and interconnection points with the electrical grid.
(3) 
Installers' qualifications and signatures certifying that the SES will be installed in compliance with all Town ordinances and all other applicable codes.
(4) 
Surrounding property uses.
(5) 
Percentage of land coverage by the SES when panels are in the position that has the greatest horizontal area.
(6) 
A decommissioning plan, which shall outline the anticipated means and cost of removing the SES at the end of its useful life. Decommissioning of an SES must occur in the event the SES is not in use for 12 consecutive months. Decommissioning shall consist of removal of the SES structures and subsurface foundations and equipment, disposal of all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with all applicable waste disposal regulations, and stabilization of soils and/or revegetation of the site as necessary to minimize erosion. The decommissioning methods shall be established and costs estimates shall be made by a competent party, such as a professional engineer experienced in such matters, a contractor capable of decommissioning, or a party found by the Town of Holland to have suitable expertise or experience with decommissioning. The plan shall also identify the financial resources that will be available to pay for the decommissioning and removal of the SES. The Town Plan Commission shall review the decommissioning plan and request changes that may be needed to comply with the conditional use permit or to protect the safety and welfare of the community and Town properties. The plan shall provide that decommissioning will begin within 180 days from the end of the SES useful life or in the event the SES is not in use for 12 consecutive months. Decommissioning shall be completed within nine months from the start of decommissioning actions.