It is the purpose of this regulation to promote the safe, effective
and efficient use of installed renewable 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. It is the Township's goal to provide property owners and
business owners/operators with flexibility of satisfying their on-site
energy needs and assuring continuing electrical supply during utility
blackouts for such necessities as pumping well water, running freezers,
refrigerators, air conditioners, and lighting for health and safety.
Also, it is a secondary goal that through the progressive employment
of renewable energy technology in the Township, a reduction in overall
energy demands within the Township can be realized.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FACILITY
One or more buildings, structures, pieces of equipment, units,
etc., that are provided for a particular purpose or specific use.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FACILITY
A generating facility capable of capturing and converting
hydrothermal energy into hydronic or electrical energy sources.
HYBRID ENERGY SYSTEM
A system that combines electrical input from multiple sources
(solar, wind, geothermal, utility) into a bank of storage batteries.
ICE THROW
Any ice gathered on the rotating blades of a wind turbine
that detaches and is thrown.
INTERCONNECTION
The technical and practical link between the renewable energy
generators, including hybrid sources such as wind, solar, geothermal,
and multiple units of each, the storage batteries, the controllers,
and the grid providing electricity to the greater community.
NET METERING AGREEMENT
An agreement with a local electric utility that allows customers
to receive a credit for surplus electricity generated by certain renewable
energy systems.
SHED
A simple single-story roofed structure on a property detached
from any main structure that is used for storage, hobbies, or as a
workshop.
SMALL WIND TURBINE DEVICE
Shall mean and include small wind turbine devices, wind generators
and systems producing from one to 100 kWh of electricity and which
are designed to be mounted on a pole or tower or to be attached to
the principal or an accessory structure, and used solely to generate
power to serve structures located on the same lot.
SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY
An electric generating facility, with the purpose of generating
electricity, or providing hot water heat, consisting of one or more,
but not limited to, solar panels, shingles, freestanding arrays or
Smartflowers and other ancillary associated buildings and structures,
including substations, meteorological towers, electrical infrastructure,
transmission lines, and other appurtenant structures and facilities.
STORAGE BATTERIES
Batteries that store electricity from renewable sources which
are used directly to power a household, farm, or business with utility
power as backup.
TURBINE HEIGHT
The distance measured from the surface of the tower foundation
to the highest point of the turbine rotor pane.
VIEWSHED
The geographical area of land, water, or other environmental
elements that is visible to the human eye from a fixed vantage point
or location. It includes all surrounding points that are in line-of-sight
with that location and excludes points that are beyond the horizon
or obstructed by terrain and other features (e.g., buildings, trees).
WIND ENERGY FACILITY
An electric generating facility, with the purpose of electricity
supply, consisting of one or more wind turbines and other ancillary
associated buildings and structures, including substations, meteorological
towers, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines, and other appurtenant
structures and facilities.
WIND TURBINE
A wind energy system that converts wind energy into electricity
through the use of a wind turbine generator, which may be of horizontal
or vertical shaft design.
The alternative or renewable energy system must be constructed
to comply with all applicable state, federal and local Uniform Construction
Codes (UCC) in effect when a building permit application is filed
with the Township. The alternative energy system shall also comply
with any and all 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. Submission of
a permit application to the Township is required.