Solar Energy

The township's municipal code permits accessory solar energy systems in all districts by right and allows primary-use systems as a conditional use in the institutional district with standards; it also provides for solar access protections. It permits "solar energy production facilities" as a conditional use in the institutional district and provides 13 items of design standards and specifications (§155-98; 155i Matrix Chart 10). These facilities are also permitted as conditional uses in the Steep Slope Overlay District along with pruning of trees (§155-36.L).

The township's municipal code also permits renewable energy systems within all zoning districts by right as accessory structures, subject to general standards, and provides that an owner may file a statement and obtain a permit to obtain renewable energy resource protection (§155-107.A.15, B.7; §155-126). Solar panels are exempted from height limits along with other rooftop appurtenances (§155-110). The municipal code defines "solar energy electric energy system," "solar energy collector," "solar energy," "solar energy production facility," and "solar panel" (§155-12).