Solar Energy

The town's zoning bylaws provide standards for large-scale and on-site ground-mounted solar energy systems, which are permitted by right in certain districts and require special permit approval in others. It permits Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations by right in LI and S-1 districts, requires a special permit in HB and GI districts, and are prohibited in residential, GB, and NB districts. Accessory use on-site ground-mounted PV installations are permitted by right in R-40, GI, LI, and S-1 districts, and require a special permit in R-15, GB, NB, and HB districts (§275-3.1.6).

The zoning bylaws also include a section of standards for large-scale and on-site ground mounted solar energy systems, including application requirements, dimension and density requirements, design standards, safety and environmental standards, abandonment, and financial surety; roof-mounted systems are left to state standards (§275-7.4).

The zoning bylaws instructs the planning commission to consider solar-friendly state policy when considering applications for installing solar energy systems on historic structures (§145-9).