Solar Energy

The town's zoning code permits small accessory solar energy systems by right in all districts except the historic district and provides conditional use regulations for commercial solar production systems. It provides definitions for several solar-related terms including "freestanding solar array," "ground-mounted solar array," "rooftop solar array," and "solar production system" (§165-4).

The code includes a chapter on conditional use regulations for commercial Solar Production Systems (§165-45.1), limited to 20 MW in capacity. The code lists a number of objectives of the section relating to encouraging solar production systems while offering protection from potential adverse impacts. It notes site plan submission and approval requirements. Ground-mounted solar production systems are conditional uses in the agricultural, commercial/office, and industrial zones. Bulk and use requirements address minimization of forest clearing, minimum lot size, lot coverage, setbacks, and height. Design requirements address advertising displays, viewshed protection, access road siting, semipervious materials, access and safety, screening, and landscape plans for seed mixes for cover beneath the panels. The code includes an abandonment provision requiring system removal after 6 consecutive months of disuse; the developer must provide a bond or cash performance guaranty of 120% of the estimated costs of equipment removal and site restoration.

Small solar systems limited to 20 kW or 110% of the structure's average annual electrical energy consumption are permitted by right as accessory uses in all districts except the residential-historic business district. Rooftop-mounted systems are preferred; ground-mounted systems must be located in rear yards and screened (Art. II).