Solar Energy

Solar energy electrical generators producing less than 5kW are listed as resource extraction and energy development uses and permitted by right within agricultural districts; systems exceeding 5kW are permitted as conditional uses (§6.7.3 Table 7.A). Solar generating plants are listed as public/quasi-public uses and are permitted as conditional uses in the Natural Resources District (§6.8.3 Table 8A). The code's solar energy design standards address aesthetic issues such as placement in least visible location, integration of equipment into building design, screening and color and building material coordination (§6.11.34). These design standards also address site design optimizing passive or natural heating and cooling opportunities such as east-west alignment for southern exposure and orientation to take advantage of shade or prevailing breezes.