12.27.060 Conditions required for approval.
(a) Capacity.
1. Residential Districts.
a. Less than one acre in area: capacity of the SES shall not exceed seven kilowatts in rated capacity.
b. Equal to or greater than one acre, but less than 10 acres in area: capacity of the SES shall not exceed 15 kilowatts in rated capacity.
2. Agricultural, Commercial, Manufacturing, Institutional and Park-Recreational Districts. Capacity of the SES shall not exceed over 110 percent of the electricity needs of the property. Property owner shall furnish applicable data.
3. Solar Farm. Capacity of the SES less than 100 MW.
(b) Height. SES must meet the following height requirements:
1. Roof-mounted SES shall not exceed the maximum allowed height in any zoning district, unless the system extends less than one foot from the surface from which it is directly attached or if the roof pitch is 2/12 or less then the system shall not extend more than six feet.
2. Ground- or pole-mounted SES shall not exceed 15 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt.
(c) Setback(s).
1. Roof-Mounted SES. In addition to the structure setback, the collector surface and mounting devices shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built.
2. Ground- or Pole-Mounted SES. Ground- or pole-mounted SES may not extend into the required yard setbacks for the district when oriented at minimum design tilt.
(d) Location.
1. Shall not be located in the 100-year floodplain.
2. Shall not be located in a designated wetland.
(e) Coverage. Roof-mounted SES, excluding building-integrated systems, shall plan for adequate roof access for fire-fighting purposes to the south-facing or flat roof upon which the panels are mounted.
(f) Grades. The area of the SES shall not be artificially elevated to bring fill as to elevate the SES area higher than the existing grades of the property.
(g) Visibility. SES shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the building to the extent such provisions do not diminish solar production or increase costs, consistent with Section 66.0401, Wis. Stats.
(h) Reflectors. All SES using a reflector to enhance solar production shall minimize reflected light from the reflector affecting adjacent or nearby properties. Measures to minimize reflected light include selective placement of the system, screening on the north side of the solar collector, modifying the orientation of the system, reducing use of the reflector system, or other remedies that limit reflected light.
(i) Historic Buildings. SES on buildings within HO Historical Overlay District adopted under this chapter or on locally designated historic buildings (exclusive of state or federal historic designation) must receive approval from the Advisory Historical Preservation Commission, consistent with the standards for SES on historically designated buildings published by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
(j) Other Standards and Codes. All commercial use SES shall be in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulatory codes, including the State of Wisconsin Uniform Building Code, as amended; and the National Electric Code; and, if necessary, the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code, as amended.
1. All roof-mounted and/or integrated SES shall only be permitted if it is determined the additional weight, infrastructure, and/or modifications will not compromise the structural integrity of the building.
(k) Wires. All electrical wires associated with a ground-mounted solar energy system, other than wires necessary to connect the solar energy system to the tower wiring, the tower wiring to the disconnect junction box, and the grounding wires, must be located underground.
(l) Noise. All converters and inverters shall be located away from adjacent residences.
(m) Good Repair. An owner shall construct, operate, repair, maintain and replace solar energy system facilities as needed to keep the solar energy system in good repair and operating condition in a manner that protects the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.
(n) Utility Notification. All on-grid SES shall comply with the interconnection requirements of the electric utility. [Ord. 6 (2022).]