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Sec. 117-430. - Alternative energy systems. <br />(c) Solar energy systems . In all districts, solar energy systems shall be permitted as an accessory use in <br />accordance with the standards in this section. <br />(1) Exemptions . Passive or building -integrated solar energy systems are exempt from the <br />requirements of this section and shall be regulated as any other building element. <br />(2) Standards. <br />a. Location. Ground -mounted solar energy systems may be permitted in any yard. <br />1. In residential districts, the location of ground -mounted solar energy systems shall be in <br />accordance with the accessory building location standards in City Code section 117- <br />349(d)(12). <br />b. Setbacks. <br />1. Ground -mounted solar energy systems shall be located on a property such that the <br />distance to the closest property boundary is at least equal to the height of the solar <br />energy system at its maximum designed tilt. <br />2. Building -mounted solar energy systems shall comply with all building setbacks in the <br />applicable zoning district and shall not extend beyond the perimeter of the building on <br />which the system is mounted unless the mounting system has been explicitly <br />engineered to safely extend beyond the edge. <br />3. In residential districts, front, side and rear yard setbacks for ground -mounted solar <br />energy systems shall be in accordance with accessory building setbacks outlined in City <br />Code section 117-111(d). <br />c. Height. <br />1. The height of ground -mounted solar energy systems at maximum designed tilt shall not <br />exceed the distance from the nearest property boundary or the maximum allowable <br />building height for the applicable zoning district, whichever is more restrictive. <br />2. Building -mounted solar energy systems shall comply with the maximum allowable <br />building height for the applicable zoning district. <br />3. In residential districts, the height of ground -mounted solar energy systems shall be in <br />accordance with accessory building height limitations outlined in City Code section 117- <br />349(d)(6). <br />d. Easements. Solar energy systems shall not encroach on public drainage, utility, roadway or <br />trail easements. <br />e. Feeder lines. The electrical collection system shall be placed underground within the interior <br />of each property. The collection system may be placed overhead near substations or points <br />of interconnection to the electric grid. <br />f. Aesthetics. All solar energy systems shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the <br />building and to minimize glare toward vehicular traffic and adjacent properties to the extent <br />possible without impacting the performance of the system. <br />Abandonment. If a solar energy system remains non-functional or inoperative for a <br />continuous period of one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall <br />constitute a public nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their <br />expense after obtaining a demolition permit. <br />h. Permits. A permit(s) shall be obtained for any solar energy system in accordance with <br />Minnesota State Building Code prior to installation. <br />g. <br />Page 1 <br />