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1 In all districts, solar energy systems shall be permitted as an accessory use in accordance with the <br />2 standards in this section. <br />3 (A) Exemptions. Passive or building -integrated solar energy systems are exempt from the requirements <br />4 of this section and shall be regulated as any other building element. <br />5 (B) Standards. <br />6 (1) Wall -Mounted or Roof -Mounted Systems <br />7 a. Building -mounted solar energy systems shall eomply-with all building sctbaelks in the <br />8 applicable zoning d+strict and shall not extend beyond the perimeter of the building on <br />9 which the system is mounted unless the mounting system has been explicitly engineered <br />10 to safely extend beyond the edge. <br />11 b. Building -mounted solar energy systems shall be included eomply with the maximum <br />12 allowable building height for the applicable zoning district. <br />13 '2) Ground -Mounted Systems <br />14 a. Ground -mounted solar energy systems shall be located on any property such that the <br />15 distance to the closest property boundary is at least equal to the height of the solar energy <br />16 system at its maximum designed tilt. <br />17 b. In residential districts, front, side, and rear yard setbacks for ground -mounted solar <br />18 energy systems shall be in accordance with accessory building setbacks. <br />19 c. In business districts, Ground -mounted solar energy systems may be permitted in any <br />20 yard. <br />21 •d. The hcight of ground mounted solar Energy—systemsEnergy-systems at maximum designed tilt shall net <br />22 exceed the -distance from the ncrest property boundary or thc maximum allowable <br />23 building hcight for thc applicable zoning d+stri-ct, wh-ichcvcr is more restrictive. <br />24 f. In residential districts, the height of ground mounted solar energy systems shall be i-n <br />25 accordance with accessory building hcight limitations outlined in City Codc section 117- <br />26 349(d)(6). <br />27 d. Glare. The panels of ground mounted solar energy systems shall be placed and arranged <br />28 such that reflected solar radiation or glare shall not be directed onto adjacent buildings, <br />29 properties or roadways. <br />30 e. Solar canopies over parking lots, loading areas, or outdoor storage areas are permitted to <br />31 have the same setbacks as the parking lot, loading area, or outdoor storage area below. <br />32 <br />33 •d. Easements. Solar energy systems shall not encroach on publie-drainage, utility, roadway or <br />34 trail casement. <br />35 (C) Feeder lines. The electrical collection system shall be placed underground within the interior of each <br />36 property. The collection system may be placed overhead near substations or points of interconnection <br />37 to the electric grid. <br />38 f. Aesthetics. All solar cncrgy systems shall be designed to blend into thc architecture of thc <br />39 building and to minimize glare toward vehicular traffic and adjacent properties to thc extent <br />40 essiblc without impacting th-c performance of thc systcm. <br />41 (D) Abandonment. If a solar energy system remains non-functional or inoperative for a continuous period <br />42 of one year, thc system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a publ+c nuisance. 'he <br />43 owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after obtaining a demolition permit. <br />44 h. permits. A permit(s) shall be —obtained for any—s-olar cncrgy system in accordance with <br />45 Minnesota State Building Code prier to installation. <br />46 1. Prior to the issuance of a permit for a ground mounted solar cncrgy system in a residcntia[ <br />47 district or on a property abutting a resi-d-en-tial district, the permit appkcant must provide <br />48 an analysis demonstrating that the ground mounted systcm will not impact aesthetics of <br />49 adjacent residential properties due to glare. <br />Page 41 of 160 <br />