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Article 5: Uses 30 <br /> Section 5.9: Standards for Utilities <br /> where a solar array is being erected to manage, remove, or otherwise <br /> alter foliage to guarantee solar access to a proposed array. <br /> (b) Capacity, Volume, and Area Limits <br /> Solar Arrays, whether building or ground mounted, shall conform to the <br /> following limits: <br /> (i) Residential <br /> a. Have a rated capacity consistent with local utility <br /> providers net metering policy not to exceed 20 kilowatts <br /> (for electricity) <br /> b. Have a rated storage volume of less than or equal to 240 <br /> gallons (for heated water); or <br /> C. Have a collector area of less than or equal to 1,000 <br /> square feet(for thermal), <br /> (ii) Non-residential <br /> a. Limits shall be based on the average electricity, storage <br /> volume, and thermal collector area necessary to support <br /> the needs of the proposed facility, <br /> (c) Device(s) shall provide power for the principal use of the property on <br /> which it is located and shall not be installed and/or used solely for <br /> income generation purposes where power is sold either to a utility <br /> provider or other similar third party entity. <br /> This provision shall be in no way construed as limiting the ability of the <br /> Property owner to: <br /> (i) Transfer or sell excessive power generated onsite back to the <br /> utility provider or other third party entity or <br /> (ii) Receive credit from a local utility provider for the power <br /> generated onsite as a means to offset utility bills. <br /> (d) The property owner shall provide the County with written authorization <br /> from the local utility company acknowledging and approving the utility <br /> connection. <br /> (e) The site plan shall denote the location of any batteries or other similar <br /> storage devices onsite. <br /> 14 Staff added this statement in an effort to address some concern that,by adopting these standards,the County <br /> would in effect be proactively requiring adjacent property owners to eliminate foliage in order to ensure access to a <br /> solar array. From my standpoint the sole purpose of this amendment is to allow those individuals inclined to erect <br /> alternative energy devices on their property an opportunity to do so without necessarily impacting adjacent land <br /> owners. <br /> "In development subsection(b)(i)staff reviewed standard utility deals with private citizens on what is typically <br /> erected in a residential and non-residential setting. This included reviewing the matter with private citizens who <br /> have installed alternative energy devices on their property and a discussion on the typical limitations imposed with <br /> respect to the ultimate power generated on-site. <br /> 16 Amendment to reflect modification of proposed regulation made at the September 5,2012 Planning Board <br /> meeting in green text. Staff concurred with the proposed modification. <br /> 17 Limits on non-residential capacity were modified to address a Planning Board concern over different uses having <br /> different minimum power needs. As a result,capacity will be decided on a case by case basis. <br /> "Staff added the regulation to prevent the erection of solar arrays solely for the purpose of income generation, <br /> especially on residentially zoned property. <br /> 19 This provision was added to ensure emergency responders are aware of the location of batteries or other storage <br /> devices on-site in the event of an emergency. <br /> Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-77 <br />