7.6. SR 04-18-2016 EGty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 7.6
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Public Hearin s Aril 18, 2016 Kristin Mroz, Environmental Technician
Item Description Reviewed by
Solar Energy Systems Ordinance Amendment -Zachary Carlton, Planning Manager
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Adopt,by motion, an ordinance establishing design standards for Solar Energy Systems.
Background/Discussion
Case No. OA 16-03
Elk River and Energy City are supporters of renewable energy technology. Recently,we have seen an
influx of interest in residential and commercial solar installations in the city due to financial incentives and
regulatory acceptance. The city currently has two residential installations,but has received interest from
seven parties in 2016.
In order to maintain uniformity of solar installations throughout the community, city staff, along with Elk
River Municipal Utilities (ERMU),is proposing a Solar Energy Systems Ordinance. The ordinance
addresses standards for installation appearance, fire safety concerns,permitting and notifications, and
building code compliance.
City and ERMU staff will develop a permit application used for approvals from ERMU and the Planning,
Environmental, and Building Divisions.
Planning Commission
The Commission did not have any concerns with the request and comments have not been received for
or against the proposed amendment.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval during their March 22, 2016, meeting.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
■ Ordinance Amendment
■ Draft Permit Application
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City of
Elk -�-�
River
Ordinance 16 -
An Ordinance Amending Section, 30-01, Definitions, and Adding Section 30-805,
Solar Energy Systems, of the City of Elk River, Minnesota, City Code
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. That § 30-01, Definitions, of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances shall be
amended to include the following definitions:
Building-Integrated Solar Energy System. A solar energy system that is directly incorporated into the
building by replacing typical building materials.
Community Solar. Any centrally-located solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that provide electricity to
participating subscribers residing or located off-site from the location of the solar energy system
under the provisions of Minnesota statutes 216B.1641 or successor statute.
Concentrated Solar System (CSS). A system using low to high-temperature collectors (mirrors,lenses
or other reflective surfaces) for the use of heating water or air.
Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System. A solar energy system that is installed onto the ground directly
or by means of brackets or poles.
Photovoltaic System (PV). An active solar energy system that converts solar energy directly
electricity.
Roof means the cover of any building,including the eaves and similar projections.
Boo Flat means a roof having a slope of less than 2 unit of rise for every 12 units of run.
Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systeyn. A solar energy system mounted to the roof of a structure.
Boo Pitched means a roof having a slope of 2 unit of rise for every 12 units of run or greater.
SolarAir Heat. See Solar Hot Air System.
SolarEnergy System. A set of devices,including Concentrated Solar Systems,whose primary
purpose is to provide for the collection,storage and distribution of solar energy for space heating
or cooling, electricity generation or waterheating.
Solar Furnace. See Solar Hot Air System.
Solar Fawn. A commercial facility that converts sunlight into electricity,whether by photovoltaic
(PV), concentrating solar thermal devices (CST , or other conversion technology, for the
principal purpose of wholesale sales of generated energy.
Solar HotAir System. An active solar energy system that includes a solar collector to provide
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direct supplemental space heating by heating and re-circulating conditioned building air.
Solar Hot Dater. See Solar Thermal Syste
Solar Storage Unit. A component of a solar energy device that is used to store solar generated
electricity or heat for later use.
Solar Thea-mal System. A system that includes a solar collector and a heat exchanger that heats
or preheats either a liquid or gas for building heating systems or other hot-water needs of
the building.
SECTION 2.That§ 30-805, Solar Energy Systems, of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances
shall be added and read as follows:
Sec. 30-805. — Solar Energy Systems
(a) Definitions. The definitions in section 30-1 are applicable in this section.
(b) Standards
(1) Height.
a. On pitched roofs,no portion of a flush mounted or bracket mounted panel in any
position shall extend beyond 6 inches above the roof peak of the roof plane they
are attached to nor exceed the maximum height requirements in that applicable
zoning district.
b. On flat roofs,no portion of a flush mounted or bracket mounted panel in any
position, shall exceed a height of five (5) feet above the flat roof they are attached
to nor exceed the maximum height requirements in that applicable zoning district..
c. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum accessory
structure height in any zoning district when oriented at maximum tilt.
(2) Setbacks.
a. Roof-mounted solar energysystems
1. Shall comply with all building setbacks in the applicable zoning districts.
2. Shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the roof on which the system is
mounted.
3. Unless required by the Fire Department. there are no setbacks requirements
from the exterior perimeters and/or peaks of a roofs
4. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the
perimeter of the building, no more than two (2) feet,in side and rear yards only.
b. Ground mounted solar energy systems
1. Shall be treated as an accessory structure and shall comply with all accessory
structure setbacks in the applicable zoning district.
2. Shall not extend into the side-yard or rear setback when oriented in any position.
3. For residential systems located within the urban service district, systems shall be
located in the rear and side yardsonly.
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(3) Coverage.
a. All solar energy systems shall comply with Minn. Stats. X1305.3113.
b. For all applications, Fire Department review is required.
(4) Glare. Solar systems shall be designed and located in order to prevent reflective glare
toward any inhabited buildings on adjacent properties, as well as adjacent street right-of-
ways and parks to the fullest possible extent. When necessary, screening may be required
to prevent glare.
a. Concentrated Solar Systems shall conduct a glare study to identify the impacts of the
system on occupied buildings and rights-of-way and parks within a half-mile of the
project boundary. The glare study shall also address aviation impacts.
(5) Exemption. Building integrated solar energy systems are exempt from the requirements
of this section and shall be regulated by the building code.
(c) Pemits and Not cations
(1) Pemits. The erection, alteration,improvement,reconstruction, and relocation of a
solar energy system requires a building permit from the city.
a. Applications. An applicant for a solar systemVermit shall make application to the
Building Department. The application shall accurately state:
1. The name and contact information of the applicant.
2. The name and contact information of the installer.
3. The address of the project being applied for.
4. To-scale horizontal and vertical elevation drawings showing_
a. Location of the system on the building or on the property,including
proper lines.
b. Any exterior devices (such as but not limited to inverters, electrical
boxes,batteries, etc.)
c. For roof-top solar:
1. All systems shall show the distance to the roof edges,parapets,
ridges, roof penetrations, or changes in roof plane.
2. Pitched roof mounted systems shall show the highest finished slope
of the solar collector and the slope of the finished roof surface on
which it is mounted.
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b. Approval—A— pplications that meet the design requirements of this ordinance, and
do not require a variance, shall be granted administrative approval by the
Building Official. Plan approval does not indicate compliance with Building,
Electric, or Plumbing Code.
(2) Utility Notcation. The owner of a solar energy system that will physically connect to a
house or other building's electrical system and/or the electric utility.grid must apply for
an interconnection agreement with the municipal utiht3�prior to the issuance of a
building permit.
(d) Compliance
(1) Compliance with building codes. All solar energy systems shall comply with the
N innesota Building Code and any local building code requirements.
a. Solar hot water systems shall comply with HVAC—related requirements of the
Energy Code.
(2) Compliance with electric code. All solar energy systems shall comply with the National
Electrical Code.
a. Electric solar energy system components must have a UL listing.
b. Solar hot water systems must have an SRCC rating.
(3) Compliance with-plumbing code. All solar thermal systems shall comply with the Minnesota
State Plumbing Code.
(e) Abandonment
(1) If the solar energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for more than twelve
(12) consecutive months, the system shall constitute a public nuisance. The property
owner shall obtain a demolition permit and remove the abandoned system at their
expense. Removal includes the entire structure,including collector,mount, and
transmission equipment.
(fl Conditional Uses
(1) Any Community Solar or Solar Farm project shall require a Conditional Use Permit.
(2) Any solar project exceeding 40 kW shall require a Conditional Use Permit.
(3) Any solar project developed over public or semi-public existing infrastructure (i.e.
trail, parking lot, sidewalk,pavilion, etc.) shall require a Conditional Use Permit.
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SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and be published as provided by
law.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this 18th day of April, 2016.
John J. Dietz,Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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City of Elk River Solar Energy Systems Permit Application
Elk
River Office Use Only
Application Date: Project Start Date: Project End Date: Permit#:
The resurrection,alteration,improvement,reconstruction,and movement of a solar energy system within the City Date Rec'd:
of Elk River requires a building permit from the city,pursuant to Chapter 30,Division X of the City of Elk River
Code of Ordinances.Each question must be answered before the application will be processed. Received by:
No work is authorized until the permit is signed by the property owner and contractor and returned to the City
of Elk River Building Department.
Name of Landowner
(same as signature below
Mailing Address of
Landowner
Address of Project
Telephone Number of
Email:
Landowner
Name of Contractor
Company
Name of Main Contact ate
License
Ko.
Contractors Address
Contractors Telephone
Number
Email"
What type of system is the project?Photovoltaic❑ Solar Hot Air❑ Solar Thermal❑ Concentrated❑
What type of installation is the project?Flat Roof Mount❑ Pitched Roof Mount❑ Ground Mount❑ Building Integrated❑
Is the mounting structure an engineered product designed? YES❑ NO❑
If No,provide details of structural attachment certified by a design professional.Manufacturer's engineering specifications are sufficient
to meet this requirement.
For manufactured mounting systems,fill in information on the mounting system below:
a.Mounting System Manufacturer
b.Product Name and Model#
c.Total Weight of Modules lbs
d.Total Surface Area of Modules ft2
Required Drawings and Plans
To-scale horizontal and vertical(elevation) drawings showing:
1. Site Plan showing(see"Example Site Plan"):
a. Location of the system on the building or on the property,including property lines.
b. Any exterior devices (such as,but not limited to,inverters,electrical boxes,batteries,etc.
2. For Roof-Top Solar(See"Example Roof Top Plan"):
a. Distance to the roof edges,parapets,ridges,roof penetrations (vents ,or changes in roof plane.
b. Pitched roof mounted systems shall show the highest finished slope of the solar collector and the slope of the finished
roof surface on which it is mounted.
Compliance
1. Compliance with building codes.All solar energy systems shall comply with the Minnesota Building Code and any local building
code requirements.
a. Solar hot water systems shall co✓nply with HVAC—related requirements of the Energy Code.
2. Compliance with electric code.All solar energy systems shall comply with the National Electrical Code.
a. Electric solar energy system components must have a UL listing.
b. Solar hot water systems must have an SRCC rating.
3. Compliance withplumbing code.All solar thermal systems shall comply with the Minnesota State Plumbing Code.
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City of Elk River Solar Energy Systems Permit Application
Complete For a Roof Mount System:
1.What year was the roof last installed?
2.What is the condition of the roofing material?
3.Is the roof a rafter system? YES❑ NO❑
4.Is the system to be flush-mounted to the roof such that the collector surface is parallel to the roof? YES❑ NO❑
5.Does the roof have a single layer of roof covering? YES❑NO❑
6.Identify method and types of weatherproofing for roof penetrations (e.g. flashing, caulk)?
7.Will the mounted modules with no more than an 18"gap beneath the module frames? YES❑ NO❑
If No,provide details of structural attachment certified by a design professional.Manufacturer's engineering specifications are sufficient
to meet this requirement.
8.For manufactured mounting systems,fill in information on the mounting system below:
a.Total Weight of Modules and Rails lbs
b.Total Number of Attachment Points (attachment points must be equally distributed across array)
c.Weight per Attachment Point lbs
d.Maximum Spacing between Attachment Points on a Rail inches
(see product manual for maximum spacing allowed based on maximum design wind speed).
e.Distributed Weight of Module on Roof(c-f) lbs/ft2
(If total is greater than 5lbs/ft2,a study or statement demonstrating the structural integrity of the installation,or a
statement stamped by a MN licensed certified structural engineer,may be required.)
Have You Submitted Two Copies Of Detailed Drawings Of The Project,Including All Below? YES❑ NO❑
❑Site Plan ❑Specification Sheets and Installations Manuals for:
❑PV Module(s)
❑Inverter(s)
❑Combiner Box
❑Disconnects
❑Mounting System
I certify by my signature below that the information I have provided in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I
understand that by applying for this permit,I grant the City of Elk River authority access to the property for inspection of the
property before and after the alteration takes place. I also understand that if I knowingly have provided any false information,I may be
subject to penalties enforceable bylaw.
Landowner Date Contractor Date
Office Use Only
PID:
Variance needed: Hearing: Variance granted:
CUP needed: Hearing: CUP granted:
Setbacks required:
Compliance with building codes: Compliance with plumbing codes: Compliance with electrical codes:
City of Elk River Solar Energy Systems Permit Application
Example Site Plan
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Example Roof Top Plan
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A=Shall not exceed more than 6 inches from the roof peak.
B=Shall not exceed 5'-0".
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