§ 276-80. Standards.

A. 

Solar energy systems.

(1) 

Solar panels shall be permitted as a rooftop installation in any zoning district. The solar panels shall not exceed a height of 12 inches from the surface of the rooftop. In no event shall the placement of the solar panels result in a total height including building and panels greater than one foot to what is permitted in the zoning district in which they are located for the principal building. Building height by definition is defined in § 276-7 of the Land Development Ordinance. Panels installed in a rooftop configuration must be installed within the actual boundaries or edges of the roof area and cannot overhang any portion of the edge of roof.

(2) 

Any solar panels and/or arrays mounted on a pole, tower and/or ground-mounted apparatus or array of any size is prohibited under this article. Such application is required to be reviewed by applicable Planning or Zoning Board(s).

B. 

The design of solar energy systems shall, to the extent reasonably possible, including rooftop installations, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend into the natural setting and existing environment.

C. 

Rooftop installations must not interfere with any operation of plumbing fixtures protruding from the rooftop level as required by the New Jersey Plumbing Codes.

D. 

Signs. There shall be no signs that are visible from any public road posted on a solar energy system or any associated building, except for the manufacturer's or installer's identification in accordance with Subsection E below, appropriate warning signs, or owner identification. Solar energy systems shall not be used for displaying any advertising except for small and reasonable identification of the manufacturer or operator of the system. In no case shall any identification sign be visible from a property line.

E. 

Utility notifications and interconnection. Solar systems that connect to the electric utility shall comply with the New Jersey's Net Metering and Interconnection Standards for Class I Renewable Energy Systems at NJAC 14:4-9.

(1) 

Labeling requirements.

(a) 

A minimum of one sign shall be posted near ground level on the interconnection cabinet warning of high voltage. In addition, the following information shall be posted on a label or labels on the interconnection cabinet of the solar energy system:

[1] 

The maximum power output of the system.

[2] 

Nominal voltage and maximum current.

[3] 

Manufacturer's name, address and telephone number, serial number and model number.

[4] 

Emergency and normal shutdown procedures.

(b) 

Should the solar energy system interconnection cabinet be located on the inside of a structure, a sign notifying the existence of a solar energy system shall be placed on the outside of the building, near the electrical and/or gas meter in order to notify emergency personnel of the solar energy system.

(2) 

Utility company notification. The Atlantic City Electric Company, its successors and assigns, and/or as designated by state authority, shall be notified in writing of any proposed interface to the company's grid prior to installing such interface and shall conform to any legislated requirements governing installations of solar energy systems so as to comply with the utility tariff specifications. Evidence of such notification shall be submitted at time of application for zoning permit and/or building permit.

F. 

Standards for and regulation of solar energy system.

(1) 

Construction. Solar energy system construction shall be in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Basic Building Code as adopted and as currently amended, by the State of New Jersey, and any future amendments and/or revisions to same.

(2) 

The installation of a solar energy system shall conform to the National Electric Code as adopted by the NJDCA and/or any other applicable agency with jurisdiction. The installation of a solar energy system is subject to any and all Atlantic City Electric Company requirements for interconnection, its successors and assigns, and/or as designated by state authority, in perpetuity.

(3) 

The structural design of any solar energy system shall be signed and sealed by a professional engineer, licensed in the State of New Jersey, certifying that the structural design complies with all of the standards set forth for safety and stability in all applicable codes then in effect in the State of New Jersey and all sections referred to hereinabove.

(4) 

Utility company notification. The Atlantic City Electric Company, its successors and assigns, and/or as designated by state authority shall be notified in writing of any proposed interface with that company's grid prior to installing such interface and shall conform to any legislated requirements governing installations of solar energy conversion systems so as to comply with the utility tariff specifications. Copy of said notification shall be submitted at time of application.

(5) 

The property owner and/or installer of the solar panel installation must receive approvals from any outside agencies having jurisdiction over the project prior to the installation.

G. 

Miscellaneous.

(1) 

All electric lines/utility wires shall be buried underground, as applicable and by applicable regulation and/or Code. All electric lines/utility wires leading down the side of the structure from rooftop installations shall be placed and tacked as aesthetically as possible.

(2) 

When a building or cabinet is necessary for storage cells or related mechanical equipment, it must be documented as to the necessity. The building may not exceed 120 square feet in area nor eight feet in height and must be located at least the number of feet equal to the accessory building setback requirements of the Zoning District from any property line. Any mechanical equipment associated with and necessary for operation, including any building or cabinet for batteries and storage cells, shall be equipped with a lock and posted with a small sign notifying the existence of a solar energy system batteries and storage cells on the outside of the building or cabinet, in order to notify emergency personnel.

(3) 

A solar energy system shall not add, contribute to or be calculated to cause an increase in the "building coverage of all buildings" requirement and/or maximum lot impervious surface(s) coverage of any lot, parcel and/or property.

(4) 

Any approval of a solar energy system does not create any actual or inferred solar energy system easement against adjacent property and/or structures. The owner and/or property owner of a solar energy system shall not infer or claim any rights to protective writs to any caused shadows or operating ineffectiveness against future development adjacent to or higher than the property location of the solar energy system. The approval of any solar energy system granted by the City of North Wildwood under this article shall not create any future liability or infer any vested rights to the owner and/or property owner of the solar energy system on the part of the City of North Wildwood or by any other officer or employee thereof for any future claims against said issuance of approval of the solar energy system that result from reliance on this article or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.