The installation of solar energy systems shall be permitted as an accessory use within all zoning districts, except the H-Historic District, in accordance with the regulations herein.

The installation of closed loop geothermal energy systems shall be permitted as an accessory use within all zoning districts in accordance with the regulations herein.

The installation of solar energy systems shall be permitted as an accessory use by conditional use in the H-Historic District.

Ground arrays shall not be placed in the front yard unless appropriate year-round screening, vegetative or otherwise, is provided, subject to conditional use approval.

A wind energy system shall be permitted as an accessory use by conditional use in the FR District.

An applicant shall comply with all applicable building codes.

All solar panels and solar energy collectors shall be accessory to the principal use of the lot and shall be located on the same lot as the principal use that they serve.

For properties in common ownership, additional locations for the solar energy systems are permitted consistent with the virtual net metering provisions of the utility.

All solar panels and solar energy collectors shall be located so as to minimize glare upon any neighboring properties or any public or private street. The Zoning Officer shall determine if glare rises to the level to constitute a nuisance, and shall recommend techniques to mitigate a nuisance.

All solar panels and solar energy collectors shall be located to minimize visual impact to neighboring properties. The Zoning Officer shall determine if visual impact rises to the level to constitute a nuisance, and shall recommend techniques to mitigate a nuisance.

Solar energy systems may be permitted as ground arrays in accordance with the following standards:

Rooftop solar energy systems installed on a principal or accessory use, building or structure shall not exceed the maximum height requirements of the zoning district in which the system is located.

No portion of a rooftop array installed on a pitched roof shall extend above the ridge line of the pitched roof.

All exterior wiring shall be underground. No aerial wiring system shall be employed in transmitting energy generated by an alternative energy system, unless there is an existing active, aerial wiring system that is utilized.

Rooftop arrays shall be arranged so that a minimum three-foot-wide continuous path is provided on each section of the rooftop for use by first responders, unless the current version of the International Fire Code (IFC) requires a wider minimum continuous path.

All solar energy systems shall conform to the following additional requirements:

A minimum lot size of two acres shall be provided.

All components of a wind energy system shall be set back from all property lines and/or above ground utility lines a distance equal to 110% of the wind turbine height, unless the system is attached to an existing nonconforming building location.

Wind energy systems shall not be permitted in a front yard area, between the front façade of the principal building and the adjacent street line.

Wind turbine height shall not exceed 65 feet from the average grade of the ground at the base of the turbine. If such turbine is roof-mounted, the height shall be measured from the average grade at the base of the structure supporting the turbine.

No more than one wind energy system with a maximum generation capacity of 20 kW shall be permitted per property.

The design and installation of wind energy systems shall conform to all applicable local, state, and federal construction and electrical codes. The applicant shall submit manufacturer's specifications as part of the application for conditional use.

Wind energy systems shall be certified per all current relevant standards.

Noise. Wind energy systems shall not generate noise levels that exceed 52 decibels, as measured at the property line. The applicant shall submit sound information from the wind energy system manufacturer as part of the conditional use process.

The owner of the wind energy system shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or eliminate shadow flicker on any regularly occupied adjacent structure on an adjoining property.

Other Criteria. All wind energy systems shall also conform to the following additional requirements:

Design and Permitting. The design and installation of geothermal systems and related boreholes for geothermal heat pump systems shall conform to all applicable industry standards, including those of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), or other similar certifying organizations, and shall comply with the Township Building Code and with all other applicable Township requirements. The manufacturer specifications shall be submitted as part of the application. A zoning permit and building permit, under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, shall be required.

The geothermal system shall be installed, maintained, and decommissioned in conformance with standards established by the IGSHPA Closed-loop/Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Design and Installation Standards, as same may be amended from time to time.

Only closed loop geothermal systems shall be permitted in the Township. Such systems shall meet the regulations of the Chester County Health Department, Section 501, and the standards contained herein.

Minimum Setbacks. Geothermal boreholes and wells shall be set back in accordance with the following:

Geothermal systems shall be considered an accessory use for purposes of compliance with the Part 12, Steep Slope Conservation District, regulations.

Closed loop geothermal systems shall use a heat transfer fluid that is potable or beneficial reuse water and may have nontoxic antifreeze such as propylene glycol added.

Discharge of Water from Drilling Boreholes.

A solar energy system or wind energy system that is out of service for a continuous twelve-month period will be deemed to have been abandoned.

The Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a notice of abandonment to the owner. The notice shall be sent via regular and certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of record. The owner shall have the right to appeal from such notice to the Zoning Hearing Board, in which event, the Township shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the system has been abandoned, applying the same tests as would apply in the context of an alleged abandonment of a lawful nonconforming use.

Any abandoned system shall be removed at the owner's sole expense within six months after the owner receives the notice of abandonment from the Code Enforcement Officer. If the system is not removed within six months of receipt of notice for the Township notifying the owner of such abandonment, the Township may remove the system as set forth below:

In granting a conditional use, the Board of Supervisors may impose a requirement that the property owner post financial security with the Township in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of removal, in the event of abandonment.