(a)

Definitions:

(1)

Solar collection system means a solar energy system that transforms solar energy into another form of energy or transfers heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means.

(2)

Small scale solar collection system means a solar collection system that transforms solar energy into another form of energy or transfers heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means, principally for use on the same property.

(3)

Solar farm means a solar collection system placed in an area for the purpose of generating photovoltaic electric power principally for use off-site, or where the solar collection system is the primary land use on the parcel where it is located, or where the total area of a ground based or free standing solar collection system occupies more than one (1) acre. This is also referred to as a "solar park," "solar power plant" or "solar photovoltaic farm."

(b)

Solar collectors shall not emit unreasonable glare. Exterior surfaces of the collectors and related equipment shall have a non-reflective finish. Solar panels shall be placed and arranged such that reflected solar radiation or glare shall not be directed onto the habitable portion of adjacent buildings or properties, or onto roadways, in such manner as to cause a nuisance, impair the vision of a driver of any motor vehicle, or be detrimental to public health, safety, and welfare.

(c)

Requirements for labeling and signage, installation, structural certification, roof covering must comply with applicable building codes.

(d)

All systems must be clearly marked, including the:

(1)

Main service disconnect;

(2)

All conduit, raceways, enclosures, cable assemblies and junction boxes to alert the fire service to avoid cutting them, every ten (10) feet, at turns and at penetrations, and at all combiner and junction boxes.

(e)

To insure emergency personnel access, in particular for fire departments, roof mounted systems shall provide access and spacing requirements in order to:

(1)

Insure roof access and egress.

(2)

Provide pathways throughout the roof area.

(3)

Provide smoke ventilation opportunity are areas.

(f)

No permit shall be issued without proof that any electrical utility with power to the property has been informed of applicant's intent to install a solar collection system.

(g)

Solar installations in any historic district shall require a certificate of appropriateness pursuant to the City of Dublin Historic District Ordinance.

(h)

Solar Easements—Property owners installing any solar energy collection system shall be responsible for negotiating with surrounding property owners any desired solar easement, and for properly recording and enforcing same.

(i)

A ten (10) foot area clear of trees, bushes or brush is required surrounding all ground mounted photovoltaic arrays. Vegetation in the area must be kept trimmed to less than eighteen (18) inches.

(Ord. No. 15-04, § 1, 3-19-2015)

Small scale solar collection systems shall be considered an accessory use in all zoning districts in accordance with the following requirements:

(a)

Freestanding solar panels:

1.

Shall only be permitted as an accessory use on the lot of a principal structure.

2.

Shall only be permitted in the rear and side yard the lot of a principal structure, or on the roof of conforming structures.

3.

When located on the ground or attached to a framework located on the ground shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height above the ground.

4.

Shall conform to all set back requirements as for other uses in the districts in which they are located.

5.

The total coverage of a lot with freestanding solar panels cannot exceed fifty percent (50%) lot coverage or the maximum allowable coverage for the district in which they are located, whichever is less.

6.

Small solar panel systems not connected to the electrical system of the structures on the property or to the electrical grid in any way, such as solar security or decorative yard lights, and where the solar panel area measures less than two (2) square feet, are exempt from permitting.

(b)

Roof-mounted solar panels:

1.

Shall not project vertically more than the height requirements for the district in which they are located.

2.

Where visible from the ground, shall be color-coordinated to harmonize with roof materials and other dominant colors of the structure.

3.

Owner shall provide proof of notification to the managing authority of any airport located within five (5) miles of the proposed location where the size of the installation exceeds one (1) acre.

(Ord. No. 15-04, § 1, 3-19-2015)

Solar farms shall be permitted only in the M-2 District, in accordance with the following regulations:

(a)

Solar farms shall be enclosed by perimeter fencing to restrict unauthorized access at a minimum height of six (6) feet, which shall be maintained in good condition, and any gates shall be securely locked.

(b)

The manufacturers' or installers' identification and appropriate warning signage shall be posted at the site in a clearly visible manner. At least one sign shall be posted at the entrance to the facility showing the owner's name, address and emergency contact information.

(c)

On-site power lines shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be placed underground.

(d)

Solar farms shall adhere to the requirements of the district in which they are located, including but not limited to setbacks, height, lot area coverage requirements and buffer requirements.

(1)

Where a solar farm is located on a major street, solar plant structures must be located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the right-of-way.

(2)

A solar farm with solar panels within one hundred (100) feet of any street must have sufficient barriers to prevent a passenger vehicle leaving that street at the maximum speed limit from entering the solar field. A "passenger vehicle" means every motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or less.

(e)

The following requirements shall be met for permit applications:

(1)

A descriptive plot plan including setbacks, panel sizes, locations of property lines, buildings, and road right-of-ways.

(2)

The plan shall include a fire suppression system sufficient to prevent a fire from spreading off the site.

(3)

No solar farm shall be installed until evidence has been given to the city that the electric utility company has been informed of the customer's intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator. Off-grid systems shall be exempt from this requirement.

(4)

An affidavit or evidence of agreement between lot owner and the facility's owner or operator confirming that the owner or operator has permission of the property owner to apply for necessary permits for construction and operation of the urban solar farm.

(5)

Proof of notification to the managing authority of any airport located within five (5) miles of the proposed location.

(6)

Any other relevant studies, reports, certificates and approvals as may be reasonably requested by the City of Dublin, including but not limited to design review.

(f)

The following requirements shall be met for decommissioning solar farms:

(1)

Each applicant for a permit must submit decommissioning plans that describe the anticipated life of the solar project, the party responsible for decommissioning, the estimated decommissioning costs in current dollars, and the method for ensuring by bond that funds will be available for decommissioning and restoration.

(2)

Preferred bond instruments shall include cash or surety from a bonding company with authority to operate in the State of Georgia and approved by the city. The bond shall consist of three components for purposes of determining its amount. The first component will address environmental liabilities including hazardous materials liabilities, such as risks associated with hazardous waste and hazardous substances. The second component will address the decommissioning, removal, and proper disposal, as appropriate, of improvements and facilities. The third component will address reclamation, re-vegetation, restoration, and soil stabilization. There shall be a single instrument to cover all potential liabilities. The entire bond amount may be used to address a single risk event such as hazardous materials release or groundwater contamination regardless of the fact that in calculating the total bond amount other risks were also considered. If the bond is used to address a particular risk, the holder would then be required to increase the bond amount to compensate for this use.

(3)

Solar farms which have not been in active and continuous service for a period of one (1) year shall be removed at the owners or operators expense.

(4)

The site shall be restored to as natural condition as possible within six (6) months of the removal.

(5)

A site will be considered decommissioned when, after inspection and approval by the city, all structures and equipment are removed and the site is re-vegetated.

(Ord. No. 15-04, § 1, 3-19-2015)