As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMSStructures, equipment, devices or construction techniques used for the production of heat, light, cooling, electricity or other forms of energy on a site and that may be attached to or separated from the principal use.
ARRAYAny number of electrically connected photovoltaic (PV) modules providing a single electrical output.
BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC (BIPV)The incorporation of photovoltaic materials into the physical structure of a building. BIPV technologies include photovoltaic shingles or tiles, photovoltaic laminates and photovoltaic glass. Examples of placement include vertical facades, semitransparent skylights and windows, awnings (including fixed awnings) and roofs.
BUILDING-MOUNTED SYSTEMA solar energy system that is affixed to the side(s) of a building or other structure, either directly or by means of support structures or other mounting devices, but not including those mounted to the roof or top surface of a building. Said system is designed and intended to generate electricity solely for use on the subject lot, potentially for multiple tenants, through a distribution system that is not available to the public.
CELLThe smallest basic solar electric (photovoltaic) device that can generate electricity when exposed to radiant energy (visible sunlight).
COMMUNITY SOLARInstallations of solar photovoltaic systems that are shared by a group of local residents and/or business owners, such as "adopt a solar panel" programs or other similar arrangements, where multiple community subscribers receive credit on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced.
GLARETo shine with a harsh, bright light.
GLINTTo shine in small, bright flashes.
GROUND-MOUNTED SYSTEMA photovoltaic system mounted on a structure, pole or series of poles that are constructed specifically to support the photovoltaic system and not physically attached to any structure.
MEGAWATTA unit of power equal to 1,000,000 watts.
MODULEThe smallest protected assembly of interconnected photovoltaic cells.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV)Any material or device with the capability to generate electric current or voltage when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (radiant energy), in particular visible light from the sun.
PRIME FARMLANDLand designated as "prime farmland" (including prime farmland if drained) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database on Web Soil Survey, that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is also available for these land uses.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLERA person who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of photovoltaic solar equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved therein. This shall include persons who are on the list of eligible photovoltaic installers, as maintained by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), or who are certified as a solar installer by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Persons who are not on the NYSERDA or NABCEP lists of eligible or certified installers may be deemed to be qualified solar installers if the Code Enforcement Office of the Town of Evans determines such persons to have had adequate training to determine the degree and extent of any hazard and have the personal protective equipment, as well as the skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from other parts of electrical equipment and to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts.
ROOF-MOUNTED SYSTEMA solar power system in which solar panels are mounted on top of the structure either as a flush-mounted system or as modules fixed to frames that can be tilted or articulated to achieve an optimal angle for tracking the sun.
SOLAR ACCESSLand area or space that is open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade, including structures built on private property that do not infringe on the rights of adjacent properties.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM (SPS)A solar collection system consisting of one or more building- and/or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic cells, modules, panels or arrays and solar-related equipment that rely upon solar radiation as an energy source for collection of solar energy, conversion of solar energy to electricity, inversion of DC electricity to AC electricity and storage/distribution of electricity generated through the system.
SPS TYPE 1A utility (large) scale system designed solely for the purpose of capturing solar energy, transferring it to the grid, and selling electricity to the public utility entity by way of a value of distributed energy resources (VDER), or other compensation mechanism(s) set forth by the state and/or utility companies.
SPS TYPE 2A small-scale system designed to generate no more than 110% of the electricity consumed on a residential or commercial site over the previous 12 months. A Type 2 system shall be permitted to supply power to the local utility grid, on a limited basis, by way of VDER.
TRACKING SYSTEMA number of photovoltaic modules mounted such that they track the movement of the sun across the sky to maximize energy production, either with a single-axis or dual-axis mechanism.
UTILITY-SCALE PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMA solar photovoltaic system that is designed and intended to supply electrical energy solely to the utility grid for sale to the general public.
VALUE OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES (VDER)The replacement for net metering agreements (NEM). This mechanism compensates solar projects based on when and where they provide electricity to the grid. NYSERDA New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) provides additional guidance and calculations for VDER.