A solar energy system that consists of integrating photovoltaic modules into the building structure, such as the roof or the facade and which does not alter the relief of the roof.

Solar installations owned collectively through subdivision homeowner associations, adopt-a-solar-panel programs, or other similar arrangements.

Photovoltaic panels and tiles that are installed flush to the surface of a roof and which cannot be angled or raised.

A solar energy system that is directly installed in the ground and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure.

An area of land or other area used for a solar collection system principally used to capture solar energy and convert it to electrical energy to transfer to the public electric grid in order to sell electricity to or receive a credit from a public utility entity, but also may be for on-site use. Facilities consist of one or more ground- or roof-mounted solar collector devices, solar-related equipment and other accessory structures and buildings, including light reflectors, concentrators, and heat exchangers, substations, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant structures and facilities. Major solar collection systems are defined as ground-mounted accessory systems with a total surface area greater than 1,000 square feet.

A solar photovoltaic cell, panel, or array, or solar hot air or water collector device, which relies upon solar radiation as an energy source for collection, inversion, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation or transfer of stored heat, accessory to the use of the premises for other lawful purposes. Minor solar collection systems are defined as roof- or building-mounted solar collectors greater than 60 square feet on any code-compliant structure, and ground-mounted solar collectors with the total surface area greater than 60 square feet and less than 1,000 square feet.

A billing arrangement that allows solar customers to get credit for excess electricity that they generate and deliver back to the grid so that they only pay for their net electricity usage at the end of the month.

The Town authority (CEO) charged with granting permits for the operation of solar energy systems.

A solar energy system that produces electricity by the use of semiconductor devices, called photovoltaic cells, that generate electricity whenever light strikes them.

A person who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of solar electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved. Persons who are on the list of eligible photovoltaic installers 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), shall be deemed to be qualified solar installers for the purposes of this definition. Proof of certification is required.

A solar power system in which solar panels are mounted on top of the structure of a roof either as a flush-mounted system or as modules fixed to frames.

For purposes of this article, refers to solar photovoltaic systems that produce up to 25 kilowatts (kW) per hour of energy or solar-thermal systems which serve the building to which they are attached, and do not provide energy for any other buildings.

Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade, including the orientation of streets and lots to the sun, so as to permit the use of active and/or passive solar energy systems on individual properties.

A solar photovoltaic cell, panel, or array, or solar hot-air or water-collector device, which relies upon solar radiation as an energy source for the generation of electricity or transfer of stored heat.

An easement recorded pursuant to New York Real Property Law § 335-b, the purpose of which is to secure the right to receive sunlight across real property of another for continued access to sunlight necessary to operate a solar collector.

Solar collectors, controls, energy-storage devices, heat pumps, heat exchangers, and other materials, hardware or equipment necessary to the process by which solar radiation is collected, converted into another form of energy, stored, protected from unnecessary dissipation and distributed. Solar systems include solar thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated solar.

Solar systems above 25 kilowatts (kW).

A device for the direct conversion of solar energy into electricity.

A device that stores energy from the sun and makes it available in an electrical form.

Solar-thermal systems directly heat water or other liquid using sunlight. The heated liquid is used for such purposes as space heating and cooling, domestic hot water, and heating pool water.