Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay Subdistrict. This district shall consist of the following land and parcels: All land and parcels within the boundaries of the Industrial Extensive (IE) Zoning District shown on the Zoning Map and as described in Article 3 elsewhere in this Bylaw.

Medium-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay Subdistrict. This district shall consist of the following land and parcels: All land and parcels within the boundaries of the Industrial Extensive (IE), Business (B), Business Industrial (BI), and Agricultural (A) Zoning Districts shown on the Zoning Map and as described in Article 3 elsewhere in this Bylaw.

Small-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay Subdistrict. This district shall consist of the following land and parcels: All land and parcels within the boundaries of the Industrial Extensive (IE), Business (B), Business Industrial (BI), Agricultural (A), and all Residential (RE, RT, RS, RU) Zoning Districts shown on the Zoning Map and as described in Article 3 elsewhere in this Bylaw.

Solar Parking Canopy Solar Photovoltaic Overlay Subdistrict. This district shall consist of the following land and parcels: All land and parcels within the boundaries of the Industrial Extensive (IE), Business (B), Business Industrial (BI), and Agricultural (A) Zoning Districts shown on the Zoning Map and as described in Article 3 elsewhere in this Bylaw.

Roof-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay Subdistrict. This district shall consist of the following land and parcels: All land and parcels within the boundaries of the Industrial Extensive (IE), Business (B), Business Industrial (BI), Agricultural (A), and all Residential (RE, RT, RS, RU) Zoning Districts shown on the Zoning Map and as described in Article 3 elsewhere in this Bylaw.

Municipal Solar Photovoltaic Overlay Subdistrict. This district shall consist of the following land and parcels: All municipally owned land and parcels, buildings and structures within the boundaries of the Industrial Extensive (IE), Business (B), Business Industrial (BI), Agricultural (A), and all Residential (RE, RT, RS, RU) Zoning Districts shown on the Zoning Map and as described in Article 3 elsewhere in this Bylaw.

Roof-mounted solar energy systems of any size shall be permitted as a by-right accessory use in all use districts. The installation of roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not be considered a change, extension or alteration that requires a finding by the Zoning Board of Appeals per M.G.L. c. 40A, § 6 if the roof-mounted solar energy systems meet the following requirements:

Municipal solar energy systems: Notwithstanding the solar energy use provisions above, solar energy systems, whether ground-mounted, parking canopy, or roof-mounted of any scale, may be installed as of right on municipally owned or leased property in all zoning districts. Ground-mounted solar energy systems or municipally owned or leased land require site plan review. The same dimensional, design and general requirements that apply to privately installed and operated solar energy systems shall apply to solar energy systems installed on municipally owned property.

Where solar energy systems would be installed in an Historic District, the system shall require approval by the Historic District Commission.

Site control. The project proponent shall submit documentation of actual access and control of the project site sufficient to allow for construction and operation of the proposed solar photovoltaic installation.

Operation and maintenance plan. The project proponent shall submit a plan for the operation and maintenance of the large-scale ground-mounted, medium-scale ground-mounted SES or solar parking canopy, which shall include measures for maintaining safe access to the installation, stormwater controls, as well as general procedures for operational maintenance of the installation.

Utility notification. No ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array shall be constructed until written confirmation has been given to the Planning Board that the utility company that operates the electrical grid where the installation is to be located has been informed of the solar photovoltaic installation owner's or operator's intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator and its acceptance of the owner's or operator's request to connect to the grid. Off-grid systems shall be exempt from this requirement.

For large-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic arrays, front, side and rear setbacks shall be as follows:

For medium-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic arrays, front, sides, and rear setbacks shall be as follows:

Small-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic arrays shall be constructed in accordance with the bulk and dimensional requirements applicable to accessory structures in the underlying district as defined in elsewhere in the Zoning Bylaw.

Parking canopy solar photovoltaic arrays shall be allowed where parking is permitted and shall be constructed in accordance with the bulk and dimensional requirements applicable to parking in the underlying district as defined elsewhere in the Zoning Bylaw, except as otherwise provided herein:

*Setbacks for ground-mounted solar photovoltaic arrays or municipal solar energy systems may be increased or reduced if, in the opinion of the Planning Board based on evidence submitted by applicant, existing and/or proposed screening will be adequate to minimize visual impact (as described in § 300-19.10D). Under no circumstance will setbacks be reduced to less than the dimensional requirements for the zoning district. A special permit may be granted by the Planning Board for by-right ground-mounted systems for reduced setbacks.

For roof-mounted solar energy systems or municipal solar energy systems dimensional requirements shall be as follows:

Lighting. Lighting of solar energy systems shall be consistent with local, state and federal law. Lighting of other parts of the installation, such as appurtenant structures, shall be limited to that required for safety and operational purposes, and shall be shielded from abutting properties. Lighting of the solar photovoltaic installation shall be directed downward and shall incorporate full cut-off fixtures to reduce light pollution.

Signage. Signs on solar energy systems shall comply with the sign bylaw (Article 13), except that one additional sign no more than one square foot in area shall be required to identify the owner and provide 24-hour emergency contact information. Solar photovoltaic installations shall not be used for displaying any advertising except for identification of the manufacturer or operator of the solar photovoltaic installation.

Utility connections. All utility connections from the solar energy systems shall be underground; provided, however, that the Planning Board may waive this requirement as part of its site plan approval based on soil conditions, shape, and topography of the site and/or any requirements of the utility provider. Electrical transformers for utility interconnections may be above ground if required by the utility provider.

Emergency services. The solar energy system owner or operator shall provide a copy of the project summary, electrical schematic, and site plan to the Fire Chief. The owner or operator shall coordinate and train local emergency services and develop an emergency response plan that includes a 24-hour per day, seven days a week contact. The means to shut down the solar energy systems will be clearly marked. The owner or operator shall identify a responsible person for public inquiries throughout the life of the installation.

Land clearing, soil erosion and habitat impacts. Clearing of natural vegetation shall be limited to what is necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of the solar energy systems or otherwise prescribed by applicable laws, regulations, and by laws. Herbicides shall only be applied by properly licensed personnel. Mowing, grazing, or using geotextile materials underneath the solar arrays may be permissible alternatives and require Planning Board approval as part of the site plan review.

Impact on agricultural and environmentally sensitive land. The solar energy systems shall be designed to minimize stormwater, temperature and other environmental impacts to agricultural and environmentally sensitive land, including abutting parcels, and to be compatible with continued agricultural use of the land whenever possible.

Visual impact. Structures shall be shielded from view by vegetation and/or joined and clustered to minimize adverse visual impacts. Landscaping, natural features, opaque fencing and other suitable methods shall be utilized. Solar energy systems permitted under this Bylaw are bound by the buffer requirements found in Article 6 of this Bylaw for parcels that adjoin residential districts. Additionally, a screening plan shall be submitted ensuring that the solar arrays and any appurtenant structures do not create a glare concern for adjacent residences and are screened from roads and from adjacent lots by a minimum 25-foot-wide buffer strip and shall contain a screen of plantings not less than five feet in width and six feet in height at the time of operation of the facility or such greater height as required by the Planning Board depending on the location of the site. The Planning Board may alter or waive this requirement if such screening would have a detrimental impact on the operation and performance of the array, or would prove to be ineffective for the site. A diversity of plant species shall be used, with a preference for species native to New England. Use of invasive plants, as identified by the most recent copy of the "Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List" maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, is prohibited.

Noise. Noise generated by solar energy systems and associated equipment and machinery shall conform to applicable state noise regulations, including the DEP's Division of Air Quality noise regulations, 310 CMR 7.10.

Security. Installation of fencing and/or other access control measures shall be employed to limit access to the solar energy systems to facility personnel and emergency responders. Outdoor access control measures shall be compatible with the character of the area in which they are installed and shall be approved by the Planning Board as part of the site plan review. In the application, the applicant shall provide a description of all access control measures planned for the proposed installation.

Solar energy system conditions. The solar energy system owner or operator shall maintain the facility in very good condition. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, painting, structural repairs, trash removal, pest control, and integrity of security measures. Site access shall be maintained to a level acceptable to the Town Public Safety Officials. The owner or operator shall be responsible for the cost of maintaining the solar energy systems and any access road(s), unless accepted as a public way.

Modifications. Any modifications to a solar energy system made after issuance of the required building permit shall require approval by the Planning Board in accordance with § 300-14.12.

Removal requirements.

Abandonment. Absent notice of a proposed date of decommissioning or written notice of extenuating circumstances, the solar energy system shall be considered abandoned when it fails to operate for more than six months without the written consent of the Planning Board. If the owner or operator of the solar photovoltaic installation fails to remove the installation in accordance with the requirements of this section within 150 days of abandonment or the proposed date of decommissioning, the Town may take appropriate enforcement action, including pursuing all available civil or criminal penalties.

Failure to comply with regulation. If an applicant fails to comply with the requirements of this regulation, the Town may elect to enforce the regulation by revoking the license granted to the applicant, by entering the property and removing the installation, which expenses shall be paid by the applicant or landowner within 30 days of notice by the Town. If such expenses are not paid in full, the Town may impose a lien. In addition, the applicant or landowner shall be liable jointly and severably for all expenses the Town incurs in obtaining judicial enforcement of this Article.

Prior to the issuance of a building permit for a solar energy system, plans for the proposed facilities shall be submitted to the Planning Board for site plan review. In addition to the requirements of § 300-14.12 for site plan approval, applications for a solar energy system shall also include:

The Planning Board may waive documentary requirements as it deems appropriate. All waiver requests must be written on the site plan.

Notice of application to Planning Board shall be filed by the applicant with the Town Clerk, who shall date stamp it and forward a copy of the notice to the Planning Board. Upon receipt of an application, the Town Planner shall review it for completeness and file a determination of completeness or a notice of missing items with the Town Clerk within 21 days of the date stamped on the notice by the Town Clerk unless an extension of time is agreed to in writing by the applicant. A copy of this notice shall also be sent to the applicant.

Following the procedures and review criteria of § 300-14.12 and the requirements of this Article, the Planning Board shall review the application and file its site plan decision with the Town Clerk within 120 days of a determination of completeness by the Town Planner. Failure by the Planning Board to take final action and file its decision with the Town Clerk within the allotted time, unless an extension of time is agreed to in writing by the applicant, shall be deemed to be approval of the site plan.