(1) Criteria applicable to all PSES:
The project narrative shall include the following: an overview of the project, project location, the approximate generating capacity, the number, representative types and heights of facilities to be constructed, including their generating capacity, dimensions, and respective manufacturers, and description of any ancillary facilities to the principal solar energy system.
An affidavit or similar evidence of agreement between the property owner and the solar energy facility owner or operator demonstrating permission to apply for necessary permits for construction and operation of a principal solar energy system facility.
All PSES applications after the effective date of this chapter shall be required to meet the terms and conditions of the Middle Smithfield Township Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to stormwater management, subdivision and land development, building and performance standards.
Any physical modification to any existing PSES, whether or not existing prior to the effective date of this chapter, that expands the PSES shall require approval under this chapter. Routine maintenance or replacements do not require a permit.
The owner of a PSES shall provide the Township written confirmation that the public utility company to which the PSES will be connected has been informed of the customer's intent to install a grid-connected system.
The PSES owner and/or operator shall maintain a phone number throughout the life of the project for the Middle Smithfield Township Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer to contact with inquiries and verified complaints. The PSES owner and/or operator shall make reasonable efforts to respond to inquiries and complaints from the Township. A contact name, with knowledge of the system, must be provided to Middle Smithfield Township with updates due to employee advancement or turnover.
(2) Ground-mounted PSES.
Security.
The applicant shall provide a copy of the project summary and site plan to local emergency services, including paid or volunteer fire department(s).
The applicant shall cooperate with emergency services to develop and coordinate implementation of an emergency response plan for the principal solar energy system facility.
Decommissioning.
[1] An affidavit, or similar evidence, signed by the property owner and the PSES facility owner affirming a lease agreement with a decommissioning clause (or similar) and a successors and assigns clause. The decommissioning clause must provide sufficient funds to dismantle and remove the PSES, including all solar-related equipment or appurtenances related thereto, including but not limited to buildings, electrical components, roads and other associated facilities from the property. The successors and assigns clause must bind those successors and assigns to the lease agreement.
[2] The PSES owner is required to notify the Township immediately upon cessation or abandonment of the operation. The PSES shall be presumed to be discontinued or abandoned if no electricity is generated by such system for a period of 12 continuous months and the owner has not initiated necessary remedial actions to return the PSES to a generating state. If the PSES owner fails to dismantle and/or remove the PSES within 18 months of cessation or abandonment, the Township may complete the decommissioning at the property owner's expense. The PSES owner must post a bond when the application for such a system is filed with the Township, in an amount determined by the Township's Engineer, to ensure the proper decommissioning.
[3] The PSES owner shall, at the request of the Township, provide information concerning the amount of energy generated by the PSES in the last 12 months.
[4] During the operation of the facility, a new engineer's estimate of cost for decommissioning shall be submitted every 10 years to the Township. Upon approval of the estimated costs by the Township's Engineer, a revised surety shall be provided to the Township in the amount of 150% of the new estimate.
(3) Roof- and wall-mounted PSES.
(a) For roof- and wall-mounted systems, the applicant shall provide evidence that the plans comply with the Uniform Construction Code and adopted building code of the Township that the roof or wall is capable of holding the load imposed on the structure.
