Upper Moreland To Review Solar Energy Ordinance

Upper Moreland considered a draft ordinance to regulate solar energy in the township at its latest meeting on April 13, according to a Montgomery News report.

Members of the Community Development Committee discussed the ordinance and raised several questions before referring it back to the township solicitor for more work, the report states.

The report identifies two key types of solar power being considered:

Two types of solar collection systems were identified in the draft ordinance, he explained. On the one hand, an “accessory solar energy system” would be intended primarily for on-site energy consumption, with a “rated capacity” of no more than 10 killowatts and a “storage capacity” not to exceed 240 gallons. Under the draft ordinance, accessory solar energy systems would be “permitted by right in all residential zones,” although ground-mounted units would be subject to setback and yard requirements.

By contrast, a “principal solar energy production facility” was defined as “an area of land or roof principally used to capture solar energy and convert it to electricity to be used or sold for off-site facilities.” The draft ordinance would be allowed by right in Industrial and Small Industrial zoning districts, subject to all other “setback, yard and height limitations.”

Officials said they were not aware as of yet of any plans for solar farms.