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Planning Board reviews draft solar ordinance; members ask Fire Chief input and state guidance
Summary
The Planning Board reviewed a detailed draft solar ordinance prepared by visitor Jean Kluk, discussing utility interconnection limits, battery and fire-safety inspections, impervious-surface treatment, screening for glare and decommissioning of panels. Members requested further research and a meeting with the Fire Chief before additional drafting.
The Washington Planning Board spent the bulk of its Aug. 4 meeting considering a draft solar ordinance presented by visitor Jean Kluk, who circulated research on state rules, interconnection limits and inspection needs. Kluk told the board that small “plug-in” solar devices recently allowed by the state are limited to roughly 1,200 watts, must be UL certified and include a shut-off device, and that residential interconnection is commonly limited to 100 kW while larger commercial connections use different utility procedures. "Plug-in" solar and utility limits, she said, mean the town must align local language with state and utility rules.
Board members repeatedly returned to safety and enforceability. Piatt said the town should prioritize public-safety concerns and be cautious about adding vague aesthetic rules; Peel and Caffrey pressed for clearer definitions on how ground-mounted arrays count toward impervious-surface limits and for stronger screening or glare protections. Kluk agreed to meet with the Fire Chief to develop a checklist of fire-safety inspection points for rooftop and battery systems and to research state guidance on impervious-surface treatment and model ordinances. The board did not adopt final language and directed Kluk to revise the draft with the Fire Chief’s input for a future meeting.
