Staff Writer

The future of energy in Scarborough is blowing in the wind.

On tax day, Scarborough Town Council heard a first reading of proposed amendments to include subsections of the zoning ordinance to allow and regulate both small wind energy systems and solar energy systems.

Town Planner Dan Bacon said the amendments would give an opportunity for residents and business owners to explore alternative energy usage.

Bacon said the ordinance committee first looked at proposed amendments a year ago, however, because of a change in councilors after elections, amendments were not addressed until this winter.

Under the proposed amendments, one small wind energy system would be allowed per lot, and would be designed and constructed to only generate energy for the building on the same lot. The system would be limited to 100 feet, and set back 110 percent of the system’s height from all property lines.

The only exemption from space and bulk rules would be wind energy systems located on property owned by the town.

Allowable wind system towers would be monopoles. The color of the tower would be a non-reflective neutral color, such as white or light gray. It would also not be allowed to have any signs or other forms of advertising except warning, directional or manufacturing labels.

According to the proposed amendments, all climbing apparatus on wind system towers must be no higher than 15-feet from the ground and blades cannot rotate within 20-feet of the ground at the lowest point.

For noise control, all wind systems would be equipped with an automatic brake to control the rotation of blades and prevent over-speeding. The systems would be designed and operated to not exceed 55 decibels. 

Up to three small wind energy systems may be allowed by the planning board within the common open space of a residential subdivision, as long as each meets the 110 percent setback requirement, does not impact wetlands or conservation subdivisions and complies with all performance standards.

For solar energy systems, proposed amendments include performance standards for both roof and building-mounted solar systems, as well as ground-mounted solar systems, also known as solar arrays.

Roof and building solar systems would have to conform to maximum building height restrictions within each zoning district. The roof and building system would also be designed, installed and used to generate electricity, hot water, or heat for the building located on the same lot.

The maximum height for a ground mounted solar system would be 20-feet – measured from the ground to the highest point of the system’s pedestal. It would also conform to the yard requirements of the zoning district or be set back a distance equal to the total height of the system. Any electrical wiring and connections from the system to the building would be underground.

According to proposed amendments, the code enforcement officer may issue a building permit for the installation of solar or small wind energy systems as long as performance standards are met.

Bacon said ideas for amendments came from current standards set by Saco and Cape Elizabeth, but formed to fit Scarborough. 

Councilor Judy Roy said she is in favor of the amendments, and said the council will soon establish an energy conservation and sustainability committee to search for other ways the town can conserve energy.

Roy said she has found ways to save money in her own home by using more insulation, lowering the thermostat during the day and turning it up at night and using compact fluorescent lightbulbs. She said the combination of  changes has dropped her electric bill from about $150 per month two years ago to $60 dollars per month six months ago.

Roy said the town should take charge of finding alternative energy sources.

“I think we need to do an aggressive energy audit,” she said. 

Council Chairman Mike Wood said the proposed amendments are more of a sign of the times than any one person backing the idea of conserving energy. “It’s just a recognition that folks may want to explore their own electricity,” Wood said.

Bacon said there have been about a dozen inquiries about the process of obtaining a permit of small wind energy systems and solar energy systems. He said there will be a public hearing on the amendments at the next planning board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 27 at town hall.

Staff writer Dave Dyer can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 219.