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H. Required Performance Standards <br /> 1. Visual:Impact Mitigation—The site plan for a ground-mountedsolar energy;system shall be <br /> designed to screen the array to the maximum extent practicable year round from adjacent <br /> properties in residential.use. Planting of vegetative screening shall be completed prior to <br /> final approval of the solar energy system by the Consulting Engineer. <br /> 2. Where abutting a property in residential use, all required setbacks shall be left in their <br /> undisturbed natural vegetated condition for the duration of the solar energysystem's <br /> installation. <br /> 3. Lighting—Lighting of ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be limited to that required <br /> for safety and operational purposes, and shall be reasonably shielded from abutting <br /> properties. Lighting shall be directed downward and shall incorporate full.cut-off fixtures to <br /> reduce Fight pollution. <br /> 4. Signage—Signs on ground-mounted solar energy systems shall comply with all applicable <br /> regulations of this bylaw.A sign shall be required to identify the owner, operator and <br /> interconnected utility and provide a 24-hour emergency contact phone.number. Ground- <br /> mounted solar energy systems shall not be used for displaying any advertising signage. <br /> 5.. Utility Connections—Within setback distances and except where soil conditions, location, <br /> property shape, and topography of the site or requirements of the utility provider prevent <br /> it, all utility connections from grid-intertie solar energy systems shall be placed <br /> underground. Electrical transformers for utility interconnections may be above ground if <br /> required by the utility provider. <br /> 6.. Vegetation Management.—All land associated with the ground-mounted solar.energy <br /> system shall be covered and grown in natural vegetation.The height of vegetation must be <br /> managed by regular mowing or grazing so as to minimize the amount and height of <br /> combustible material available in case of fire. Herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers <br /> shall not be used to manage vegetation.To the greatest extent practicable, a diversity of <br /> plant species shall be used,with preference given to species that are native to New England. <br /> Use of plants identified by the most recent copy of the "Massachusetts Prohibited Plant <br /> List" maintained by the.Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is prohibited. <br /> 7. Noise Generation— Noise generated by ground-mounted solar energy systems and <br /> associated equipment and machinery shall conform to applicable state and local noise <br /> regulations, including the DEP's Division of Air Quality noise regulations, 310 CMR 7.10. <br /> 8. Fencing—Fencing around solar arrays shall provide a minimum 6" clearance between the <br /> fence bottom.and the ground to allow passage of small wildlife. The Planning Board shall <br /> require residential style fencing where necessary to screen the solar energy systems year <br /> round from adjacent residences. <br />