By CRAIG FREILICH

North Country Now

POTSDAM -- The Town of Potsdam is considering a moratorium on approval for some solar electric installations so they can devise appropriate building code provisions.

The Town Council has approved a resolution calling for moratorium on such projects that will be presented at a public hearing Jan. 8 at the Town Hall.

The moratorium, if approved after that hearing, would halt for six months consideration of projects for off-site electrical use. During that time period, town officials would research the topic, speak with other towns and villages in the state to see what they are doing, and to get public comment at the hearing.

“The hearing will be to get input from the public, as much as we can from them, because there’s expertise out there as well,” said Supervisor Ann Carvill.

These solar installations are not the usual rooftop solar panel arrays on homes or businesses that produce electricity for use there. The town is looking at arrays that generate power for use or sale off site.

The moratorium will “provide the Board time to engage in the necessary studies, meetings, hearings, environmental review, and other appropriate and necessary actions regarding oversight of the construction and installation of Solar Energy Systems.”

“Nothing herein shall prevent solar panels or solar energy equipment from being developed, constructed or installed on the roof of or within any legally permitted building or structure for the purpose of producing energy primarily for on-site consumption,” the moratorium proposal says.