solar energy

The village's land use regulations include a chapter on solar access, adopted to promote the use of solar energy systems, to protect access to sunlight for solar energy systems, and to assure that potentially conflicting interests of individual property owners are accommodated to the greatest extent possible (Sec. 10-8-1).

The ordinance defines several related terms including collector surface, collector use period, impermissible interference, solar collector, and solar energy (Sec. 10-8-2).

Owners who have installed or intend to install a solar collector may apply for a permit. The process involves filling out an application, meeting with the Plan Commission to discuss the application and permit process, paying a fee, and following the procedures for notifying those who may be affected (Sec. 10-8-3). Then a public meeting will be held (Sec. 10-8-4).

The ordinance details when the Village Board should grant the permit and allows them to include conditions on the permit approval (Sec 10-8-5). It also discusses how to appeal the decision (Sec. 10-8-6).

Then the ordinance details how to record the permit, the rights of the permit holder, how to waive all or part of their rights, and when a permit can be terminated (Secs. 10-8-7 - 10-8-10).