La Grange Solar Panel Rules 'Antiquated': Resident

LA GRANGE, IL – A La Grange resident says the village's rules on solar panels are too restrictive, preventing further savings in energy costs.

Maurice McGee, who lives in the 10 block of Sawyer Avenue, told the Village Board this week that the village rejected his original plan for solar panels. It promised to bring a 70 percent cut in energy costs, he said.

The commission ended up signing off on solar panels that would bring him about 40 percent in savings.

"I don't know if it's aesthetics and that you don't want the neighbors knowing you have solar panels on your roof. I'm just not sure," McGee said. "I don't understand why the initial set of plans got turned down."

He said the rules are "antiquated."

"It's 2024. I think the village should come up to speed in a sense when it comes to solar panels and helping the residents save energy costs," McGee said.

Village President Mark Kuchler told McGee that the board had a couple of solar panel issues on its Dec. 9 agenda.

"I think the board will be looking for some direction from the community and staff about amendments that would make sense, best practices and things like that," Kuchler said.

Now, he said, was an "opportune" time to communicate with the board about solar panels.