Lake County Task Force Encourages Solar Power Installations

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department and 18 local municipalities recently put together a regional Solar Energy Task Force with technical support from solar industry experts, according to a release from the county. The goal of this task force is to discuss best practices in regulating solar installations, as Lake County works on solar energy initiatives designed to increase the availability and use of solar power in the region, according to the release. Solar power is more cost-effective for businesses and residents, and is therefore sparking more and more community interest thanks to new incentives from Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), the county reported.

Task force participants developed a Solar Energy Systems Model Ordinance for communities to use in adopting state-of-the-art solar zoning codes in an effort to accommodate the changes. After the task force finishes, Lake County will move forward with making changes to its zoning code based on the model ordinance, the release said, adding that a public hearing on these proposed amendments will be held at 2 p.m. July 23 at the Lake County Division of Transportation, 600 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville.

"Lake County excited to partner with area municipalities in modernizing regulations to align with emerging solar technology," Hannah Mulroy, Interim Sustainability Manager, said in the release. "We've received interest from many residents and businesses wanting to use solar power, so it's important to have the ability to regulate height and security features and to ensure solar facilities are properly designed and installed. The County’s new ordinance, adapted from the Solar Energy Task Force’s model regulations, will provide clarity on the solar options in the unincorporated areas that can be installed and the path to implementing them. We anticipate that a number of municipalities will be doing the same."

Lake County recently earned the highly coveted SolSmart Bronze Designation, advancing the County's commitment growing solar power throughout the community, the release said. In addition, Lake County is moving forward together with a group of local municipalities in an opportunity to bring solar power to county and municipal facilities, which will result in lower costs while providing renewable energy to power many government facilities throughout Lake County, according to the release.

For more information, visit the Lake County Planning, Building and Development's Solar Energy web page.