The following terms shall apply to this chapter as written unless context indicates or requires a different meaning:
ACCESSORY. As applied to a building, structure or use, on which is on the same lot with the main or principal structure or the main or principal use; either
detached from or attached to the main or principal structure, and is subordinate to and used for purposes customarily incidental to the main or principal structure or the main or principal use.
BUILDING INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS. A solar energy system that consists of integrating photovoltaic modules into the building structure as the roof, or facade and which does not alter the relief of the roof.
COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY BUILDING PERMIT. A permit necessary for the commencement of work performed toward the construction, erection or installation of an approved commercial solar energy facility, substation, supporting facilities, or operations and maintenance building in connection with a commercial solar energy facility. A commercial solar energy building permit may be issued by the Zoning Administrator after a commercial solar energy facility has obtained a siting permit from the County Board and the Zoning Administrator determines that all conditions, if any, have been satisfied that are imposed by the siting permit.
COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY. A commercial solar energy system as defined in Section 10-720 of the Property Tax Code. COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY does not mean a utility-scale solar energy facility being constructed at a site that was eligible to participate in a procurement event conducted by the Illinois Power Agency pursuant to subsection (c-5) of Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.
COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS. A community solar-electric (photovoltaic) array, up to 2MW in size (10 - 12 acres), that provides retail electric power (or financial proxy for retail power) to multiple households or businesses residing in or located off-site from the location of the solar energy system.
FACILITY OWNER. (i) A person with a direct ownership interest in a commercial solar energy facility, regardless of whether the person is involved in acquiring the necessary rights, permits, and approvals or otherwise planning for the construction and operation of the facility; and (ii) at the time the facility is being developed, a person who is acting as a developer of the facility by acquiring the necessary rights, permits, and approvals or by planning for the construction and operation of the facility, regardless of whether the person will own or operate the facility.
GROUND MOUNT SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A solar energy system that is directly installed into the ground and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure.
NON-PARTICIPATING PROPERTY. Real property that is not a participating property.
NON-PARTICIPATING RESIDENCE. A residence that is located on nonparticipating property and that is existing and occupied on the date that an application for a permit to develop the commercial solar energy facility is filed with the county.
OCCUPIED COMMUNITY BUILDING. Any one or more of the following buildings that is existing and occupied on the date that the application for a permit to develop the commercial solar facility is filed with the county: a school, place of worship, day care facility, public library, or community center.
PARTICIPATING PROPERTY. Real property that is the subject of a written agreement between a facility owner and the owner of the real property that provides the facility owner an easement, option, lease, or license to use the real property for the purpose of constructing a commercial solar energy facility or supporting facilities. PARTICIPATING PROPERTY also includes real property that is owned by a facility owner for the purpose of constructing a commercial solar energy facility or supporting facilities.
PARTICIPATING RESIDENCE. A residence that is located on participating property and that is existing and occupied on the date that an application for a permit to develop the commercial solar energy facility is filed with the county.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM. A solar energy system that produces electricity by the use of semiconductor devices called photovoltaic cells that generate electricity whenever light strikes them.
PROTECTED LANDS. Real property that is: (i) subject to a permanent conservation right consistent with the Real Property Conservation Rights Act; or (ii) registered or designated as a nature preserve, buffer, or land and water reserve under the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLER. A trained and qualified electrical professional who has the skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of solar electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved.
ROOF MOUNT. A solar energy system in which solar panels are mounted on top of a building roof as either a flush mounted system or as modules fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the south at an optical angle.
SOLAR ACCESS. Unobstructed access to direct sunlight on a lot or building through the entire year, including access across adjacent parcel air rights, for the purpose of capturing direct sunlight to operate a solar energy system.
SOLAR COLLECTOR. A device, structure or part of a device or structure for which the primary purpose is to transform solar radiant energy into thermal, mechanical, chemical or electrical energy.
SOLAR ENERGY. Radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat or light by a solar collector.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (SES). The components and subsystems required to convert solar energy into electric or thermal energy suitable for use. The area of the system includes all the land inside the perimeter of the system, which extends to any fencing. The term applies, but is not limited to, solar photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems and solar hot water systems.
SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY/UNIT. A component of a solar energy device that is used to store solar general electricity or heat for later use.
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS. Solar thermal system directly heats water or other liquid using sunlight. The heated liquid is use for such purposes as space heating and cooling, domestic hot water and heating pool water.
SUBSCRIBER. Households or businesses receiving the direct benefit of electric power generated by a Community Solar Garden.
SUPPORTING FACILITIES. The transmission lines, substations, access roads, meteorological towers, storage containers, and equipment associated with the generation and storage of electricity by the commercial solar energy facility.
(Res. 2019-01, passed 3-21-2019; Ord. passed 4-21-2022; Res. 23-10, passed 5-18-2023; Ord. passed 11-28-2023)