Ground mount and roof mount (SES) shall be permitted by a building permit in all zoning districts where there is a principal structure. An application shall be submitted to the Community Development Administrator demonstrating compliance with §§ 157.505 through 157.508, in addition to the following requirements below:
(A) Height.
(1) Building or roof mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum allowed height for principal structures in any zoning district.
(2) Ground or pole-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 20 feet in height which oriented at maximum tilt.
(B) Setbacks.
(1) Ground mounted solar energy systems shall meet the accessory structure setbacks for the zoning district in which the unit is located.
(2) Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not extend beyond the side yard or rear yard setback when oriented at minimum design tilt.
(3) In addition to building setbacks, the collector surface and mounting devises for roof mounted systems shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the systems is mounted or built, unless the collector or mounting system has been engineered to safely extend beyond the edge, and setback requirements are not violated. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a side yard exposure.
(C) Reflection angles. Reflection angles for solar collectors shall be oriented such that they do not project glare onto adjacent properties.
(D) Aviation protection. For solar units located within 500 feet of an airport or within approach zones of an airport, the applicant shall complete and provide the results of the solar glaze hazard analysis tool (SGHAT) for the airport traffic control tower cab and final approach paths, consistent with the Interim Policy, FAA Review of Solar Energy Projects on Federal Obligated Airports, or most recent version adopted by the FAA.
(E) Visibility. Solar energy systems shall be located in a manner to reasonably minimize view blockage for surrounding properties and shading of property to the north while still providing adequate solar access for collectors.
(F) Safety.
(1) Roof or building mounted solar energy systems, excluding building integrated systems, shall allow for adequate roof access for firefighting purposes to the south facing or flat roof upon which the panels are mounted.
(2) Roof or building mounted solar energy systems shall meet the requirements of the County Building and Property Maintenance Code.
(3) All solar energy systems shall be performed by a qualified solar installer.
(4) Any connection to the public utility grid shall be inspected by the appropriate public utility.
(5) All solar energy systems shall be maintained and kept in good working order. If it is determined by the Community Development Administrator that a solar energy system is not being maintained, kept in good working order, or is no longer being utilized to perform its intended for six consecutive months, the property owner shall be given a 30-day notice for removal of the unit and all equipment. If the solar energy system is not removed within 30 days, the Community Development Administrator shall issue a notice of violation and notice to appear before the County Hearing Officer as an ordinance violation.
(G) Approved solar components. Electric solar energy system components shall have a UL listing or approved equivalent and solar hot water systems shall have an SRCC rating.
(H) Restrictions on solar energy systems limited. Consistent with 765 ILCS 165, no homeowner’s agreement, covenant, common interest community or other contracts between multiple property owners within a subdivision of unincorporated county shall prohibit or restrict homeowners from installing solar energy systems.
(Ord. LU-17-03, passed 5-31-2017; Res. LU-20-02, passed 1-29-2020) Penalty, see § 156.99