Solar Permit
It is the responsibility of homeowners and landowners to apply for and receive any construction, building and solar permits before construction begins.
Please contact Zoning Officer Steve by leaving a message at 217-968-5314.
Greenview's Solar Ordinance (passed Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
The village adopts the position codified in 65 ILCS 5/1-1-1 et seq., as amended from time to time, to establish minimum standards governing the condition and maintenance of the buildings, structures and other physical formations in so far as such condition and maintenance may affect the public safety. Pursuant to Art. 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-1-1 et seq.), the village corporate authorities may pass and enforce all necessary ordinances concerning public, health, safety and welfare and, pursuant to Div. 11 thereof (65 ILCS 5/11-11-1 et seq.), the cooperate authorities of each municipality may develop an official comprehensive zoning plan and establish ordinances for the enforcement of the same.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
All prior village zoning ordinances previously having been duly passed and currently in effect shall remain in full force and effect. It is the intent that this subchapter supplements the current zoning ordinance which was previously dully passed as required pursuant to statute by the village.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
(A) Solar energy is a renewable and non-polluting energy resource that can prevent fossil fuel emissions and reduce a municipality’s energy load. Energy generated from solar energy systems can be used to offset energy demand on the grid where excess solar power is generated.
(B) The use of solar energy equipment for the purpose of providing electricity and energy for heating and/or cooling is an option to the residents of the village and the village realizes the necessity and importance on supplementing its current zoning ordinance to include regulations for residents relating to the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE. A structure, the use of which is customarily incidental and subordinate to that of the principal building and is attached thereto and is located on the same lot or premises as the principal building.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS. Structures, equipment, devices or construction techniques used for the production of heat, light, cooling, electricity or other forms of energy on site and may be attached to or separate from the principal structure.
BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC (BIPV) SYSTEMS. A solar energy system that consists of integrating photovoltaic modules into the building structure, such as the roof or the facade and which does not alter the relief of the roof.
FLUSH-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL. Photovoltaic panels and tiles that are installed flush to the surface of a roof and which cannot be angled or raised.
FREESTANDING OR GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A solar energy system that is directly installed in the ground and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure.
PERMIT GRANTING AUTHORITY. The village authority is charged with granting permits for the installation and operation of solar energy systems.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS. A solar energy system that produces electricity by the use of semiconductor devices, called photovoltaic cells, that generate electricity whenever light strikes them.
QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLER.
(1) A person who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of solarelectrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved. Persons who are certified as a solar installer by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) shall be deemed to be QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLERS for the purposes of this definition. Persons who are not on NABCEP’s list of certified installers may be deemed to be QUALIFIED SOLAR INSTALLERS if the village determines such persons have had adequate training to determine the degree and extent of the hazard and the personal protective equipment and job planning necessary to perform the installation safely.
(2) Such training shall include the proper use of special precautionary techniques and personal protective equipment, as well as the skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from other parts of electrical equipment and to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts.
ROOFTOP OR BUILDING-MOUNTED SOLAR SYSTEM. A solar power system in which solarpanels are mounted on top of the structure of a roof either as a flush-mounted system or as modules fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the south at an optimal angle.
SMALL-SCALE SOLAR. Solar photovoltaic systems that produce up to ten kilowatts (kW) per hour of energy or solar-thermal systems which serve the building to which they are attached and do not provide energy for any other buildings.
SOLAR ACCESS. Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade, including the orientation of streets and lots to the sun so as to permit the use of active and/or passive solar energy systems on individual properties.
SOLAR COLLECTOR. A solar photovoltaic cell, panel or array or solar hot air or water collector device, which relies upon solar radiation as an energy source for the generation of electricity or transfer of stored heat.
SOLAR EASEMENT. An easement recorded pursuant to state’s Real Property Law (765 ILCS 5 through 170), the purpose of which is to secure the right to receive sunlight across real property of another for continued access to sunlight necessary to operate a solar collector.
SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENT/SYSTEM (SES).
(1) Solar collectors, controls, energy storage devices, heat pumps, heat exchangers and other materials, hardware or equipment necessary to the process by which solar radiation is collected, converted into another form of energy, stored, protected from unnecessary dissipation and distributed.
(2) Solar systems include solar thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated solar.
SOLAR PANEL. A device for the direct conversion of solar energy into electricity.
SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY. A device that stores energy from the sun and makes it available in an electrical form.
SOLAR-THERMAL SYSTEMS. Solar thermal systems directly heat water or other liquid using sunlight. The heated liquid is used for such purposes as space heating and cooling, domestic hot water and heating pool water.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
(A) The requirements of this subchapter shall apply to all residential solar energy systems modified or installed after the effective date of this subchapter.
(B) Solar energy systems for which a valid permit has been properly issued or for which installation has commenced prior to the effective date of this subchapter shall not be required to meet the requirements of this subchapter.
(C) All solar energy systems shall be designed, erected and installed in accordance with all applicable codes, regulations and standards.
(D) Solar energy collectors shall be permitted only to provide power for use by owners, lessees, tenants, residents or other occupants of the premises on which they are erected.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
(A) General. No solar energy system or device shall be installed or operated in the village, except in compliance with this subchapter.
(B) Rooftop and building-mounted solar collectors. Rooftop and building-mounted solar collectors are permitted in all zoning districts in the village for residential use only and subject to the following.
(1) Building permits shall be required for installation of all freestanding or ground-mounted solarcollectors and all rooftop and building-mounted solar collectors.
(2) Height limitations for any system shall not exceed the height as is reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose for which they are intended to serve, but in no event shall any freestanding or ground-mounted systems exceed five feet in height at full tilt, any rooftop or structure-mounted solarsystems shall not exceed 24 inches in height and either structure should only be erected so as not to obstruct solar access to neighboring properties.
(C) Flat rooftop exception. Placement of solar collectors on flat roofs shall be allowed to exceed the height restrictions herein previously mentioned if panels do not extend horizontally past the roofline.
(D) Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. BIPV systems are permitted in all residential zoning districts.
(E) Ground-mounted and freestanding solar collectors. Ground-mounted and freestanding solarcollectors are permitted as accessory structures in all residential zoning districts of the village, subject to the following conditions.
(1) Building permits are required for the installation of all solar collectors regardless of whether installed on the ground or on a rooftop or building.
(2) The location of the solar collector meets all applicable setback requirements stated herein: no system or any part thereof shall be constructed closer than eight feet to any lot line.
(3) Solar energy equipment shall be located in a manner to reasonably minimize view from neighboring lots and blockage for surrounding properties and shading of property to the north, while still providing adequate solar access for collectors.
(4) Freestanding or ground-mounted solar energy collectors shall be fenced by architectural features, earth berms, fencing, landscaping or other screening which is typical and customary with the property and surrounding area.
(F) Solar-thermal systems. Solar-thermal systems are permitted in residential zoning districts subject to the following condition: building permits are required for the installation of all solar-thermal systems.
(G) Safety risks. Solar energy systems and equipment shall be permitted only if they are determined by the village not to present any unreasonable safety risks, including, but not limited to, the following: ingress or egress in the event of fire or other emergency.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
(A) All solar collector installations must be performed by a qualified solar installer.
(B) Prior to operation, electrical connections must be inspected by a certified electrician and proof thereof shall be provided to the village.
(C) Any connection to a public utility grid must be inspected by the appropriate public utility and the results of such inspection shall be provided to the village.
(D) Solar energy systems shall be maintained in good working order.
(E) If solar storage batteries are included as part of the solar collector system, they must be placed in a secure container or enclosure when in use and when no longer used shall be disposed of in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state and other applicable laws and regulations.
(F) If a solar collector ceases to perform its originally intended function for more than 12 consecutive months, the property owner shall remove the collector, mount and associated equipment by no later than 90 days after the end of the 12-month period.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)
(A) If an individual is found to be in violation of the provisions of this subchapter, violations should be addressed in accordance with the established procedures of the village code.
(B) If a building permit for a solar energy device is denied because of a conflict with other goals of the village, the applicant may seek relief from the village as indicated in the zoning appeals ordinance previously duly passed.
(Ord. 567, passed 11-6-2023)