Community Development Department

A Commercial Solar Energy Facility or Commercial Solar Energy System is defined as any device or assembly of devices that is ground installed and uses solar energy from the sun for generating electricity for the primary purpose of wholesale or retail sale and not primarily for consumption on the property.

Commercial Solar Energy Facilities are considered Special Uses in the F-Farming Zoning District in Kane County and require a Special Use Permit (ZO Section 25-8-1-2). They are considered permitted uses in the I-Industrial District. 

Battery Systems are not currently identified as a specific use in the Zoning Ordinance. They are currently being processed as either 1) an accessory to a Special Use Permit in the F-Farming District for a Commercial Solar Energy Facility, or 2) a permitted use in the I-Industrial District. 

Section 25-5-4-9 of the Kane County Zoning Ordinance regulates Commercial Solar Energy Facilities. The County does not currently have an ordinance specific to Battery Energy Storage Systems. 

To reference past and in-progress solar project submittals, visit the Zoning Petitions page of the Kane County website.