Solar in Kane County

Solar Statement

Kane County’s Solar Statement expresses the County’s commitment to becoming a more solar-friendly community.

Permitting and Planning, Zoning and Development Regulations

To obtain a permit for a solar installation in unincorporated Kane County, applicants will need to submit the standard Building & Zoning Permit Application along with two attachments:

1. Solar Power Handout - Information Required for Permit Application

2. Required Submittals for Solar Panel Systems

Solar Resources for the Community

Resources for residents:

Illinois Solar Energy Association site
Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar from the U.S. Department of Energy
Homeowners' Solar Rights Act

Solar Panels at Kane Judicial Center

The 2 megawatt solar (2MW) field to will be ready October 13^th at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles Township. This will generate enough energy to save taxpayers $5 million over the next 25 years.

This development will generate over 4.1 million kWh per year and 93 million kWh over the term of the contract. For reference, the average home consumes around 10,000 kWh per year. That means that this project will generate enough energy to power 410 homes per year.

Check out the video of the grand opening of the solar field!

Solar Video

SolSmart in Kane County

In October 2017, Kane County was awarded Bronze-level designation under the SolSmart program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative, SolSmart helps local governments reduce barriers to solar energy growth and make it easier for homes and businesses to go solar.

Solar Goals for Kane County

Through previous planning efforts, Kane County has developed a solid framework of strategies and goals for supporting renewable energy:

Kane County 2040 Energy Plan (adopted in June 2011)

Strategy 3—Encourage on-site renewable energy for residential buildings
Strategy 9—Encourage on-site renewable energy for commercial and industrial buildings

Kane County 2040 Plan—Energy & Sustainability chapter (adopted in May 2012)

Objective 2.9.2—To be a leader and role model in the use of renewable resources within Kane County and throughout the region
Objective 2.9.5—To promote economic development and workforce trained in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry
Objective 2.9.7—To facilitate the siting of smart grid technology and renewable energy infrastructure

Kane County Operational Sustainability Plan (adopted in February 2013)

Strategy F3—Consider purchase or installation of renewable energy for county facility energy use
Action Item F3.1—Research feasibility of renewable energy project on County property
Action Item F3.2—Conduct pilot renewable energy project on County property

Resources for local governments:

SunShot Initiatives’ Solar Energy Resource Center
Grow Solar Local Government Solar Toolkit for Illinois from the Great Plains Institute
Illinois Solar Energy Association’s Municipal Resources page
Google Project Sunroof
DOE State & Local Energy Data
DSIRE database of energy-related policies and incentives in Illinois

Solar Switch Chicagoland

An educational and group purchasing program for residential and small business solar.

Solar Switch Chicagoland Program Surpasses all goals with 132 installations in 2023!

Register for more information for the 2024 summer program by August 7th to be a part of a growing solar community. You can even save more with Residential Clean Energy Credit

In their first year of operation, Solar Switch Chicagoland's newly-installed solar arrays will offset emissions equivalent to approximately 550,000 pounds of coal burned. Collectively, customers will also save an estimated $79,000 in electric bills in the first year alone. Read our press release to learn more.

Watch a short video here on how this program works.
Kane County is working with the Citizens Utility Board and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association to make going solar more affordable.

Attend a Solar Power Hour to learn more!

​Solar in Kane County